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: Steve Durbin
Route: 160 Miles
Maps: 171 & 172
Starters: 34
Winners: Gary Jones/Andrew Card (Ford Escort)
Gary Jones/Andrew Card took a clear win on a challenging Twilight Rally to give the driver a hat trick of wins following his success on the Pacemaker and Barcud rallies.
The rally was Ecurie Cymraeg’s first ever event and it proved a tough test for competitors. The majority of route was within the Caerwant RAF base, there were three tests totally 90 miles at the base, although there was also a regularity section on public roads and a final test through the Forest Drive above Risca.
Many crews struggled to get to grips with the format on the opening tests in Caerwent and a number of crews withdrew having dropped a large amount of time, these included Grant Parker/Dave Pitchford, Alyson Acreman/Byron Jones and Alun Evans/Rob Richardson. However those that continued showed vastly improved times on subsequent visits.
For the event Jones had forsaken his familiar Corolla and was competing in an ex-Pete Cotton Escort. It seemed to be a successful move as he and Card romped home ten minutes clear of the field. The only crew to keep within touch of the winners were Chris Bowen/Ian Cooke (Ford Escort) who took second.
Roy Pesticcio/Simon Lannon completed the top three, having survived a misfire and a failing clutch on their Escort. John Davies/Neil Bevan (Vauxhall Nova) had been going well until forced out by navigator illness on the third visit to Caerwent.
The leading Semi-Expert crew were Lee Heywood/Mark Hamilton who took fifth overall in their Peugeot 205, while the leading Novice crew were Dave Webber/Jonathan Morgan (Peugeot 205 GTi) who were seventh.
Roger Holder/Helen Giles (Ford Sierra 4x4) suffered two punctures on their way to eighth place. Len Giles/Andy Oakes (Peugeot 205 GTi) were delayed by a fuel pump problem and finished the rally in 16th and last place.
OVERALL RESULTS
Pos | Driver | Navigator | Car | Penalty | |
1 | Gary Jones | Andrew Card | Ford Escort | 55m 27s | |
2 | Chris Bowen | Ian Cooke | Ford Escort | 67m 38s | |
3 | Roy Pesticcio | Simon Lannon | Ford Escort | 67m 38s | |
4 | Andrew Isherwood | Dave Cooper | Mini 1293 | 91m 08s | |
5 | Lee Heywood | Mark Hamilton | Peugeot 205 GTi | 103m 27s | |
6 | Richard Tuckey | Gordon Bradley | Peugeot 106 Rallye | 127m 43s | |
7 | Dave Webber | Jonathan Morgan | Peugeot 205 GTi | 143m 24s | |
8 | Roger Holder | Helen Giles | Ford Sierra 4x4 | 157m 14s | |
9 | Chris Short | Julian Smith | Toyota Corolla | 172m 18s | |
10 | Timo Rumary | Martin Bristow | Audi 80 Quattro | 195m 39s | |
11 | Simon McKay | Tim Jones | Ford Escort | 200m 11s | |
12 | Steve Roderick | Den Golding | Toyota Corolla | 213m 18s | |
13 | Shane Palmer | Will Arrowsmith | Vauxhall Astra GTE | 229m 39s | |
14 | Mike Kimber | Jerry Jones | Peugeot 205 GTi | 250m 14s | |
15 | Clive Baylis | Granville Cottle | Opel Manta | 386m 27s | |
16 | Len Giles | Andy Oakes | Peugeot 205 GTi | 442m 00s |