By Paul Evans
Scott Faulkner has taken the overall lead in the Pirelli Motorsport UK Welsh Forest Rally Championship after finishing third on the Plains Rally in his Group N Mitsubishi Evo IX.
Co-driven by Gareth Parry, it was Faulker’s best ever overall finish as he shared the podium with event winners Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton (Ford Focus WRC) and runners-up Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson (Ford Fiesta WRC).
Tom Llewellin suffered two punctures, but the Haverfordwest teenager still won the Junior section. Co-driven by Ross Whittock, he also finished second in the two-wheel drive section and 14th overall.
Zak Hughes/Tom Wood won their class in a Fiesta ST, as did Ieuan Rowlands/Emyr Hall (Ford Escort), Gethin Price/Tomi Emlyn Williams (Nissan Micra) and Perry Gardener/Keaton Williams (Ford Fiesta R2).
The event, which started in Oswestry and finished in Welshpool, was played out over 42 stage miles in Dyfnant, Aberhirnant and Llangower forests.
Plains Rally – top 10 finishers
1. Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton (Ford Focus WRC)….40:57
2. Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson (Ford Fiesta WRC)….41:48
3. Scott Faulkner/Gareth Parry (Mitsubishi Evo IX)….42:53
4. Russ Thompson/Andy Murphy (Mitsubishi Evo)….43:51
5. Richard Sykes/Simon Taylor (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)….43:55
6. Pat Naylor/Ian Lawrence (Mitsubishi Evo9)….43:59
7. Richard Hill/Patrick Cooper (Subaru Impreza)….44:05
8. Petr Krizan/Lukas Sintal (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)….44:15
9. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Mitsubishi Evo IX)….44:31
10. George Lepley/Tom Woodburn (Hillman Avenger)….44:55