By Paul Evans

Richard Merriman remains on course to win the JD Tyres Welsh Tarmacadam Rally Championship for a fourth time, despite crashing out of the most recent round of the series.

The Pontypridd driver had set top eight overall times on the opening two stages of the recent Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally, but then crashed out of the Epynt event on the tricky section through the German Village.

Despite this, Merriman remains in the lead of the Welsh Tarmacadam series, 16 points ahead of Will Mains (Vauxhall Nova), with Llyr Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) a further point behind in third – having won his class on the Tour of Epynt, Tour of Caerwent, SMC Anglesey Stages and on the Harry Flatters Rally. Co-driven by Kath Curzon, he has also finished third overall and second in class on the Mid Summer Stages Rally.

Luckily the next round of the series, the Carmarthen Motor Club-organised Fairfield Merlin Stages Rally (20 October) at the Welsh Motorsports Centre at Pembrey, is still over a month away, giving Merriman time to repair his Vauxhall-engined Darrian T90.

“The 2019 season has been pretty good so far, with four class wins and some good overall results,” said Merriman. “It was a shame that we crashed out of the Mewla, but we are edging towards our goal and probably only need one more good result to retain our Welsh title.

“As ever I would like to thank our service crew Barrie Jenkins and Neil Central Jones for all their hard work and to our sponsors The Roof Hub, Touchline, Gareth Swan Roofing , Getta Sub and Fat Jesters Print Shop.”