In typically varied weather conditions the annual Tour of Epynt rally, organised by Port Talbot Motor Club, took place last Sunday, writes Mark Griffin.
As a qualifying round of the prestigious Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship, a small but top quality entry assembled for battle over seven timed tests on the asphalt roads of Mynydd Epynt.
Richard Tuthill, partnered by world championship co-driver Stephan Prevot led the assembled field away in their fearsome Porsche 911, closely followed by local driver Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke who debuted their immaculate Scott Williams Motorsport built Ford Escort RS.
Epynt maestro Melvyn Evans was also out in an equally impressive Scott Williams prepared car, together with Tomos Davies. Scarlets and Wales rugby star Williams, heads the highly regarded specialist preparation company, focusing on Ford Escort modification.
Historic Championship leader; Nick Elliott and co-driver Dave Price elected to compete in the more powerful Escort, as opposed to his usual mount, the wonderful Fiat 131 Abarth. However, given the quality throughout the top runners, anyone within the top 10 crews could come away with the victory laurels.
In fine, dry conditions, Evans was quickest out of the blocks on the opening test from Elliott, Pritchard third and the Tuthill Porsche fourth - the German marque leaving spectacular trails of black sinewy tyre marks in its wake from each junction! However, stage four spelled disaster for Tuthill, who, while chasing the leaders came to grief on a notorious corner at the start of the Burma Road, causing retirement.
As the predicted drizzle formed into steady and eventually heavy rain, Pritchard took charge, having his time acclimatising to the new car, making adjustments to suit his driving style. Having changed the spark plugs and fine-tuned the suspension to his liking he blasted through stage six some 19 seconds faster than the opposition, toppling Elliott off the top of the time sheets.
As conditions worsened, the Builth Wells driver got faster and more confident - securing the win by 19 seconds over Evans in the sister car, while Elliott finished third and retained the Championship lead. It was an ideal result for Jason, Phil and the Get Jerky / North Road Garage Team who continue their preparation for a challenge for honours on the Roger Albert Clark Rally in November.
In the Interclub category, Damian Cole returned to Epynt after his enormous crash on the previous Epynt event. The Abergavenny businessman wheeled out his new Citroen C3 Rally2 and with veteran co-driver Paul Spooner in the passenger seat was hoping to add to his haul of Epynt wins.
Fastest on the opening stage and almost taking a clean sweep of stage wins throughout the day was top seed Mark Kelly and co-driver Dafydd Evans in their Skoda Fabia R5. Kelly blitzed the opposition - winning by 1 minute and 47 seconds with Cole second. After setting the fastest time on the last stage, Andy Fraser and Alan Jones came third in the fearsome Darrian kit car.
Brecon Motor Club members Chris Phillips was drafted in as co-driver seat to partner Craig King in a Morris Mini and finished second in class, while also securing second in class was Lucie Gutteridge who co-drove Paul Jenkins in his Mk2 Ford Escort.
Rallying returns to Epynt towards the end of August with the eagerly awaited Epynt Motor Club Mewla Rally.