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Mel Harries Memorial Rally 1999

Ammanford Motor Club

29th/30th May 1999



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