New Cambrian Rally talent trophy named after tragically kille fan

Oct 15 2009 by Dan Owen, North Wales Weekly News

A NEW award at this weekend’s Cambrian Rally will be presented in memory of a fan who tragically lost his life earlier this year.

John Phillips, 69, of Craig y Don, Llandudno, was killed watching the Harry Flatters Rally at Dixies Corner, near Sennybridge, Mid Wales in August, when he was hit by a car that lost control.

John was the husband of Weekly News reporter Judith Phillips and the newspaper has now introduced the John Phillips Memorial Award in his memory.

Dad-of-two John was very keen to see young talent flourish in the world of motorsport and, taking this in mind, the award will be presented to the best placed driver under the age of 25.

They will be presented with the award by current World Rally Championship leader Mikko Hirvonen.

Hirvonen will be driving the Cambrian Rally as a warm-up to the upcoming title-deciding Rally of Great Britain.

John had been a big fan of the Finnish driver, and met him when he last drove the Cambrian course back in 2002.

Judith said: “John used to rally a Ford Anglia himself and was always a fan of the Ford Rally Team.

“As the World Rally Championship leader it is such an honour for him to be presenting the John Phillips Memorial Award on our behalf.”

Weekly News Executive Editor Dan Owen said: “Everyone was deeply touched and saddened by John’s tragic death and we are delighted to be able to honour his memory with the John Phillips Memorial Award.

“He was held in such high regard by all who knew him, both in and out of the motorsport world.

“To have the current World Rally Championship leader present the trophy is a wonderful gesture on Mikko Hirvonen’s part.”

The one-day rally will start and end in Llandudno on Saturday with much of the race taking place in the Conwy Valley.

It is a 45 mile five-stage rally through the challenging Welsh forests of Clocaenog and Penmachno.

In 2002 the Cambrian was won by Mikko Hirvonen in a WRC Subaru Impreza.