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: Gareth Thomas
Stages: 9 (45 Gravel Stage Miles)
Venue: Epynt, Halfway & Crychan
Starters: 54
Winners: Leon Pesticcio/Howard Davies (Mitsubishi Lancer E6)
Leon Pesticcio/Howard Davies gave their successful Lancer Evo6 a fitting farewell as they took a dominant victory on Amman & District MC’s Red Kite Stages.
The popular rally, which attracted sponsorship from Swansea Model Centre for this year’s event, used forest tracks on and around the Epynt Ranges to provide nine stages and 45 competitive miles.
Pesticcio/Davies were the class of the field taking the lead from the first stage and eventually coming home with almost a two minute victory margin. They even had time to indulge in some tyre testing over the final stages. This was the last event for the faithful Evo6 as an Evo7 was being built for the 2002 season.
There was a daylong battle for second place between the Hyundai Kit Car of Graham Middleton/John Morgan and the Escort Cosworth of John Morgan/Carl Williamson. The latter driver, a tarmac specialist, was on his first forestry event. Despite clutch problems, which were traced to an airlock in the fluid, Middleton had led after six stages. However when they reached the start of the last stage Morgan/Williamson were two seconds in front. Both drivers drove flat out over the last test in an effort to win the runner up spot, however four wheel drive and the extra horsepower told as Morgan took another nine seconds off Middleton to secure the place.
Melvyn Evans returned to two wheel drive with an Escort RS that was only completed in the early hours prior to the rally. Partnered by Alun Davies, the Lampeter driver overcame unsuitable tyres and fading brakes to take fourth place at the Finish. Miles Jude/Alistair Douglas had held fourth place for most of the day but a severely slipping clutch on their Impreza saw them fall behind Evans on the final three stages.
There were two significant non-starters; Simon Crook had gearbox problems with his Escort Cosworth, while engine maladies on his Escort RS caused Gareth Lloyd to miss the event. Julian Reynolds/Ieaun Thomas matched Pesticcio’s time on SS1 but a broken rear diff on their Lancer Evo4 on SS2 put them out before the battle could get underway. Robert Swann/Ken Bowman were also quick on SS1 but they clipped a rock at the flying finish, the impact broke a drive shaft on their Lancer and meant that they played no further part in proceedings.
There were a number of other retirements, these included: David Howells/Andy Hillier (Subaru Impreza) - Transmission; Wyn Hughes/Paul Jenkins (Toyota Starlet) - Oil Pipe; Mandy Twynham/Richard Edwards (Peugeot 106) - Off; Martin Evans/Shaun O'Gorman (Nissan Micra) - Engine; John Selley/Neil Selley (Ford Escort) - Off; Graeme Jones/Richard Perry (Peugeot 106) - Coil; David Harris/Alex Jones (Ford Escort) - Clutch; Graham Davies/Gary Powell (Talbot Sunbeam) - Halfshaft; Paul Tappin/Trevor Tappin (Ford Puma) - Transmission; Trevor Baynham/Jon Roberts (Ford Escort) Wheel Studs.
Stuart Clarke/Mike Panes were spectacular in their drive to the U1600 class win in their Escort, two spins on SS2 being their only problem. Andy Gwynne/Laura Forsyth may have challenged them for the class award but their Corsa ran out of fuel on SS4 and they had to coast over the line, loosing fifty seconds in the process.
Gary Barlow/Alex Reynolds were the daylong leaders in the U1300 class but it was far from a smooth run for the Reading pairing. Their newly rebuilt Astra suffered four broken fan belts and a broken exhaust during the rally. At the Finish Barlow was narrowly ahead of the Peugeot 106s of Danny Kent/Robin Hernaman and Peter Cave/Andrew Davies.
Three Telford AC crews took part and had mixed fortunes. Andrew Kenny/Gary Kenny struggled with their Lancer Evo3 jumping out of second gear all day, the driver having to hold the car in gear. Martin Payton/Eddie Myatt had a trouble free day, taking their Escort Cosworth to 12th overall, while Martin Kenny/Steve Quine battled with a loose oil pump on their Escort RS but still secured second in class and 15th overall.
