Challenge contenders are reminded that as registration includes membership of Maesteg and District Motor Club, you are entitled to enter events run by any Club affiliated to the following Associations as long as you state Maesteg DMC on your entry form:
https://www.wamc.org.uk/
https://www.aswmc.org.uk/
https://www.awmmc.org.uk/
Jenkins / Jenkins Still On Top
With all of the current Top 6 visiting the Yorkshire forests for Round 9, the race for the Drivers Title is by no means over. Michael Jenkins has extended his lead by a further two points but with a maximum of 30 points up for grabs on each round, the bid for the top spot is for from settled. The overall title is now out of reach for Drivers who concentrate on just sealed surface events but the TCS Plant Tarmacadam Championship title, currently lead by Layton Waters is still wide open.
Despite missing the Trackrod, Colin Jenkins still has a healthy lead amongst the co-drivers. Leading Junior, Robbie Sandford, currently lying 2nd overall also missed Round 9 but competed in the Castle Combe Circuit Rally at the weekend, an event being considered for inclusion in the 2025 Rally Challenge.
For the current points click here.
Michael Jenkins and Jordan Joines celebrating their Class Victory
Gareth Hall Memorial Stages
Barry John’s Nice Try
The husband and wife crew of Barry and Seyyan John pulled off one of their best ever Stage Rally performances with a creditable 7th place in their Subaru Impreza. Their 4th in Class result elevates Barry to second in the Challenge lead, just three points behind fellow Amman DMC driver, Layton Waters.
Also holding 4th in his Class was Oxfordshire’s Colin Minton, his result putting him level with close mate Michael Jenkins, to complete the current Top 5.
A highly competitive under 1400cc Class saw the Junior Vauxhall Nova crew of Jack Edwards and Sam Weller hit some bad luck, relegated to 5th in Class after a fraught final Stage. With both drive shafts failing close to the end, the lads had to push the car over the line to record a finish. The result still gives Jack a realistic chance of competing for the Junior Drivers title whilst elevating Sam to fourth overall co-driver, being one of three Juniors now occupying the top four co-driver positions, still headed by Colin Jenkins.
Click here for current scores.
Barry John and Seyyan John. (Photo Credit Andrew Evans).
Current leading co-driver Colin Jenkins with fellow contender Geoff Phelps.
Jack Edwards
Round 5 – The Nicky Grist Stages Report
Clerk of the Course Neil Cross and his Team again put on their customary polished event, seen by many as the highlight of the Challenge Calendar. The town of Builth Wells, aware of the economic boost to the town, fully embraced the Rally with the mayor flagging competitors away at the start. See full report here.
Click here for the current scores.
Round 4 – The JD Tyres Bob Show Memorial Brawdy Stages
Latest Points Total Following Round 4, the JD Tyres Bob Shaw Memorial Brawdy Stages – click here.
Stunning star-studded rally entry heads to Builth Wells for the 2024 Nicky Grist Stages
Top image credit: Stanley’s Photos
Bottom image: Last year’s winner: Elliot Payne.
Credit: Mike Frayne
A star-studded entry, made up of competitors from six major UK championships and several of the top Probite British Rally Championship drivers who are using the classic mid-Wales stages as a gravel test, will gather in Builth Wells this weekend for the Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 13 July).
Read more here.
Abingdon Motorsport CAR-nival
Jenkins ‘Day Out’ Nets Him A Current Podium Spot.
Craven and Maesteg Motor Club member Michael Jenkins, who is more at home on forestry events, recently brought his Fiesta to Abingdon to enjoy his day out rather than make a serious bid for Rally Challenge points. Michael commented, ‘Myself and fellow Craven member Colin Minton enjoy the social side of this event held on Abingdon Airfield which was opened in 1932 to train RAF Bomber Command.’ ‘I left the car on forestry suspension which made for some unusual handling!’ Michael’s points however have launched him to second in the current drivers standings prior to Round 4, the Bob Shaw Memorial Stages at Brawdy.
For the current points please click here.
Free Photographs
Images taken on Rally Challenge Rounds that our Photographer attends will be free of charge to Registered Contenders and forwarded electronically. To request images, please apply to Mike Frayne at taffchippy@proton.me
They may only be requested one event at a time.
For images replicated on Social Media / Websites / Publicity etc., they must be credited to Mike Frayne.
News Story – Bonnie Selected to Attend Motorsport UK Academy
Reigning Junior Rally Challenge Champion Bonnie Papper was recently selected to attend the Motorsport UK Academy where it was announced that she has been invited to join the M-Sport Team on World Championship Round, Rally Croatia. She is to join the Weather Crew to assist in refining Pace Notes to suit changing conditions on the Stages. When she returns, Bonnie is to share her experience of being given such a good opportunity to help forward her Co-driving career.
Previous Champions
xxxxxxxxxDriver Co-Driver
2013 Thomas ‘TC’ Lloyd Claire Williams
2014 Jason Hodge Mark Crisp
2015 Morgan Handford Chris Williams
2016 Wynne Watkins Siobhan Pugh
2017 William Mains Dawn England
2018 William Mains Paul Wakely
2019 William Mains Rhys Stoneman
2020 Tom Coughtrie* Ian Fraser* Leaders at time of cancellation*
2022 John Caine Liam Whiteley
2023 Ernie Graham Dan Evans
Click here for Qualifying Rounds 2024
