By Paul Evans
After 308 days, the forests of Wales finally awoke to the sound of rally cars as Rali Adfer Coedwigoedd Cymru (Welsh Forest Restoration Rally), took place. David Richards, chairman of Motorsport UK, was there to witness the important test event organised by four Welsh motor clubs. Also there was Dai Sport’s rally expert Paul Evans. Here’s his report.
Motorsport was the winner on Saturday’s Rali Adfer Coedwigoedd Cymru as rallying finally restarted in Wales after the coronavirus lockdown.
Despite the sport taking place in vast outdoor spaces, it’s been subject to the Welsh government’s arbitrary 30 maximum person gathering rule.
It took the work of four motor clubs – North Wales Car Club, Clwyd Vale Motor Club, Bala & District Motor Club and Harlech & District Motor Club – a privately owned remote forest, a very limited number of entries and a mountain of Covid-19 compliant guidelines to convince authorities that it could run without contributing to the spread of the virus.
David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK – who was born in nearby Ruthin – was there to see for himself how it all worked out.
https://twitter.com/RallyingUK/status/1338114668724948992
After all, this was only the second forestry stage rally to take place anywhere in the UK since the coronavirus outbreak took hold in the spring, so it was a hugely significant event for rallying across the country, not just in Wales.
We’ll have to wait to see if the track and trace system springs into life to see if the aftermath of the event puts this remote area of Denbighshire (population zero) into Level 4 Armageddon, but it seems doubtful.
With nobody staying in local hotels, no catering on site, no spectators and daylight in north Wales at this time of year dictating how long most would stay at the venue anyway, I – having attended the event – am confident that with the compulsory wearing of face masks, hand sanitiser stations, very easily maintained social distancing and a top class 15 car field, the Rali Adfer Coedwigoedd Cymru will prove to have been an outstanding success.
The event has opened the door to rallying returning to the forests, although no-one is under any illusion as to how far away the sport is from allowing in excess of 100 competitors to compete across a number of forests.
But it’s a start, and that’s all rallying wanted.
As for the competition itself, Ian Bainbridge dominated the event, setting the fastest time on all eight stages in his Skoda Fabia R5 to win by 2mins 33secs.
There were a few late changes to the entry list, meaning that Bainbridge and co-driver Will Atkins had a slightly easier run than they may have anticipated. Hugh Hunter (Fiesta R5) and Dylan Davies (Fabia R5) didn’t take the start, although their places were quickly filled, allowing the maximum number of 15 cars to take part.
Despite the slippery conditions in the magnificent Gorsedd Bran forest, Elliott Payne/Cameron Fair finished second in their front-wheel drive Fiesta – while Fraser Anderson, coached by British rally champion Matt Edwards, and his navigator Rhys Stoneman finished third in a Fiesta R2T.
The drive of the day came from 18-year old Ioan Lloyd. In his first forest rally in an Escort Mk2, the Llandysul teenager (partnered by Dai Roberts) finished a magnificent fourth overall – once again showing what an exceptional talent he truly is.
There were some other notable performances too.
Damian Cole had expected to act as course opening zero car, but accepted the invitation to take over the number one spot from Hunter. Despite not expecting to be competing, he and co-driver Jamie Edwards finished ninth in a road-rally spec Escort.
Jade Paveley made her gravel rally driving debut, guided by her father David who had never co-driven before – and they had plenty to celebrate, after the Llandudno-based family pairing got their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 to the finish.
In fact, there were only two crews who fell victim to the slippery road surface conditions and didn’t reach the finish.
First it was Ross Leach/Hannah Davison who failed to take a corner and left the road in their Subaru Impreza, while Geoff Phelps/Ian Jones ripped a front wheel off their Escort Mk2.
It had taken months of negotiation, weeks preparing a Covid complaint and contactless process and days to make sure that the stages were in superb order.
It was a titanic effort for an event catering for just 15 cars, but the importance of Rali Adfer Coedwigoedd Cymru setting a precedent cannot be underestimated.
Rali Adfer Coedwigoedd Cymru results – all finishers
1. Ian Bainbridge/Will Atkins (Skoda Fabia R5)….32mins 44secs
2. Elliott Payne/Cameron Fair (Ford Fiesta)…. 35mins 17secs
3. Fraser Anderson/Rhys Stoneman (Ford Fiesta R2T)…. 35mins 44secs
4. Ioan Lloyd/Dai Roberts (Ford Escort M2)…. 37mins 49secs
5. James Curtis/Stuart Thomas (BMW 328)…. 37mins 58secs
6. Huw Roberts/Phil Roberts (Peugeot 306)…. 38mins 04secs
7. Ricky Crone/Jonny ‘Tad’ Evans (Ford Escort Mk2)…. 38mins 04secs
8. Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel (Ford Escort)…. 38mins 09secs
9. Damian Cole/Jamie Edwards (Ford Escort)…. 38mins 48secs
10. Arwel Lloyd Jones/Sion Williams Ford Escort Mk2)….38mins 49secs
11. Matthew Steadman/Brynmor Pierce (Lancia Delta Integrate Evo)…. 38mins 49secs
12. Julian Birley/Steve White (Talbot Sunbeam 1600Ti)….39mins 50secs
13. Jade Paveley/David Paveley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3)….42mins 31secs
Ross Leach/Hannah Davison (Subaru Impreza)….DNF, crashed
Geoff Phelps/Ian Jones (Ford Escort Mk2)….DNF, ripped front wheel off