Entries flood in for the Welsh Rally Championship

More than 130 competitors have signed up to contest the opening round of this year's Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship.
 
The seven-round gravel series begins on March 26 with the WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales based in Dolgellau. Other Mid Wales rounds include the Rallynuts Stages Rally on April 9 and the Nicky Grist Stages on July 9, both based in Builth Wells.
 
A strong entry is reported in all 14 classes. Some of the leading driver registrations include the 2019 champion Matthew Hirst, who has swapped his Mitsubishi Evo IX for a new Delta Salvage-backed Ford Fiesta R5+.
 
The 2018 drivers' champion Dylan Davies has registered in his Skoda Fabia R5+, Roland Llewellin has swapped his Mitsubishi Evo X for a Hyundai i20 R5, while the 2019 Welsh junior champion Tom Llewellin returns in his Brace's Bakery Mitsubishi Mirage.
 
The 2019 championship runner-up Russ Thompson is back in his GPM / PD Extinguishers backed Mitsubishi Evo 9, while Bob Morgan (Skoda Fabia R5+).
 
Dave Evison, championship secretary, said the level of interest in this year’s championship underlined the demand for gravel rallying in Wales.
 
"There are so many positives, with younger drivers looking to challenge for top honours whilst the more mature drivers will be looking to put them in their place in equally powerful machinery,” he added.
 
"The number of latest specification four-wheel drive cars benefits the sport all around, whilst the historic category is very well supported, adding a strength in depth to the championship. There is excellent support from the clubmen as well.”
 
Further details on the 2022 Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: https://wnrc.wamc.org.uk/.

Picture caption:
 
Tom Llewellin in a Mitsubishi Mirage, 2019 Welsh Junior champion.
Image: Chris Huish, RallySport Media.