Defending Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh rally champions Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear will be aiming for a third straight win on the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages (Saturday 13 April) when the series leaders contest the event in their Delta Salvage/Witham Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5.
Although they’ll face stiff competition from the likes of Perry Gardener/Jack Bowen, who return to the series in their TNT AGRI Fiesta R5, and Dan O’Brien/Mark Glennerster, who finished second on Round 1 in their O’Brien Group Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
Hirst started his title defence in style with a commanding victory on the recent Get Jerky Rally North Wales, but there is a long way between now and what the Doncaster ace hopes will be a record-breaking fourth Pirelli Welsh title – and there are plenty of drivers out to stop him.
Gardener is always quick in the Welsh forests and took home third-placed Pirelli Welsh points the last time he did the Rallynuts in 2022. Jack Bowen meanwhile will be aiming to extend his lead at the top of the OnThePaceNote / Restruct Welsh Junior co-drivers’ standings, having navigated for Simon Rogers on the opening round.
Former Welsh Junior frontrunner O’Brien had a very close battle for position with James Giddings/Aled Davies (Fordpad/Enva/Sar Metals Mitsubishi Evo 9) last time out, and the pair will be duelling for the top spot once again.
Russ Thompson/Stephen Link scored maximum Pirelli Welsh points on last year’s Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally and return in their rapid Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9. The 2019 championship runners up will be able to use the top end speed of their car to good effect on the fast and flowing stages and will be out for a win.
David Tomlin would have taken third-placed points on Rally North Wales had he not put his Axon Ford Fiesta R5 off and got stuck in the mud for three minutes. As his regular co-driver Keith Ashley is on Rallynuts Clerk of the Course duties, the Worcester driver will be partnered this time by Ian Beamond.
Rob Wilson won the Pirelli Welsh Junior, Challenge and class W13 titles in 2022 (and finished runner up in the overall drivers’ standings) and is back in his trusty Mitsubishi Evo 7.
The Hockly Motorsport-supported 2WD category sees the return of reigning champions Iwan Roberts Jnr/Daniel Jones in their Roberts of Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3. Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees won the 2WD category three times last year, including on the Rallynuts, and will be out for another win in their Flying Kiwi Ford Escort Mk2.
