By Paul Evans

Richard Merriman survived an off on Pembrey’s infamous Beach Road to finish the Fairfield Merlin Stages Rally in fifth place and clinch the J.D. Tyres Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship title for a third time.

Co-driven by Kath Curzon, the Pontypridd driver had been third after the opening stage, but eased off after his near miss to ensure his Roof Hub, Touchline, Gareth Swan Roofing-backed Vauxhall-engined Darrian T90 reached the finish in one piece.

“We came here with the championship title in mind and to just have a safe day and pick up points,” said Merriman. “We were doing well after the first stage and were third overall, but then got a little bit too excited and ended up going off on Beach Road. We decided to ease off after that, go back to the original plan and get the car home in one piece to secure the title, which we did. It’s our first season back in the car after an accident three years ago, so to come away with the Welsh title is fantastic. I couldn’t be happier.”

Llandysul’s William Mains secures the runners-up spot in the overall drivers’ standings, to go with his 1400cc Welsh Tarmacadam title, after a typically hard-charging event in his Vauxhall Nova, while Jade Paveley adds third overall to her Class 7 title in her Subaru Impreza.

Carmarthen Motor Club attracted a capacity 70-car entry for five high-speed stages around the Welsh Motorsports Centre. Early morning mist and slippery conditions gave way to bright sunshine in the afternoon, before drizzle on the final stage kept competitors on their toes.

The pace at the front was fierce throughout, but it was Charlie Payne/Carl Williamson who led the event from start to finish to win in their Ford Fiesta WRC. Oli Hopkins (co-driven by his brother Philip) finished a fine second in his very first rally in his Spencer Sport-run Mitsubishi Mirage R5, just 94 seconds behind. Last year’s event winner Thomas Cooper made a caution start in his No1 Home Improvements-backed Mitsubishi, but came home a third, with Ian Davis co-driving.

Phil Turner/Simon Anthony were fourth when they were forced to retire their Mitsubishi with gearbox failure. Pembrokeshire’s Andrew Grange/Ceri Morgan retired their Opel Kadett 400 with transmission problems, while what appeared to be blown Escort engine forced Philip John Lloyd/Arwel Davies out. Barry John/Seyyan John were going, before dropping down the leaderboard when their Impreza WRX got stuck in second gear on the final stage.

Action from the Fairfield Merlin Stages Rally will be broadcast on S4C’s Ralio programme on Monday 29 October.

Fairfield Merlin Stages Rally – top 10 finishers
1. Charlie Payne/Carl Williamson (Ford Fiesta WRC)….48mins 39secs
2. Oli Hopkins/Philip Hopkins (Mitsubishi Mirage R5)….+1min 34secs
3. Thomas Cooper/Ian Davis (Mitsubishi Evo)….+1min 51secs
4. Tom Barber/Dorian Jones (BMW Compact 5)….+2mins 37secs
5. Richard Merriman/Kath Curzon (Darrian T90)….+2mins 46secs
6. Neil Williams/Llyr Jones (Escort RS1800)…._2mins 54secs
7. Malcolm Tar Jones/Rhys Jones (Peugeot 207 R2)….+3mins 21secs
8. Roger Thomas/Dale Bowen (Fiesta R5)….+3mins 39secs
9. Craig Fleming/Sacha Kakad (Subaru Impreza)….+3mins 46secs
10. Ian Sutton/Karen Phelps (Darrian T90)….+3mins 52secs