Unless otherwise clearly indicated, results on this site have been declared final and are therefore not subject to query or protest
Clerk of the Course: Rob Richards & Vince Mosley
Route: 110 Miles
Maps: 159 & 146
Starters: 60
Winners: Toby Adam/Byron Jones (Ford Escort)
A storming drive in the second half saw Toby Adams/Byron Jones take victory on the Mel Harris Memorial Rally. The Ammanford MC event was not included in any major championships but still attracted a capacity 60 car entry. It used 110 miles of slippery South Wales lanes and proved highly popular with competitors.
At the petrol halt Adams/Jones were only seven seconds in front of the first time pairing of Ceri Richards/Aled Jones. Andrew Davies/Kevin Jones were just a few seconds further back. By the Finish Adams had pulled out almost two minutes over Richards, while Davies had gone off the road attempting to maintain the pace. For Adams/Jones it was their third event together and remarkably their third victory.
Gary Jones/Andy Oakes took third place, while Martin and Gordon Bradley were fourth. The latter crew ruing the three minutes dropped when their Escort drowned out in a ford on the easily cleanable first section.
There was a close battle for the Semi-Expert class win, with the two Lampeter crews of Geraint Davies/John Gilbey and Richard Briddon/Edryd Evans in contention. The matter was decided when Briddon/Evans booked in early at a Time Control and this allowed Davies/Gilbey to take the class win and eighth overall. One place further back were the first novices, Dorian Evans/Paul Jones - an notable result on only the driver's fourth rally.
Pre-event favourites Alan Gaunt/Paul Bevan picked up a fail for wrong departure from a control just prior to the halfway halt. Aled Evans/Eryl Evans made the same error and this cost them second place at the end.
Wyn Pickersgill/Marc Jones retired their Escort with a broken gearbox, while Alan Hands/John Hands put their car off the road on an early section. Clive Greves/Rob Duke had the clutch cable fail on their Chevette.
TOP TEN POSITIONS
Pos | Driver | Navigator | Car | Penalty | |
1 | Toby Adam | Byron Jones | Ford Escort | 7m 29s | |
2 | Ceri Richards | Aled Jones | Ford Escort | 9m 13s | |
3 | Gary Jones | Andy Oakes | Toyota Corolla | 9m 18s | |
4 | Martin Bradley | Gordon Bradley | Ford Escort | 10m 15s | |
5 | Eirwyn Davies | Dave Pitchford | Ford EScort | 11m 05s | |
6 | Hefin George | Dilwyn John | Mazda 323 Turbo | 13m 10s | |
7 | Gwyndaf Lloyd | Tracey Giddins | Talbot Sunbeam | 13m 55s | |
8 | Geraint Davies | John Gilbey | Toyota Corolla | 14m 46s | |
9 | Dorian Rees | Paul Jones | Ford Escort | 16m 30s | |
10 | Rhydian Jones | Dalis Ifans | Ford Escort | 19m 04s |