The rally was being observed for inclusion in the following year's Welsh Clubman's Championship and judging by the remarks from competitors and external officials, there was no difficulty in the Red Kite making the grade.
Fifty-four cars started the event with 39 making it back to the rally base at the Castle Hotel, Llandovery.
OVERALL RESULTS
Pos | Driver | Co-Driver | Car | Penalty | |
1 | Leon Pesticcio | Howard Davies | Mitsubishi Lancer E6 | 48m 36s | |
2 | John Morgan | Carl Williamson | Ford Escort Cosworth | 50m 23s | |
3 | Graham Middleton | John Morgan | Hyundai Kit Car | 50m 34s | |
4 | Melvyn Evans | Alun Davies | Ford Escort | 51m 55s | |
5 | Miles Jude | Alistair Douglas | Subaru Impreza | 52m 07s | |
6 | Philip Morgan | Marc Jones | Mitsubishi Lancer E5 | 52m 12s | |
7 | Andrew Kenny | Gary Kenny | Mitsubishi Lancer E3 | 52m 29s | |
8 | Chris Bown | Roger Bown | Mitsubishi Lancer | 52m 36s | |
9 | Stuart Clarke | Cliff Simmons | Ford Escort | 52m 38s | |
10 | Robert Davies | Nicholas Biddle | Mitsubishi Lancer E5 | 53m 10s | |
11 | Richard Hill | Daniel Stone | Ford Sierra | 53m 16s | |
12 | Martin Payton | Eddie Myatt | Ford Escort Cosworth | 53m 23s | |
13 | Andy Gwynne | Laura Forsyth | Vauxhall Corsa | 53m 31s | |
14 | Dave Price | Julian Howitt | Mitsubishi Lancer E6 | 53m 46s | |
15 | Martin Kenny | Steve Quine | Ford Escort RS | 55m 02s | |
16 | Duncan Williams | Mark Freeman | Peugeot 106 | 55m 15s | |
17 | Granvile Cottle | Neil Cook | Ford Escort Cosworth | 55m 16s | |
18 | Ed Lloyd | Ian Moseley | Triumph TR8 | 55m 39s | |
19 | Bob Gibbons | Stuart Cardell | Ford Escort Mk1 | 55m 57s | |
20 | Darran Powell | Gareth Shell | Ford Escort | 56m 00s | |
21 | Mark Cheetham | Kiaran Hankin | Ford Escort | 56m 10s | |
22 | Steve Willson | Ken Rees | Vauxhall Chevette HSR | 56m 16s | |
23 | Alun Evans | Lisa Evans | Subaru Impreza | 56m 31s | |
24 | Alan Desbois | Denise Desbois | Peugeot 306 | 58m 04s | |
25 | Jim Munden | Dan Hutchins | Ford Escort | 58m 21s | |
26 | Gary Barlow | Alex Reynolds | Vauxhall Astra | 58m 58s | |
27 | Danny Kent | Robin Hernaman | Peugeot 106 | 59m 18s | |
28 | Peter Cave | Andrew Davies | Peugeot 106 | 59m 30s | |
29 | John Evans | Chris Long | Ford Escort | 60m 12s | |
30 | Alun Pearson | Simon Brook | Vauxhall Nova GSi | 60m 21s | |
31 | Mandy Roberts | Derek Davies | Peugeot 106 | 60m 29s | |
32 | Paul Lomas | David Bryans | Ford Escort Cosworth | 60m 47s | |
33 | Mark Weller | Paul Robinson | Ford Escort | 61m 23s | |
34 | Edward Healer | Matthew Finney | Nissan Micra | 61m 52s | |
35 | Clive Bayliss | Steve Roderick | Opel Manta | 61m 59s | |
36 | Andrew Lawson | Shaun Stanton | Ford Escort | 62m 59s | |
37 | Gareth Bevan | Neil Bevan | Daihatsu | 64m 41s | |
38 | Chris Brown | Steve Phillips | Skoda | 68m 55s | |
39 | James Chappelle | Peter Chappelle | Austin Mini | 74m 20s |