Motorsport: Drivers gear up for Cambrian Rally

Oct 6 2011

THIS weekend’s Cambrian Rally has attracted some of the UK’s leading motorsport stars to North Wales but there will also be plenty of home-grown talent on display vying for top honours.

And the reintroduction of the iconic Marine Drive stage around the Great Orme, which will also be used on Wales Rally GB when it starts in Llandudno in November, adds an extra dimension to the North Wales Car Club organised event.

The Cambrian starts on Llandudno promenade at 8am on Saturday and takes in classic special-timed stages in the Penmachno and Clocaenog forests before returning to the finish on the promenade in the late afternoon.

After an excellent start to the season driving his own MG ZR in the BRC Challenge, Llandudno-based Matt Edwards saw his bid for the title crumble due to mechanical problems, but determined to put in a good performance in his home event he will tackle the Cambrian in a hired Subaru Impreza in the hope of finishing with a flourish. 

On last year’s event his storming drive through the Penmachno forestry stages put him up with the very best and he will target a top five finish.

“The season started really well with some excellent results but things went downhill after mechanical problems with the ZR, however I have got a competitive car for the Cambrian and it would be great to finish the season with a good result in my home event,” he said.

Ffestiniog’s Ieuan Rowlands is always a crowd pleaser who gives 100% and he will be another hoping local knowledge serves him well. 

On last year’s event axle failure forced him to retire after the first stage but he’s hoping for better fortune this time. He will be hoping to lead the two-wheel drive field home in his Volvo-engined MK2 Escort, in which he will be partnered by fellow Bala and District Motor Club member Emyr Hall from Cerrigydrudion.

Friendly sibling rivalry will also be resumed when Ieuan’s brother John makes his return to rallying after a six-year lay-off in another Rowlands Rallying prepared MK2 Ford Escort.

And Rob Jones from Mochdre will be out to beat his own record.  This is the North Wales Car Club member’s 24th entry on the Cambrian in the same car – a 1275cc British Leyland Mini. 

A regular award winner on the event, Jones’ record of 24 consecutive starts in his home-prepared car is unlikely ever to be beaten.

The 130-strong field will be led away from the start in Llandudno on Saturday morning  by Herefordshire driver Andy Burton in his unique Peugeot Cosworth who has put in some fantastic performances on previous Cambrians. 

He has already clinched this year’s British Trials and Rally Drivers’ Association (BTRDA) Gold Star Championship, but says this is his last chance to win the Cambrian in the Peugeot, which will be  retired at the end of the year due to a change in regulations. He also wants to make the Cambrian his sixth BTRDA win of the season.

And a competitor to watch out for will be Welsh rally legend Nicky Grist, co-driving for Phil Collins in an Opel Ascona.  

There are designated spectator points on all the rally stages and they will be clearly signposted. 

Details can be found on the event website at www.cambrianrally.co.uk