Reigning Welsh Rally champion Matt Hirst stormed to a scintillating National win at Saturday’s Rally North Wales and the opening round of the Welsh Rally Championship.
Hirst, and co-driver Declan Dear blasted their Fiesta R5 to a commanding national category win. Taking seven stage wins in a fine display, during what would be a difficult day of competition for many crews.
Organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club, Rally North Wales had attracted some of the biggest championships in the UK, with the Fuchs Lubricants Motorsport UK British Historic Rally Championship contenders utilising the National event and contenders in the Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally, ANWCC Forest Rally Championship and Bowler Defender Challenge contesting the Interclub section.
Alan Carmichael/Claire Williams finished second overall with Kevin Proctor/Jamie Edwards in third. David Tomlin & Keith Ashley was forth with Colin Minton & Bonnie Papper rounding off the top 5.
Defending Hockly Motorsport-supported Welsh 2WD champions Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees won the Welsh 2WD category.
The next round will take place on April 15th for The Rallynuts Stages Rally. Organised by Midland Manor Motor Club, the 44-mile gravel event will take in classic stages in Myherin, Sarnau, Sweet Lamb and Hafren forests to test competitors to the limit.
Top 5 finishers in registered class
1. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Ford Fiesta R5+)….48mins 27secs
2. Richard Gough/Paul Morris (Ford Escort Mk2)….52mins 06secs
3. Richard Jordan/James Gratton-Smith (Ford Escort Mk2)….52mins 18secs
4. Simon Rogers/Jack Bowen (Mitsubishi Evo6)….52mins 33secs
5. Rudi Lancaster/Guy Weaver (Ford Escort Mk2)….52mins 45secs
Top 5 points finishers in registered class
1. Matthew Hirst….30pts
2. Richard Gough….27pts
3. Richard Jordan….25pts
4. Simon Rogers….24pts
5. Rudi Lancaster….23pts
