Davies/Furniss take Cilwendeg win

 

     Kevin “Smiley” Davies and Dale Furniss' win on the famous and long-standing Cilwendeg Rally was to be the highlight of LDMC's road rallying scene. They didn't have it all their own way and were pushed all the way to the post by fellow club member Dan “Lwni” Jones and his navigator Graham Dance who were looking to defend their Cilwendeg crown after winning the 50th anniversary event last year.

     October's road rallying however got underway with the penultimate round of the WAMC Road Rally Championship with the Breidden Rally near Welshpool promoted by Welsh Border Car Club. Daniel “Lwni” Jones was hoping to keep his championship hopes alive heading into the last round but once more, luck wasn't on his side. Jones, with fellow member Dale Furniss navigating, unfortunately broke a front strut only a few miles in and that would leave the door wide open for Meirion Evans to clinch the championship with one round remaining. Debbie Furniss however faired much better on her home event when she guided local Gary Roberts to an excellent 7th O/a and yet another class victory in the Experts class. Andy Davies was the next LDMC member to finish the event in 32ndO/a with Lee Taylor in the navigators seat. A fail however dropped them down from a possible class win just outside the top 10. James Davies and Dafydd Evans reached the finish but unfortunately went OTL in their Peugeot 205 Gti. Anthony Litchfield's event was extremely short lived when he and driver Geraint Parke's event ended in the car park when a throttle cable snapped.

     Just three second was the difference on the Cilwendeg Road Rally after over a 100 miles of navigational rallying with three LDMC members in the top two positions. LDMC members Kevin Davies and Dale Furniss were the eventual winners on a thrilling event on map 145. Dan “ Lwni” Jones was looking to emulate his impressive victory at last years 50thanniversary event with navigator Graham Dance but it wasn't to be and they narrowly missed out on the top spot finish second overall and taking the class victory. Gwyndaf Lloyd in a Ford Escort Mk2 was the next LDMC member home in 18thoverall whilst father and son crew Edryd and Dafydd Evans bought their Honda Civic Type-R home in 26thO/a. Chris Palmer and navigator Carwyn Evans finished 40thoverall incurring two fails on the event. Amongst the retirement were Dorian Evans navigating for Kevin Jones, Steffan “DR” Davies and Rhodri Morgan in an Escort Mk2, Owain Evans and Arfon Griffiths in another Mk2 Escort, Marc Hughes navigating for Barry Davies and Ieuan Evans with navigator Iwan Griffiths in a Vauxhall Astra.