Round three of the 2024 Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship will see crews contest over 62 miles of world-famous stages, as the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages takes the series back to Wales.
Having hosted some of the best drivers in the world in the past, the likes of Myherin, Hafren and Sweet Lamb offer up arguably the ultimate gravel rally challenge, and thanks to the 50th anniversary running of the rally, organisers have lined up a bumper day in the forests to celebrate.
The championship standings are looking as close as ever, but after two rounds, it is Nick Elliot and Dave Price who lead in their FIAT 131 Abarth. After years of trying, the win was finally theirs at the Get Jerky Rally North Wales, marking their first win since 2021 and putting them at the head of the pack.
But just 11 points separate them from second-placed man Adrian Hetherington who didn’t have the best of luck in Wales last month, suffering a puncture in the closing stages of the event. With Ronan O’Neil back in the co-driver seat of the Ford Escort MKII, the duo will be looking to reignite the fight.
Round one top scorers Matthew Robinson and Sam Collis were another to run out of luck last time out, with diff issues forcing them out of contention in their Escort but a solid result in Wales will put them right back in the hunt.
But they tie on points with Richard Hill who is quietly going about his business in a return to the BHRC. His consistency has reaped rewards so far this year and the Escort driver will have Patrick Cooper on the notes once again.
Yorkshireman Daniel Mennell netted his very first BHRC podium with second place last time out, despite not having experience of the Wales gravel in the past. He and Richard Wise have been impressive this season and another strong result will see them become real front-runners.
Matt Bown and Tom Jordan are another Category Two crew to seek consistency and it’s paying off, lying second place in their Hillman Avenger whilst the returning Josh Carr and Osian Owen will need to make up for their Rally North Wales absence in the category in their Escort MKI. Jeremy Easson and Mike Reynolds return too in their similar machine, also missing last month.
In terms of overall winners though, it’s hard to look past George Lepley and Dale Bowen in their stunning Mitsubishi Galant VR4. It’s been an up-and-down season, with victory in Yorkshire, Wales saw them exit early so getting to the end will be a focus for the young ace.
