Once again we arrive at the Trawsfynydd Ranges for the Gareth Hall Memorial Rally. The closed roads style of this singe venue test the skill and bravery of the competitors with tight fast stages and little margin for error.
Although peppered with mishaps all of our crews made it through the event in 2024 with close fierce competition from stage one.
The R50s lead by a solid run by Owen Cule and Matt Walk, closely followed by Wesley Gilford and Andrew Millington and rounded off by Julian Fouquet and Julia Perry. Jack Birch and Mike Jode had a strong start on stage one, however a slight miss step at the flying finish of stage 2 meant the pair were left stranded on a grass bank and taking stage maxes on stages 2 and 3. Kevin and Graham enjoyed their stages however Kevin admitted to being a little too cautious over some of the crests and blind corner, that combined a misjudged corner on stage 4 collecting some tyres and some potential over heating problems meant they were out of the running for this weekend.
The R53 class was taken by Jacob Neal and Russel Thompson who found themselves back on the rostrum, not without problems however, they blew a shock early meaning they had to carry out running repairs in service and now have some work to do to turn the car around for Yorkshire. Gordon Davies and Jack Morris took home second on their return to the championship after some time out the pair are no stranger to the ranges and put in some solid stages over the day. Finally the third step occupied by Gareth Humphreys and Adam Burkill who have proven themselves in 2024 to be a fast and consistent crew.
We have well and truly passed the half way point of the championship with only 3 events left to round off 2024. So lets have a look at how the championship stands.
Starting on the tarmac in the R53s, the driver leading the pack is Gareth Humphreys very closely followed by Martin Williant then George Clarke. Co driver standings as Adam Burkill, Martin Allwood and Stephen Moyses. The gravel championship has Tom Hynd leading the way not far behind him are Jacob Neal and Gareth Humphries respectively. The Co drivers are lead by Sue Hynd with again Russel Thompson and Adam Burkill keeping a close tail.
So overall on the top step in first place are Gareth Humphreys and Adam Burkill. Second are John Day and Russel Thompson and in third Jacob Neal and Stephen Moyses. With 3 events still to go there is everything to play for, with 4 of the top 10 drivers and co drivers still to use their jokers no one is yet safely in position for the end of the season.
The R50s tarmac championship is lead by Owen Cule, only 3 points behind is Wesley Gilford and 2 points behind him Kevin Ablit. Co drivers are lead by Mathew Walk and again 3 points behind is Andrew Millington and 2 points behind. The Gravel championship looks a little different, with Julian Fouquet leading the class Jack birch is behind by a single point and then 3 points behind is Andrew Downward, the Co drivers gravel championship is topped by Mike Jode closely tailed by James Coutts and then there is a fairly substantial gap to third of 14 points to Julia Perry in third place.
Over all in the R50s Wesley Gilford and Andrew Millington are leading the way, Jack Birch one of our Junior drivers and Mike Jode in second, Owen Cule and Matthew Walk round it off in third. As with the R53s all is still to play for, only 4 drivers and co drivers have used their jokers so far and anything could happen in stage rallying.
Next time out we are back in the forest at Trackrod starting off on the night stages, see you all there.
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