By Paul Evans
A watching Nicky Grist approved of the way Elliot Payne raced to victory on Saturday’s Nicky Grist Stages.
Sat beside Colin McRae, the Abergavenny co-driver has been in and out of more ditches than most – and still gone on to score some famous rally wins.
And that’s exactly what Payne did at the weekend, when he spun his Mango Go Ford Fiesta Rally2 backwards into a ditch halfway through the event and continued flat out like nothing had happened.
Co-driven by Tom Woodburn, Payne took a jump in the Monument stage flat-out and couldn’t slow down enough for the following corner – but despite the time loss, Payne won the event by 7.9 seconds to extend his lead in the MRF Tyres BTRDA Gold Star Series.
Nicky Grist showing the spin incident to Elliot Payne left) and Matthew Hirst (who finished second, right). Pic: Paul Evans
In a huge field of 127 starters, Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear finished second in their Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5 to maintain their BTRDA title challenge and also extend their lead in the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship.
Such was the pace of the top two, that they finished over a minute ahead of third placed Arron Newby/Jamie Edwards in their Tatham Tyre Services-backed Škoda Fabia R5.
Local driver Jason Pritchard and co-driver Phil Clarke were the top placed two-wheel drive finishers, coming home a magnificent 10th overall in their Trailhead Get Jerky Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2.
There was a carnival atmosphere in the host town of Builth Wells, with the start ceremony on Strand Street, the service area on the Builth Wells RFC pitch and the podium ceremonies on the Groe – on the banks of the River Wye, with Builth Wells’ 18th Century bridge and surrounding rolling hills in the background.
#NGStages23 top 3:
1. Elliot Payne/Tom Woodburn
2. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear
3. Arron Newby/Jamie Edwards@nickygrist @QMCLTD @BTRDARally @ourmotorsportuk @Builthwells1 @PowysCC pic.twitter.com/CKzmJxEunN— Nicky Grist Stages (@NGStages) July 8, 2023
All this was made possible thanks to the magnificent support of Powys County Council, Builth Wells Town Council, Builth Wells Rugby Football Club and the businesses and residents of Builth Wells.
“This year’s Nicky Grist Stages has gone really well, and everything has run to plan,” said Nicky Grist.
“It’s been a bit of a change this year, because normally we have hot dry weather and we’ve had a bit of rain thrown in this time to make the challenge a little greater for the crews. That said, all the competitors that I’ve spoken to have had a wonderful time.
“As event organisers, the Nicky Grist Stages sets itself a challenge to provide good roads and we want competitors to enjoy themselves.
“I was watching at the end of one of the stages and seeing all the smiling faces coming out is testimony to what the event is trying to achieve.
“Having one hundred and twenty-seven starters shows how popular the event is. Although we keep on hearing that rallying is dying in the UK, this event proves that rallying isn’t dying but in fact it is thriving and vibrant – and you can see on this event that we’ve had depth and breadth right the way through our entry. This event proves that rallying is a very positive thing in the UK still.”
“Quinton Motor Club would like to thank everyone who has supported this year’s event, from Nicky Grist, the landowners and local authorities, the championships and competitors, the marshals and officials, the local businesses, and the local residents,” said rally boss Neil Cross.
“Without their support we could not put on such a spectacular event.”
The 2024 Nicky Grist Stages will take place on Saturday 13 July.
The top crews arrive back in @Builthwells1 for midday service, with Elliot Payne/Tom Woodburn leading Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear by just 8.2secs after this morning’s 4 #NGStages23 stages.@nickygrist @QMCLTD @BTRDARally @WnRC pic.twitter.com/QOQxKQ4mec
— Nicky Grist Stages (@NGStages) July 8, 2023
2023 Nicky Grist Stages – top 10 finishers
1. Elliot Payne/Tom Woodburn (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….43mins 04.4secs
2. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Ford Fiesta R5)….43mins 12.3secs
3. Arron Newby/Jamie Edwards (Škoda Fabia R5)….44mins 23.2secs
4. Russ Thompson/Stephen Link (Mitsubishi Evo 9)….44mins 46.1secs
5. Alistair Ginley/Craig Thorley (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….44mins 56.4secs
6. Ian Bainbridge/Will Atkins (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….45mins 15.2secs
7. Rob Wilson/Richard Crozier (Mitsubishi Evo 7)….45mins 18.3secs
8. Bob Morgan/Ade Williams (Škoda Fabia R5)….45mins 59.6secs
9. Gavin Edwards/Caron Tomlinson (Ford Fiesta R5)….46mins 19.7secs
10. Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2)….47mins 02.7secs