Motor sport: Llandudno driver wins award

Dec 23 2010

LLANDUDNO rally hero Matt Edwards rounded off a memorable 2010 season by being presented with a major accolade.

Edwards received the Maximum Attack award, chosen by the panel at the BTRDA Rally Championship, during the end of season presentations at Moor Hall, Sutton Coldfield.

This was a welcome addition to the talented Welshman’s already impressive list of achievements for 2010, including winning the BTRDA 1400 and MG ZR Championships, and the MSA English Championship in the Swift Group supported 586 Sport MG ZR.

He also gained an overall victory on the Mid-Wales Stages back in June in a hired Geoff Jones Motorsport N12 Impreza.

"2010 was the fourth year I’ve been doing BTRDA events, and I have always had my eye on this particular award, so it really is the icing on the cake for what has been a memorable season for us," explained Edwards, who won five out of a possible eight rounds of this year’s BTRDA 1400 Series, and claimed a spectacular double of fourth fastest stage times overall en route to a top 10 overall result on the Cambrian Rally – a notable performance that caught the eye of more than just the BTRDA selection panel.

Despite consistent performances over the past three years and fastest 1400 car on a remarkable 70% of the stages in the 2010 BTRDA season, the determined young driver still faces an uphill struggle to progress to higher profile events in 2011.

"We have our aspirations set on doing the British Rally Championship in 2011, and have a great deal on offer from 586 Sport to continue with them towards our goals, but we still face a large shortfall in the budget required for the season with just over two months till the first event in Bournemouth," added Edwards.

"We are working non-stop to try and get things in place, and we are very grateful to the Swift Group and Speedline Wheels who have pledged support for 2011 so far."

The deal would see the all-conquering duo of Edwards and navigator Sam Collis using a S1600 Suzuki Swift for the season, with a view to tackling the revitialised "F2" Championship within the BRC for two-wheel drive machinery.

This would also mark Edwards’ first attempt at an international status event.

"Of course, if we look beyond the obstacles we still face to do the whole championship, I’m very much looking forward to the opportunity to do these events, and to driving a car as exciting as the Swift," added the Llandudno speedster.

"The longer events and making my own notes on a recce will be big challenges, but I’m keen to keep improving and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved on low budgets – and if there’s a will to succeed there’s certainly a way to do it."

Edwards and Collis thank all involved in their 2010 successes and would invite any interested parties to contact them at merallysport@btinternet.com, where 2011 proposals and promotional material will be available.