The British Historic Rally Championship makes its only foray of the season onto asphalt this weekend (Sunday 30 July) as it heads to the Tour of Epynt for the fourth round of 2023.
The sealed surface event takes place entirely on the Epynt Military Ranges in Mid Wales with almost 70 miles of the infamous moorland roads to contend with, and with three compelling rounds of the BHRC complete, it could well throw up some surprises as it tests some of the quickest historic drivers to the limit.
The series hasn’t been on asphalt since 2021, and with the summer break complete, the race for the coveted title will undoubtedly begin to hot up. Several have elected to skip the tar and concentrate on the remaining gravel events, however, that hasn’t diminished the quality of entry in the slightest.
Fresh from winning his first British Historic Rally Championship round since 2011 at the Plains Rally in May, Richard Tuthill leads the contingent away in his Porsche 911.
Making his full-time rallying comeback this season, Tuthill has shown impressive pace, but Epynt marks his first sealed surface event since 2014. He will be joined by Stephane Prevot in the co-driver’s seat.
Just a few miles from his hometown of Builth Wells, Jason Pritchard is no stranger to the military roads and equipped with a brand-new Scott Williams Motorsport Ford Escort MKII, could well be the man to beat.
He and co-driver Phil Clarke have bedded themselves back into the historic category progressively this season, and the switch to familiar asphalt could net a top result.
Roger Chilman and Patrick Walsh came within a whisker of their third win of the season on the Plains Rally, but their charge ended on the final stage with an off-road excursion. This weekend gives the chance for redemption, but the duo will also be mindful of the championship as they hustle their Ford Escort MKII over the ranges.
Usually found running top-flight R5 rally cars, Melvyn Evans makes a surprise appearance in the BHRC, driving an Escort MKII. Sporadic outings in Ireland mean he is no stranger to Historic machinery, but his pace against the regulars is perhaps uncharted. Sion Williams will co-drive.
It’s Nick Elliott who sits at the top of the BHRC standings, but only thirteen points cover the top four places, meaning those positions could well change by the time the champagne is sprayed on Sunday night.
