Monday 25 June 2018

Red Kite Historic & Red Kite Stages 24th June by Paul Willetts

Irishman Paul Barrett with Ross Motor Club's  Will Rogers on the notes scored a superb 2nd overall in there Escort RS1800 after a terrific drive on last Sundays Red Kite Historic Stages the latest round of both Fuchs MSA British Historic and Pirelli Welsh series.

The event has been based in Llandovery for the past 20 years, but this year the rally was moved to its new base in Resolven and used the superb forests of Rheola, Margam and Resolven for the first time.

For Barrett and Rogers the first time pairing were embroiled in a four way ding dong battle for 2nd place from the off but they held on to 2nd by just 9 seconds after 45 miles in dry dusty conditions, and it was Ross garage owner Steve Bennett who with regular co driver Osian Owen in the Bennett Tyres Escort RS1800 who emerged with third place on the final stage taking 4 seconds from Simon Webster to pinch 3rd place by 1 second, in fact just 11 seconds covered 2nd to 5th.

In 7th was regular pairing of Ben Friend/Cliff Simmons in the Allglass Escort RS who yet again thrilled the spectators with yet another thrilling class battle with Stuart Egglestone in his Escort RS, but it was Penrith driver who took the class win by just 7 seconds.

Jason Gardner/Graham Cox in the Brecon View Plumbing Escort RS were after Welsh Historic series points and they took 24th overall & 7th in class maximum Welsh historic points in the class although somewhat fortunate to finish having broken a tooth on the crown wheel, and had to be very careful on the final 9 mile test.

In the National B event it was the pairing of John Collins/John Smart who were in honours with 13th overall & 1st in class in the Opel Manta 2 litre Charles Hopkinson/Gavin Haycock finished 19th & 3rd in class in the Dave Jenkins Motorsport run Escort RS.

Also in the National B event Bob Morgan/Adrian Williams in the Winner Garage Skoda were using the event to test suspension and anti roll bar settings, they caught a car on the opening test but were still 6th fastest, and then sadly the turbo blew on stage two and retirement.

The overall winners of the historic event were Osian Pryce/Dale Furniss in G&M Pryce backed Escort RS1800,they totally dominated with fastest on every stage and took victory by 1 minute 25 seconds in only his second event in a rwd car.
Dylan Davies / Llion Williams took a comfortable victory on the National B rally in their Subaru Impreza.

Paul Willetts Motorsport Media