One of the most eagerly awaited motor rally events of the year took place last weekend with the Get Connected Mewla Rally, writes Mark Griffin.

Organised and promoted by Epynt Motor Club, the Mewla has run as a stage rally since the late 1970s, primarily on the Military Range road network of Mynydd Epynt.

After taking advantage of changes some years ago to public closed-road legislation, last year Epynt Motor Club tested the waters by using a short stretch of road near Pentrebach. This year, the club selected a longer route by including roads around Llandeilo Fan and Merthyr Cynog, linking both sections by the private military road network.

After months of dry weather, the much-welcomed recent rain made the asphalt roads particularly slippery, and this was demonstrated on the stages with a number of incidents of cars leaving the road. Thankfully, nothing serious occurred.

Seeded car one and first into the nine-stage event, John Dalton from Talsarn was out for some pre-Rali Ceredigion practice. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the slippery conditions, his distinctive Darrian leaving the road on the second timed stage.

With Jason Pritchard having withdrawn his entry prior to the event, this allowed any number of crews to set their sights on victory. Thomas Cooper and Sarah Edwards have settled into their new Citroën C3 Rally2, becoming increasingly competitive as the season progresses, and cemented this position by holding a slender lead after the first loop of three stages.

Event sponsor and multiple Mewla winner Damian Cole, co-driven by Ian Allsop, started well by heading the timesheets on the opening test. However, the Abergavenny businessman, despite taking some fastest times later in the day, slipped down the order, eventually finishing in third position.

Event sponsor Damian Cole and Ian Allsop leap over ‘Sycamore Bridge’ near Merthyr Cynog on their way to third position
Event sponsor Damian Cole and Ian Allsop leap over ‘Sycamore Bridge’ near Merthyr Cynog on their way to third position (Mark Griffin)

Also driving a Citroën C3 Rally2, and having their most successful Epynt event to date, were Rob Morris and Daniel James, who set some impressive times and were engaged in a fierce battle with Cooper and Edwards. As the event entered its final phase, they were leading.

However, a concerted effort in horrendously wet conditions by Cooper and Edwards, who threw caution to the wind, saw them fly through the final 11-mile stage some 16 seconds faster than Morris and James, thus taking the overall win by six seconds. It was a trio of Citroën C3 Rally2s filling the podium.

After suffering an accident earlier in the season, Ian Taylor was rebuilding confidence and, armed with a new Mitsubishi Evo 9 and co-driven by Brecon-based co-driver Sam Weller, the pairing had a highly successful outing. They particularly enjoyed the technical, narrow-lane sections, finishing an excellent sixth overall and second in class.

Also securing a class win in the nimble Suzuki Ignis, Llandrindod Wells garage proprietor Christian Prynne and Aled Richards convincingly won their class by 41 seconds.

Christian Prynne and Aled Richards push the Suzuki Ignis through a torrential downpour during the final stage to secure first in class
Christian Prynne and Aled Richards push the Suzuki Ignis through a torrential downpour during the final stage to secure first in class (Mark Griffin)

Furthest-travelled competitor Bryn Jones, from Cambridge, New Zealand, slotted the Mewla into his calendar while primarily contesting the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberia. Bryn, who has family roots in Cwmdu, thoroughly enjoyed the outing, finishing 27th overall out of 84 starters.

With family roots in Cwmdu, New Zealand youngster Bryn Jones made the long journey to compete on the Mewla and broaden his rallying experience.
With family roots in Cwmdu, New Zealand youngster Bryn Jones made the long journey to compete on the Mewla and broaden his rallying experience (Mark Griffin)

Brecon Motor Club members Colin Evans and John Evans also sampled the sweet taste of success by winning their class in the BMW 318Ti.

After almost a year of meticulous planning and preparation, Epynt Motor Club can again be satisfied that the Mewla had been a resounding success, with competitors praising the variety of stages compared with a standard Epynt event.

Again, thanks must go to the safety marshals who braved the torrential rain, as well as local residents along the rally route.

Next weekend focuses on Aberystwyth, which hosts the FIA European Rally Championship and British Rally Championship rounds, Rali Ceredigion. The event features closed-road stages near Elan Valley and Rhandirmwyn, among others, where local crews are set to compete. Members of both Epynt and Brecon Motor Clubs will also be assisting with safety marshalling duties.