Nine Pin Their Hopes on Woodpecker Rally Success

By Paul Evans

Nine drivers go into tomorrow’s Eventsigns Woodpecker Stages Rally with a chance of winning a free entry into the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB – the Road to Wales prize for leading the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship after the penultimate round of the series.

The same nine drivers could also be crowned Welsh champion – although that won’t be decided until after the final round, the Wyedean Rally (10 November).

Two drivers are currently tied at the top of the championship standings, with Llanon’s Dylan Davies and Surrey driver Wug Utting both on 107 points. Their respective co-drivers, Llion Williams and Bob Stokoe, also share the lead in the navigators’ category.

Third among the drivers is Llysfaen’s Matt Edwards. The British Rally Championship front-runner is 11 points back but has taken maximum points on three out of the four championship rounds that he has so far contested. With competitors dropping their two worst scores, Edwards and co-driver Darren Garrod remain well in contention.

Llangefni’s Keith Parry and former Welsh champion Luke Francis can also win the title, while Treorchy’s Kalvin Green and Welshpool’s Zak Hughes are in a battle for the Under 23 crown.

The Sixty and Worcestershire Motor Club organised Woodpecker Stages Rally starts from Ludlow Racecourse at 08.31 on Saturday morning.

There are two spectator areas, one at Haye Park near Ludlow and the other in Radnor forest in mid-Wales.

The Haye Park car park entrance is on the minor road between Ludlow and Wigmore (OS Map 137 / 474732, post code SY8 2HE). Catering, toilet facilities and commentary will be available. The cars visit twice; SS1 at 08.45 and SS4 at 12.45.

The Radnor forest car park entrance is on the A488 between Knighton and Penybont (OS Map 148 / 189683, nearest post code LD7 1PA). Parking is on forest tracks. The cars visit Radnor forest twice; SS3 at 10.20 and SS6 at 15.05.

The ceremonial finish will take place back at Ludlow Racecourse at 16.45.

The Eventsigns Woodpecker Stages Rally was chosen as the best event in the 2017 Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship and, with so much still to be settled in 2018, a strong contingent of championship contenders are once again relishing an epic battle.

Woodpecker Stages Rally – top 10 starters
1. Matt Edwards/Darren Garrod….Ford Fiesta R5
2. Luke Francis/John H Roberts….Ford Fiesta WRC
3. Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson….Ford Fiesta WRC
4. Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg….Ford Fiesta
5. Sacha Kakad/Jamie Edwards….Ford Fiesta R5
6. Martyn England/Dawn England….Ford Fiesta R5+
7. Dylan Davies/Llion Williams….Subaru Impreza
8. Ian Joel/Graeme Wood….Ford Escort Cosworth
9. Russ Thompson/Andy Murphy….Mitsubishi Evo
10. Pat Naylor/Ian Lawrence….Mitsubishi Evo