By Paul Evans
Last year’s winner Bob Fowden leads a truly magnificent entry for this Sunday’s Melvyn Evans Motorsport Tour of Epynt.
The Llanelli driver, who is celebrating 40 years in rallying this season, will be the number one seed in his ex-works Comline Auto Parts/NGK-backed Subaru Impreza WRC S11. Starting right behind Fowden is six time MSA Asphalt Rally Champion Damian Cole in his Get Connected Ford Fiesta WRC – the Abergavenny driver looking to add to his impressive tally of 18 rally wins on Epynt.
Event sponsor Melvyn Evans starts at three, followed by 2007 Asphalt Rally Champion Steve Simpson, both driving Subaru Impreza WRCs. Builth Wells’ Jason Pritchard is keeping fans guessing which of his three cars he’ll contest the event in, with the three time MSA British Historic Rally Champion having an envious choice of a Focus WRC05, Fiesta S2000 and an Escort Mk2.
Around 100 cars are expected to start Sunday’s event, which features 75 miles of stages over the famous Epynt military range.
Spectators are welcome and should approach the Epynt ranges via the ‘dual carriageway’ off the A40 at Llywel. Admission is £10 per car and includes a comprehensive Spectator Guide & Entry List. Three locations will provide viewing of all the stages throughout the day – all accessed from the Dixies Corner area and arrowed accordingly.
The finish ceremony will take place in Llandovery at 16.30, with the prizegiving at 18.00.
2018 Melvyn Evans Motorsport Tour of Epynt – seeded top 10
1. Bob Fowden/Aled Davies….Subaru Impreza WRC
2. Damian Cole/Jamie Edwards….Ford Fiesta WRC
3. Melvyn Evans/Mark Glennerster….Subaru Impreza WRC
4. Steve Simpson/Patrick Walsh….Subaru Impreza WRC
5. Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke….TBA
6. Mark Jones/John Hawkins….BMW M3
7. Phil Turner/Simon Anthony….Mitsubishi Evo 9
8. Daniel Harper/Chris Campbell….MINI JCW WRC
9. Ashley Field/TBA….Darrian T90 GTR+
10. Huw Reed/Anthony Hackett….Darrian T90 GTR