With three different winners in the last three rounds and an Escort Mk2 driver leading the overall standings, the race for the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship has never been more open – and now crews are gearing up to make their title challenge moves on this weekend’s Nigel Ferguson Fabricators Tour of Epynt (20/21 July).
Against a myriad of mighty Rally2 and R5 cars, Darren Atkinson tops the main drivers’ points table after five rounds in his Haldane Fisher Escort Mk2. But the powerful 4WD crews are on a charge – notably second-placed Neil Roskell, who said after the last round that he’s “back to where I want to be”. The ND Civils/Burdens/Witham Motorsport Fiesta Rally2 driver took home second-place points on the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally to move back into second in the points table, while Dai Roberts tops the co-drivers’ standings.
After a less than perfect start to the season, Callum Black bounced back by scoring 58 points out of a possible 60 on the two Scottish rounds, rocketing him from 10th to third in the standings to get his title defence back on track. The 586 Sport driver has little experience of Epynt, so will be more reliant than ever on Jack Morton to guide him over the blind crests and jumps in his Pallas Connections Fiesta Rally2.
Simon Bowen/Craig Simkiss had led the championship standings but couldn’t contest Argyll and head to Epynt in fourth. But that’s no bad thing as it’s one dropped score already accounted for and they’ll be after another strong points finish in their Fiesta S2000T.
Hugh Hunter might only be 10th in the standings but the Ruthin man can count every point he scores from now on. Another good result in his Robert Hunter & Son Tarmac/Lewis & Hunter Contracting Fiesta Rally2 would put him and co-driver Rob Fagg right back into title contention.
Three retirements have all-but ended Mark Kelly’s challenge for the title, but he and co-driver Will Atkins are more than capable of winning rallies as they set out to reverse their fortunes in their Kelmore Škoda Fabia R5.
Stephen Simpson/Mark Glennerster will be hoping to put their Epynt experience to good use in their Tudor Glass Fiesta Rally2, while Sam Touzel has been gaining in confidence in his Smart Scaffolding/Express Auto Parts Fiesta Rally2 and could go extremely well with Epynt winner Max Freeman co-driving.
Hugh Brunton/Drew Sturrock have rally-winning pace and a clean run would without doubt see them right up at the sharp end in their PM Print Škoda Fabia Rally2.
Epynt is something of a spiritual home to Darrian, with famous victories going back to the days of 1990 Asphalt champions Geoff Kitney/Alan McCann. This time it’s Wayne Jones/Dafydd Evans flying the Darrian flag in their T90 GTR.
Roger Duckworth/Alun Cook picked up 12th-place points at the opening round in their Technia Fiesta R5 and return, Kevin Davies/Owain Davies are back in their Cobra Hydraulics Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 and David White (co-driven this time by Harry Walshaw) will be looking for a top 10 Protyre Asphalt result having just missed out last time in his White’s Bakery Fiesta R5.
John Forrest/Ashleigh Will have repaired their Literal Ink Fiesta Rally2 after a very unfortunate incident on the Manx and return to the series in their immaculate Alan Causey Autosport-prepared car.
Mike English/Graham Wild are also back in their Proact Fiesta Rally2, while Roger and Tommi Henderson (DKMS We Delete Blood Cancer Fiesta Rally2) and Ant Eaton/Ian Jackson (Autotest Fiesta R5) aim to bounce back after crashing out of the last round.
William Hill is a fantastic fifth in the overall drivers’ standings and will be looking for his fifth class B14 win of the season in his Hills Ford Fiesta Rally3. The Worcester will be co-driven by Richard Crozier.
Philip Hopkins always goes well on Epynt and together with Sam Allen will be hoping to stretch the legs of his Hopkins Race Transporters Mitsubishi Evo 6 and score a good class and overall result.
The same is true for Nathan Bolton/Phil Kenny (Monza Installs Mitsubishi Evo 9), Richard Slinger/Mark Twiname (Mitsubishi Evo 6) and Adrian Spencer/Ashley Trimble in their RED Industries/Adgespeed Subaru Impreza S11 WRC replica, while Tom Jones/Andy Conibear (Subaru Impreza) contest their first event since the Manx.
Paul Evans/Callum Young arrive on Epynt with a slender class B10 lead and a repaired Electric Bike Supermarket Escort Mk2 having rolled the car in Argyll. They’ll continue their close title battle with Rory and Paul McCann (Metalways Honda Civic), Kyle Casement/Liam McCann (BVS Vehicles Citroën C2), Max Murray/TBC (Citroën C2) and Darren and Danni Pool (Eveleighs Garage Vauxhall Corsa).
Defending B11 champions Michael Harbour/Cameron Dunn (VS Pro Pressure Washing Services/Miller Waste Water Escort Mk2) arrive leading the class and will resume their battle against the likes of Ben Crump/Ian Beamond (Coltech Escort Mk2), Geoff Glover/Keith Barker (Vauxhall Astra RWD) and Chris Butcher/Jonathan Hawkins (Severnside Defibs Nissan Sunny GTI F2). Matt Turner/Tom Bishop are also back, having repaired their Escort Mk2 after their Legend Fires North West Stages shunt.
Gordon Morrison/Ian Parker will be aiming for their first class B13 win of the season having finished second on the last two outings in their Escort Mk2. They’ll be battling with Huw James/Lewis Sim (A&D Tyres Escort Mk2), Aled Wyn Morgans/Ian Taylor (KGP-powered 2.5-litre Aberystwyth Motorsport Escort Mk2), Mathew Dance/Jason Davies (Escort Mk2), Gerry Fitzelle/Phil Sandham (Escort Mk2) and Tim Cole/David Sutcliffe (Manx Automobile Assistance/MAA Logistics BMW E36 Compact)
Simon Hunter/Howard Pridmore lead class B9 in their Kwiktrak Vauxhall Corsa S1400 and will have very stiff competition from Will Mains (Vauxhall Nova) who is fearless over Epynt.
Nikki Addison (co-driven by Iain Thorburn) will be aiming for her fourth win in the Ladies’ Challenge and a second class B11 podium finish of the season in her Electric Center Honda Civic Type-R.
It’s also great to see double B12 class champions Mike Pugsley/Marc Clatworthy return to the series in their 1974 Escort RS2000 Mk1, while Nathan Evans/Rhys Edwards are back in their rapid Tuned Motorsport UK/The Kitchen Installers Renault Clio RS.
Organised by Port Talbot MC, this year’s Tour of Epynt takes place over two days, with four stages (one short and one long over the New Road) on Saturday (20 July) and four longer stages (two running east across the ranges and then two running back west) on Sunday (21 July). The ceremonial finish be held in Llandovery.
Action from the Tour of Epynt will be streamed live and free-to-view on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels.
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