EPYNT Motor Club recently held its Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation in Builth Wells.
The club had a successful 2015 year with members organising, marshalling and competing across the country. The club Navigational Scatter series once again had a good season with close competition across the classes, out of the six rounds of which five counted, Jamie Pickup won the Expert Drivers class on 50 points, just three points ahead of Brian Jones and seven ahead of Twm Prosser.
Jon Hawkins came top of the Expert Navigators on 47 points, just two points ahead of former Welsh Road Rally Champions Alun Probert and Ceri Davies, who was six points back from Hawkins. 12 Novice Drivers entered this year with Alvine Stuart brining home the title 11 points ahead of her nearest rivals. Likewise Jack Hintz won the Novice Navigators in a nine strong class.
The rallies the club put on were also a strong success with the Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally being the final round of the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship and a strong entry of 105 cars turned out for the Epynt Ranges event, its largest entry since 2009. Held under mixed conditions but well received by all competing and Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh won the event in their Subaru Impreza WRC.
In November the club then put on DG Jones Agri Powys Lanes Rally which also had its largest entry yet with almost the full 75 starters with 15 of those being those who have won other events, leading it to be one of the most competitive road rallies in the Welsh Road Rally Championship.
Five different crews were with a chance of winning the event after the first few sections however the event was halted at the halfway point due to a technical issue outside of the organisers control. Irfon Richards/Michael Gilbey were the leaders at that point and therefore won the event. Between these events they raised over £3000 for charity.
Marshals are a key part of rallying and the club had a strong turn out this year with many members coming out to help run these rallies, Father and Son Geoff Harper and Dan Harper won the marshals championship on nine events each closely followed by Sophie Harper on eight events.
The club championship was also strong. 2015 Club Chairman Dan Harper topping the tables on 39 points with a tie for second between Sophie Harper, Jamie Pickup and Jon Hawkins. Who in turn were just one point ahead of Brian Jones.
Finally there were three special awards presented to those members who had done exceptionally well in the 2015 year. The Ian Davies Under 30 Award was presented to Jon Hawkins for his successes in the year of rallying winning major awards in two national championships.
The Ladies Award was presented to Lynne Jones for her contributions to the club and being part of most events they run in different roles. Club Person of the Year was awarded to the 2015 Club Chairman and current club secretary, Dan Harper who has been part of both event committees as well as the club committee and also attending various events across Wales marshalling in a mixture of roles and making every effort to keep the club growing in strength.
Meetings are held in Llanwyrtyd Wells every month and for more information on the club visit www.epyntmc.co.uk