andy autumn

Andy Davies and Michael Gilbey after winning a challanging Autumn

On the 22nd and 23rd of September Carmarthen motor club held their event in the road rally calendar, the Autumn, a rally that would count as a qualifying round of the welsh road rally championship. Starting in the Cattle market Llanllwch, Carmarthen and would be made up of some 100 miles on OS maps 145 and 159.

                Lampeter and district motor club were well represented on the entry list, with first club members being at car 3, which was Andy Davies once again out his Subaru Impreza IDZ, he was once again partnered with Michael Gilbey, both of whom were going for welsh championship points.  Navigating in car 4 was former winner of this event Cadog Davies, who for this event was out with Irfon Richards in a Mk2 Ford Escort. Another club member navigating in car 7 was Dafydd Evans, who was navigating for Kevin “penclawdd” Jones, in Kevin’s Toyota Corolla. Making a return to the lanes in car 14 was Justin Jones in a newly purchased Vauxhall Astra, he had Ian Beamond navigating for him. Down in 34 was James Davies in his Proton Compact, for this event he was partnered up with Richard Williams. Navigating in car 45 was Richard Hughes, he was another in a Mk2 ford escort, and was navigating for Tomos Evans. At 59 was Daniel Williams in his BMW 318ti, he was once again partnered by Shaun Richards.

                With cars leaving the start venue just before midnight there was a short run out to the first competitive section where the action began. The first section of the rally was a tight one, that was timed to the minute, and everyone picked up penalties on it. Andy and Michael were pace setters early on, with one minute gained here on time control 3. Ifron and Cadog matched them here and also picked up a minute, as did Daniel and Shaun who were off to an excellent start. Kevin and Dafydd received two minutes, as did Justin and Ian as well as James and Richard Williams as well as Tomos and Richard Hughes.

                Time controls 4 and 5 were another two tight sections, although Andy and Michael did manage to get through time control 5 without gaining penalties. It was an early night for Irfon and Cadog though as after some 8 miles the engine cried enough on their escort and that was their rally over. Best amongst club members at time control 4 were James and Richard who had gained a minute and 9 seconds here, an excellent time by them. Kevin and Dafydd were next on 1 minute 18 seconds, then Justin and Ian on 1 minute 38.

                The route then headed north on to map 145 where the lanes in the southern section of the map were used. Here the events first spectator point was located, on a 90 degree left turn just south-east of Abernant. From here competitors travelled up a white lane before arriving at time control 9 which was located just south of Talog. This was another tight section where everyone picked up penalties. Kevin and Dafydd were having an excellent run as they managed a great a penalty count of 1 minute and 8 seconds here. Andy and Michael were next on 1 minute and 44 seconds, followed by Daniel and Shaun who had 1 minute and 52 seconds. Behind them were Justin and Ian on 1 minute and 59 seconds. Tomos and Richard managed 2 minutes and 21 seconds and James and Richard had 3 minutes and 17 seconds.

                The next few time controls saw many crews going through without picking up any penalties ad the route headed up past Cynwyl Elfed. From there competitors went west towards Trelerch before turning south again and going around Pen y Bont. The final few time controls of the first half were located around here, with time control 14 and 15 both being tight sections, and time control 16, which was the last of the first half. Andy and Micheal managed to pass through time control 14 without gaining any penalties, and had 1 minute and 6 seconds at time control 15. They then picked up 31 seconds at time control 16. Kevin and Dafydd received 7 seconds at time control 14, 45 seconds at time control 15, and 29 seconds at time control 16, rounding off what had been an excellent half for them. Justin and Ian achieved 18 seconds at time control 14, 1 minute and 33 seconds at time control 15, and a minute and 8 seconds at time control 16. James and Richard had 10 seconds at time control 14, a minute and 19 at time control 15, and 1 minute at time control 16. Tomos and Richard achieved 39 seconds at time control 14, 1 minute 40 at time control 15 and 1 minute 23 at time control 16. Daniel and Shaun ended their first half with 1 minute and 25 seconds at time control 14, a minute 37 at 15 and a minute 15 at 16.

                With the refuel halt at Tenby road back on map 159 it was Kevin and Dafydd who were best among club members who held third overall with a total penalty count of 5 minutes and 51 seconds. Andy and Michael were right behind them in fourth with 6 minutes and 4 seconds. Justin and Ian were in twelfth with 9 minutes and 26 seconds. Tomos and Richard were in fifteenth with 11 minutes and 35 seconds. Daniel and Shaun were in eighteenth on 12 minutes and 7 seconds. James and Richard were in fifty-fourth with 9 minutes and 30 seconds having picked up three fails for not having signatures for code boards.

                With refuelling taken care of it was back into the lanes for another half of competition. The second half began just south of Cwmffrwd before heading down towards Ferryside. From here the route headed east towards Meinciau. Time control 20 was located just after here and was the first tight section for the front running crews. Kevin and Dafydd were really pushing and managed to complete this section without gaining any penalties.  Andy and Michael were another really pushing on this section, recording an excellent time with only 10 seconds of penalties gained. Justin and Ian managed 1 minute and 15 here, and James and Richard had 54 seconds. Tomos and Richard managed 52 seconds and Daniel and Shaun had a minute.

                Following this section competitors then headed towards Capel Seion before turning towards Cwmisfael. Time control 22 was located on this section, and here it was Andy and Michael that pushed hardest and achieved a great time of 41 seconds here. Next best among club members were Kevin and Dafydd who were still pushing hard and were rewarded with a time of 1 minute and an a second. Daniel and Shaun were next on 1 minute and 4 seconds.

                The final time control of the night was time control 24, and was located just north of Llangyndeyn. Andy and Michael managed to get through this one penalty free as part of one last push for glory. Kevin and Dafydd rounded off their excellent night with a penalty count of 31 seconds here. Justin and Ian managed to get the new car round to the end with some very respectable times including the 49 seconds they had here. James and Richard ended their night with 52 seconds and Tomos and Richard had an impressive 44 seconds. Daniel and Shaun rounded off their excellent run with 53 seconds.

                At the end of an enjoyable but tough night it was Andy and Michael who took overall victory in their Subaru, with a total time of 6 minutes and 55 seconds. Kevin and Dafydd were at a well deserved second place overall in their Toyota with 7 minutes and 23 seconds. Justin and Ian were eleventh overall with 12 minutes and 50 seconds, a very respectful result in the new car. Tomos and Richard were fourteenth with 15 minutes and 4 seconds in their Ford. Daniel and Shaun managed to win the semi-expert class with their result of eighteenth overall on a penalty count of 18 minutes and 56 seconds in the BMW. James and Richard were in forty fourth due to the fails they had picked up in the first half, their time 13 minutes and 56 seconds.

                Many thanks must go to Andy Davies for the use of his image for this report.