Edwards Dominates Rallynuts Stages Rally

By Paul Evans

A dominant performance by Matt Edwards saw the Pwllheli driver take outright victory on the Rallynuts Stages Rally in his Swift Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5 – and with it maximum points in the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship.

But it’s Llanon’s Dylan Davies and his Caernarfon-based co-driver Llion Williams who now lead the series after three of the nine rounds, after another consistent performance in their Subaru Impreza.

Held over 45 miles of classic rallying stages in the Cefn, Crychan, Gwibedog and Radnor forests, Edwards took an early lead – just as he’d done on the opening round of the series. But whilst he had crashed out of the season opening Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally, he and co-driver Darren Garrod would not make the same mistake again, recording fastest time on all seven stages to lead all the way to the Royal Welsh Showground finish ramp.

“We’ve had a really good day and learned a lot about the car,” said Edwards. “It’s been a totally trouble-free run with no problems at all. We just changed tyres as and when we needed to and that was about it.”

Former Welsh Champions Luke Francis of Rhuddlan and co-driver John H Roberts from Colwyn Bay followed Edwards home in their Fiesta WRC to take second place, with Ruthin’s Hugh Hunter and co-driver Rob Fagg third in another Fiesta.

Another good performance sees Treorchy’s Kalvin Green lead both the Group N and Junior drivers’ category in his Ford Fiesta ST.

There was a rare retirement for top two-wheel drive crew Nick Elliott/Dave Price. Having scored maximum points last time out, this time their rally ended on the opening stage with engine problems in their Escort Mk2.

The next round of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship is the Plains Rally. The Welshpool-based event, organised by Knutsford and District Motor Club, takes place on Saturday 12 May.