Closed road stage rallying made a welcome return to Sennybridge Military Range last weekend for the PitStop Garage, Pengam - Dixies Challenge Rally.

Organised by Forresters Car Club, a full entry of 80 cars assembled on a bright but chilly morning on Mynydd Epynt. The event comprised of 10 short timed stages on the western side of the range with a central service area providing for a compact route.

With the organisers providing priority for respective championship contenders, some fancied runners were left disappointed to not gain an entry, including the winner for the previous two years - Malcolm and Rhys Jones in their Darrian.

With the absence of last year’s winner, event sponsor Neil Jones and Alan Thomas started car one in their fabulous Ford Escort, closely followed by multiple Epynt event winners Abergavenny’s Damian Cole and the vastly experienced Paul Spooner occupying the co-drivers seat of their Citroen C3 Rally2.

Robert Tout and Terry Martin were expected to challenge for the overall win, being familiar with the Epynt roads and having taken the runners-up spot last year.

The stage pattern for the day allowed two stages before a service break. Over the opening pair of timed tests, Cole and Spooner built up a valuable six-second advantage over Tout and Martin - four critical seconds were gained on stage two by Cole.

Finishing less than 10 seconds behind the winner, Robert Tout and Terry Martin in their Ford Fiesta R5
Finishing less than 10 seconds behind the winner, Robert Tout and Terry Martin in their Ford Fiesta R5 (Mark Griffin)

As the day progressed, sunny conditions prevailed and the pace between the top two crews grew hotter - over the remaining eight stages the top two were equal on time or a second or two swing to either crew. Cole and Spooner finally took victory by nine seconds allowing Cole his 25th outright win on Epynt - a total that’s unlikely to be surpassed at the venue? The final podium spot was taken by Richard Merriman and Louise Lewis in their Darrian T90.

Fortunes varied for local crews. Joseph Palmer and Steve McPhee steered their Nissan Mica to the top step of the podium in the Celtic Micra Challenge, taking their class win by over two minutes. Conversely, Brecon Motor Club co-driver Sam Weller and his driver Bleddyn Thomas got caught out on a deceptive corner on the penultimate stage, damaging the front end of the Escort, causing retirement. Paul Tappin and Jon Hawkins from Epynt Motor Club finished sixth in class in their Talbot Sunbeam.

It was another polished performance from Joseph Palmer and Steve McPhee, who comfortably won their class in their Micra
It was another polished performance from Joseph Palmer and Steve McPhee, who comfortably won their class in their Micra (Mark Griffin)
After a spirited drive, Bleddyn Thomas' and and Sam Wellers' event came to an abrupt end on the penultimate stage
After a spirited drive, Bleddyn Thomas' and and Sam Wellers' event came to an abrupt end on the penultimate stage (Mark Griffin)

Both Brecon and Epynt Motor Clubs supplied safety and timing marshalls for the event, all which aided a smoothly run day.

Next weekend Brecon Motor Club run the Old Forge Garage Gremlin Historic Rally, principally a navigation event for classic cars in and around the roads of Brecknock.