Damian Cole Digs In For Victory At Caerwent

Following a day-long battle where the leading two crews were closely matched throughout, it was Damian Cole/Ian Davis who won the opening round of the J D Competition Tyres Welsh Tarmacadam Championship, the Tour of Caerwent Rally in their Get Connected Škoda Fabia R5. They opened up a 10-second lead on the first stage ahead of Dave Willett/John Davies, driving a Ford Escort Mk2, only for Willett to reduce Cole’s advantage to just one second after the second of six special stages at the MOD site at Caerwent. Over the next three stages, the pair were never more than three seconds apart, with Cole setting fastest times on two of the three tests, before wrapping up victory with fastest time on the final stage to end the day 11 seconds ahead of Willett.

By Simon Gronow

Following a day-long battle where the leading two crews were closely matched throughout, it was Damian Cole/Ian Davis who won the opening round of the J D Competition Tyres Welsh Tarmacadam Championship, the Tour of Caerwent Rally in their Get Connected Škoda Fabia R5.

They opened up a 10-second lead on the first stage ahead of Dave Willett/John Davies, driving a Ford Escort Mk2, only for Willett to reduce Cole’s advantage to just one second after the second of six special stages at the MOD site at Caerwent.

Over the next three stages, the pair were never more than three seconds apart, with Cole setting fastest times on two of the three tests, before wrapping up victory with fastest time on the final stage to end the day 11 seconds ahead of Willett.

For Willett/Davies, they had the satisfaction of taking maximum Welsh points on their series debut.

#SKODAMotorsport – Step by step, the new generation #SkodaFabia #Rally2 is taking shape. The road car’s outstanding #aerodynamics play a major role in the future rally winner’s configuration.

Here’s the full story: https://t.co/ym2UK3CS3l

— ŠKODA Motorsport (@MotorsportSkoda) March 28, 2022

Half a minute behind in third were Wayne Jones/Jonathan Davies who had a great run on only their third outing in their recently acquired Darrian GTR, setting a fastest time on one stage on their way to the final podium position.

Thomas Cooper/Paul Williams were a fine fourth in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, ahead of two former multiple Welsh champions – Bob Fowden and Richard Merriman, driving their respective Subaru Impreza WRC and Darrian T90, while Chris Simmons/Andy Moss took third in class and ninth overall in another Darrian.

Once again, Will Mains put in a giant-killing performance as he and James Williams finished in an impressive class-winning 10th overall in their 1400cc Vauxhall Nova.

They were followed home by Dean Davies/Cameron Wheatley in a Ford Escort and 2021 and Welsh Tarmacadam champions Neil Jones/Alan Thomas who were out in a Vauxhall Astra.

Car9 this weekend#1st rally of 2022#Tour of Caerwent#Forresterscarclub pic.twitter.com/gbBbSVMsNU

— Simon Anthony (@SimonAntjony) March 24, 2022

Ben Grenter was first of the championship contenders in the 1600cc class in his Toyota Yaris, whilst Mike Pugsley had a good run to finish first in class 3 in his Ford Escort Mk1.

Not having such a good day were Phil Turner/Simon Anthony who retired their Mitsubishi Lancer after it went off the road.

Throttle issues prevented Marcus Pagett/Ellie Williams from finishing in their Nissan Micra Kit Car and Chris Butcher/Jonathan Hawkins retired their Nissan Sunny with suspension problems.