New Association for Rally Challenge with Bala DMC

Rally Challenge promoters are delighted to be associated with Bala DMC for the first time for Round 5, the Minafon Garage / Terraclean Gareth Hall Memorial Rally. This sociable event takes place on the Trawsfynydd Ranges and comprises of 12 short stages, with staying on site permitted the night before. Entries open on Wednesday 27th July at 20.00. The Rally has always presented generous cheques to Wales Air Ambulance with this year, a place in the co-drivers seat alongside Geoff Jones in his Chevette being ‘raffled’ to help raise funds. Regulations, the Entry Form and full details are available at https://www.balamotorclub.co.uk/pages/ghpage3.htm

To Finish First, First You Have To Finish

Escott is “King For A Week”!

After taking the courageous step of making his rallying debut on the notoriuos winding roads of Epynt earlier this year, Leighton Escott was the only driver in his class to survive on Pembrokeshire M.C’s  Bob Shaw memorial Brawdy Stages, earning him the Rally Challenge lead. Tom Llewellin made his Ford Fiesta Rally 2 debut on the British Rally Championship section of the Nicky Grist Stages to re-take the top spot, with Class victory and an impressive fourth overall.

For current scores click here.

Whiteley ‘At Home’ On Overseas Event

Isle of Man’s Liam Whiteley took maximum points recently on the Manx Rally to top the co-drivers leader board in the current Rally Challenge standings. Nominating the rally as his optional overseas round, he and Maxx Bradshaw secured first in their class allowing Liam to take the top spot from Llanelli’s Avarina Jeffreys. The crew had a close shave on the infamous Sartfield Hairpin, narrowly avoiding rolling their Mitsubishi Evo 3. (Picured).

Tom’s On Top

With impressive finishes in the Mitsubishi Mirage on gravel on the Rallynuts Stages and on the winding roads of the Tour of Epynt in a Mk.2 Escort, Tom Llewellin holds a slim lead over Huw Jeffreys.  See full report from the Tour of  Epynt here and you can see current scores here.

Double Take

With IPS crews using their optional overseas event before Round One of the Rally Challenge takes place, it is by coincidence that two drivers compete in Rothmans replica Mk.2 Escorts a thousand miles apart. After giving his newly built car a shakedown on the Lloret de Mar Rally in February, contenders Tom Coughtrie and Ian Fraser took to the startline on the recent Mallorca Classico. Once up above Puerto Portals the crew faced slippery conditions with rain and fog on the mountain roads and clinched a respectable 8^th overall and 3^rd in class.

St. Patricks weekend saw the pilgrimage to the small town of Clonakilty in Southern Ireland for the West Cork Rally, and amongst those competing is newly joined Maesteg and District Motor Club member Berian Richards. Although competing mainly in Ireland and not making a serious bid for the Rally Challenge title, Berrian has signed up to help raise the profile of our charity, Wales Air Ambulance.

See Current Scores here for points awarded on both these Rallies.

The Rally Challenge lends its support to the Lions Cup

The Committee of Maesteg DMC have decided to give the new Peugeot Championship a kickstart by allowing it to mirror the Rally Challenge Calendar. The Championship, which started mid Summer in 2021 was dogged by inevitable event cancellations and with no firm plans yet in place for this year, was hopeful of resuming in 2023. The Lions Cup 2022 will be promoted by Swansea Motor Club. Read more here.

Hertfordshire Crew are First to Sign Up for 2022

With full Rally Challenge details due to be announced by the new Year, Martyn Andrews and Steve Greenhill have already registered for IPS Paint Rally Challenge with the aim of taking the title. For their story, please click here.

Photos by Chicane Media

Claire’s Rallying Masterpieces

For the first time since the inception of the Rally Challenge back in 2013, we have the pleasure of welcoming a Guest Writer. We invited Ammanford Co-driver Claire Williams who was our inaugural Rally Challenge Champion to give us a detailed insight into the background of her extraordinary artistic talent which she combines with her passion for the sport.

Read Claire’s full article here.

Newton Duo Shake Off The Cobwebs

The uncle and niece crew of Malcolm Bayliss and Siobhan Pugh continue their rallying comeback with a trek to Ludlow for the Woodpecker Stages. They are hoping for better luck, as their first post- pandemic event, the Builth Wells based Nicky Grist Stages, didn’t go as planned when their immaculate Mk. 1 Escort developed clutch problems.

Siobhan took both the Overall and Junior Rally Challenge Champion titles back in 2016, and realising that the Challenge now has a new title, Malcolm approached Challenge Organisers with an offer. The car and Siobhan’s portrait picture appeared on two of the now redundant publicity banners and as a surprise gift for Siobhan and to adorn his garage, he asked if he could obtain them for her in exchange for a generous donation to our chosen Charity, Wales Air Ambulance. The Maesteg DMC Committee were only too happy to oblige.

Siobhan’s partner Arwel Jenkins had success in 2019, clinching the Maesteg and District Motor Club Champion Co-drivers title for which his prize included cash and a Club Rally Jacket. Arwel, who has competed with many teams, kindly asked that Siobhan could take the prize, (as pictured).