Brecon Motor Club revived the Gremlin Rally last weekend after a five-year break but this time it was with a difference, running as an historic event, writes Mark Griffin.

Being a round of the Historic Rally Car Register Championship it attracted crews from all over the country and beyond - one driver travelled from California and mixed a business trip with competing. Also of note was the event sponsorship, Brian Dennis from the Old Forge Garage in Llanigon, who has sponsored the rally since the early 70s whenever it has run, and this time was no exception 45 years later.

The rally started and finished at the Old Railway Line garden Centre in Three Cocks and a route from Erwood to Maes Mynis tested the crews regularity skills as they negotiated the section at low average speeds, the maximum average permitted being 30 mph. Thereafter followed a short special test on the Epynt ranges near Cwm Owen before a long regularity section over the length of the training area and three more quick fire special tests and a short section back through Garth and Cilmery before a much needed break at North Road Garage in Builth Wells.

At this point Dan Willan form Kirby Lonsdale with his navigator Niall Frost from Darley near Harrogate held the advantage in their wonderful Volvo PV544. In close contention was Mick Valentine, who works for McLaren Mercedes as a day job, and his navigator Matt Fowle in a Ford Escort RS2000 followed by the seasoned crew of Paul Crosby and Andy Pullan in a Porsche 911.

The afternoon saw more regularities and special tests and in the final reckoning Willan took the win with Crosby moving up to second place and a still delighted Valentine rounding off the podium.

The local crew of Brian Jones and Jon Hawkins were thrown in at the deep end with the more complex navigation experienced on these events but the Llanwrtyd Wells farmer persevered in his Escort RS2000 and claimed a commendable finish, a feat in itself.

Brecon Motor Club are indebted to the local community for their tolerance of the event and were delighted to see a large number of residents on the route enjoying the passage of a great mix of classic cars on the day.