Mel Harry flatters

On the 31st of July Brecon motor club hosted their Harry Flatters rally over the Epynt Military Ranges and saw a good turnout of members from Lampeter and District Motor club with potential for excellent results amongst the entrants. The rally was split into two separate rallies with a historic rally, for older specification vehicles, and a modern rally taking place, but they would be using the same stages and will be on the same entry list. The rally was made up of 5 stages over the famous ranges, giving the crews a total of 70 competitive miles to enjoy.

 

On the entry list representing the club were modern rally entrants Sean Crowley and Emma Jones at number 8 in their Mitsubishi Colt Evo, a crew that had the potential to do very well and achieve an excellent result amongst the competition. At 10 were historic rally entrants Melvyn Evans in a Mk2 Ford Escort RS, with Patrick Walsh navigating. Navigating in car 12 for Mark Jones was Llion Williams, in a BMW M3 who would be running in the modern rally. Also navigating in car 50, another Mk2 Ford Escort, was Iwan Griffiths, partnering Barry Jones who were also running in the historic rally. At 64 was yet another Mk2 Ford Escort with Ieuan Evans driving, and Rhys Jones navigating. Driving car 77, a Citroen Xsara was Malcom Jones, with Ryan Thomas-Hands in the passenger seat, both were running in the modern rally.

It was to be an eventful first stage Sean and Emma as they had to deal with a small fire under the bonnet as a small amount of oil leaked onto the Mitsubishi’s turbo, thankfully it was quickly extinguished and the crew were able to continue the event. Despite this incident they still managed seventh quickest modern on that stage. Mark Jones and Llion Williams had an excellent start to their rally as they managed fifth fastest modern on the opening stage. Also going well on the opening stage were Malcom Jones and Ryan Thomas-Hands in their Xsara, who were thirtieth overall and first in class. Unfortunately, car 64, the Mk2 escort of Ieuan Evans and Rhys Jones were to be the only retirements amongst club members on that day, sadly retiring on the first stage.

In the historic rally the Mk2 escort of Melvyn Evans and Patrick Walsh began their day with fastest overall on the opening stage, and Barry Jones and Iwan Griffiths managed tenth quickest.

harry flatters sean emma

After the first service halt Sean and Emma had unfortunately gained 50 seconds of penalties for leaving the service halt five minutes late, this dropped them down to twelfth overall. Sean would go on to drive his heart out over the four remaining stages, and with guidance from Emma, they manged to begin climbing their way back up the leader board, by setting sixth fastest on the second stage with a time of 12 minutes 50 seconds. Only six seconds behind on this stage were Mark Jones and Llion Williams in their BMW. Malcom Jones and Ryan Thomas-Hands continued to do well and managed twenty seventh fastest time.

In the Historic rally Melvyn Evans and Patrick Walsh once again set the fastest overall stage time in their Mk2 Ford Escort RS, something they in fact did on all five stages. Barry Jones and Iwan Griffith doing well and managing twelfth quickest in their Mk2.

The modern rally continued with Sean Crowley continuing to post excellent times in the attempt to claw back time from the day’s earlier penalty, who were constantly well inside the top ten, eventually finishing an excellent sixth overall, and second in class, only one second behind the class winner, they also won the mixed crew award. Just
behind them in seventh place overall at the finish were Mark Jones and Llion Williams, who had an excellent run thought the day and were awarded a place well inside the top ten for their efforts. Malcom Jones and Ryan Thomas-Hands managed a very respectable twenty sixth overall in their Citroen Xsara, winning their class at the same time.

In the Historic rally Melvyn Evans and Patrick Walsh dominated the event, winning the rally by a comfortable minute and nine seconds, after setting fastest time on all of the day’s stages. Barry Jones and Iwan Griffiths also manged to get into the top 10 of the historic rally as they finished an excellent sixth overall in their Mk2 Ford Escort, rounding of a successful weekend for the club members on this thrilling fast paced event.

With thanks to RallySport Media for the use of the Image of Melvyn Evans and Patrick Walsh and to Jack Reynolds for the use of his image of Sean Crowley and Emma Jones.