By Paul Evans

Richard Merriman takes a slender three-point advantage into the final round of the J.D. Tyres Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship, which takes place at the Welsh Motorsports Centre at Pembrey this Sunday.

Carmarthen Motor Club has received a magnificent entry for its Fairfield Merlin Stages Rally (an event formally known as the Peter Lloyd Stages).

The new event name comes about courtesy of new title sponsorship from Bridgend-based Fairfield Motorsport, together with a nod to Merlin the magician, who is said to have been born in Carmarthen.

Merriman hopes to clinch his third Welsh Tarmacadam title this weekend, as the Pontypridd driver, co-driven by Kath Curzon, prepares for battle in his Roof Hub, Touchline, Gareth Swan Roofing-backed 1998cc Vauxhall-engined Darrian T90. Having recorded three podium finishes on the event in nine starts, Merriman is certainly the favourite for the title, on paper at least.

Having already secured the 1400cc Welsh Tarmacadam title, William Mains is Merriman’s nearest rival in the overall standings. The giant-killing Llandysul man’s Vauxhall Nova won’t be at home on the faster and wider parts of Pembrey, but there are plenty of narrow and technical sections where it might at least have equal status – and if it’s wet, perhaps even the upper hand. Co-driven by Arfon Griffiths, you can be sure that Mains will be giving it his all to overturn the current three-point deficit.

Third in the points’ standings, and in with a shout of the title, is Jade Paveley. She makes the journey down from the North Wales coast and will be co-driven by Ammanford’s Claire Williams in her Subaru Impreza.

Last year’s rally winner Thomas Cooper is seeded at number one, the Craig Cefn Parc driver partnered by Ian Davis this time in his T.C.S. Plant Hire Mitsubishi. Charlie Payne/Carl Williamson start at two in their powerful Ford Fiesta WRC, while Cooper’s grandson, Phil Turner, starts at three in another Mitsubishi Evo, co-driven by Simon Anthony.

Scott Williams Motorsport will run two cars – an Escort Mk2 for the rapid Barry ‘Bach’ Jones/Iwan Griffiths and an Escort Mk1 driven by the Osprey’s centre himself – and co-driven by his wife Tanya.

The event is also a round of the junior Formula 1000 Rally Championship, with some of the best Welsh 14 to 17-year old rally drivers taking part.

Thanks to a new access road and elevated spectator parking on the banking overlooking the Pembrey circuit, fans will be able to park a lot closer to the service area and will be able to view a lot of the action without getting out of the car. Sunday’s opening stage begins at 09.30.

Fairfield Merlin Stages Rally – top 10 seeds
1. Thomas Cooper/Ian Davis….Mitsubishi Evo
2. Charlie Payne/Carl Williamson….Ford Fiesta WRC
3. Phil Turner/Simon Anthony…. Mitsubishi Evo
4. Roger Thomas/Dale Bowen….Fiesta R5
5. Oliver Hopkins/Philip Hopkins…. Mitsubishi Mirage R5
6. Darren James/Dafydd Sion Lloyd…. Mitsubishi Evo 6
7. Richard Merriman/Kath Curzon….Darrian T90
8. Neil Williams/Llyr Jones….Escort RS1800
9. Philip John Lloyd/TBC….Escort
10 Craig Fleming/Sacha Kakad….Subaru Impreza N11