Arron Newby got the better on Elliot Payne as the pair had an almighty battle at the Woodpecker Stages Rally. Leading during the morning loop, Perry Gardner led the first three stages by 14 seconds ahead of Payne.
At the halfway point of the day you’ve thought that this would be an easy day for the Fiesta R5 driver. However on Stage 4 the control arm snapped and he was forced to retire the car.
In warm conditions, the second loop continued at pace with Payne & Elliot trading times throughout the session.
By Stage 7 and the lead went back to Newby and there was nothing to separate them as it was 6 seconds going into the final stage of the event.
On Stage 8 they gave it there all. Both drivers wanted this event for the bragging rights. Despite Payne winning the final stage it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Newby & Co-Driver Jamie Edwards won by just 3 seconds over Payne & Tom Woodburn.
In the Welsh National class, Rob Wilson/Richard Crozier were 4 seconds behind going into the final stage and came out the victors in the Pirelli Motorsport Welsh Rally Championship standings by 6 seconds (3rd overall) after a long and hard day of competition.
Russ Thompson/Stephen Link were 2nd, having had to ease off with an overheating engine and no anti-lag on the last two stages. They reached the end of the event with the water temp at 130°C.
Bob Morgan/Ade Willlams took 3rd place Welsh points, despite a bad misfire on the run to the finish.
