Aled Wyn Morgans will aim to retain the lead of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship when he contests the R Kings Down Rally (22 August) in his Aberystwyth Motorsport/OW’s Cabs Ford Fiesta Rally2 – although he’ll face a stern test on his first event in Northern Ireland.
Co-driven by Jack Bowen, Aled arrives on great form and full of confidence, having scored five outstanding results from five starts this season – including a Protyre Asphalt podium finish on the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally and a fourth-place finish on the recent Ynyscynon MOT Centre Tour of Epynt.
It’s a remarkable achievement given that this is his first season competing in a Rally2 car, and another strong result would not only see him maintain his BTRDA sealed-surface lead, but also keep him in pole position for the end-of-season prize of a private test in an M-Sport Puma Rally1 car.
Brad Cole closed the gap on both the series lead and the M-Sport prize after scoring his first Protyre Asphalt podium finish on Epynt. The Somerton driver scored fourth-place points on last year’s Down Rally, and that experience could prove invaluable. He’ll be co-driven by Jamie Vaughan in his Trick Motorsport-prepared and East Budleigh Garage-run Hydroline Solutions Fiesta Rally2.
With two scores already dropped and two wins and a second-place finish in the bag, Jason Pritchard is in a strong position to win his fourth Protyre Asphalt title. The Builth Wells ace dominated the Tour of Epynt, scoring his first outright win in his Pirelli-shod North Road Garage/Guttercrest Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Phil Clarke has called the notes for Jason on almost every rally over the last 12 years, but with his regular co-driver away at a family wedding, the experienced Rob Fagg steps in this time.
Also able to count every point he scores between now and the end of the season, Ian Forgan heads to Round 6 aiming to strengthen his title challenge in his Mercury Motorsport Fiesta Rally2. Co-driven by Chris Lees, the Fife driver led the series earlier, and a maiden Protyre Asphalt podium finish would do his title aspirations no harm at all.
John Stone will be aiming to continue his excellent season in his Legend Performance Engineering/Legend Fires Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. Currently lying fifth in the drivers’ points table between Jason and Ian, a good result could see the Blackburn driver rocket into the top three. He scored maximum Protyre Asphalt points on the 2019 Down Rally and showed incredible pace last year, and with Rhys Stoneman on the notes will be aiming for another strong run this time.
Roger Duckworth/Alun Cook will be aiming to bounce back from a very rare retirement last time out, when their Technia Fiesta R5 suffered power steering problems. It will be the Towcester driver’s first time at the Down Rally and his first encounter with the legendary Hamilton’s Folly jump.
Stephen Simpson scored a brilliant Protyre Asphalt podium on the 2023 Down Rally. Co-driven by Mark Glennerster, the 2007 champion will be aiming for an equally good run this time in his Tudor Glass Fiesta Rally2.
Adrian Spencer snatched the Class 2 lead after a great run on Epynt in his new two-door, self-built, RED Industries/Adgespeed Subaru Impreza S5 WRC lookalike. The Manchester driver started rallying 50 years ago and, over the last two decades, has become synonymous with Subaru Imprezas – and is a multiple Protyre Asphalt class champion. He’s also done almost 100 rallies with co-driver Mark Hewitt and together they bring an enormous amount of experience and speed to the Northern Ireland closed road event.
John and Ciaran Tear are likely to give them a good run for their money, however. The Scottish father and son duo won Class 2 on the Argyll Rally and will be out to repeat that result in their CamperMann/OrmCoAccounts Mitsubishi Evo 9.
Lee Edwards arrives at the Down Rally lying third in the overall drivers’ standings, and very much in with a chance of winning the title in his Jaguar-engined Blakemore’s Autos/Evans Construction Ford Escort G3. Another class win could also give the Oswestry driver the Class 3 title, although he and co-driver Sam Spencer will have lots of strong 2WD opposition.
Russell Addyman remains Lee’s closest rival for the Class 3 title, while Kev Wilson leads the class co-drivers’ category. The Harrogate pair will be looking for another good run in their Escort Mk2, having scored their first Protyre Asphalt podium last time out on Epynt.
Huw James will revert to his trusty A&D Tyres/Maxxis Escort for this event. Despite collecting a puncture on SS1 and surviving a big landing after the famous Hamilton’s Folly jump on SS2, they led the 2WD category in the car last year (before the car became stuck in first gear). After a bit of bad luck with their new and developing Fiat 131 Sport, Huw and co-driver Lewis Sim will be aiming to get their mojo back and be hoping for a clean, competitive and trouble-free run in the Mk2.
Gareth ‘Gaz’ Price has been spectacular in his CR M-Tech Motorsport/EDJ Agri/E&M Motor Factors BMW Compact – scoring a season-best second in class in Argyll. Co-driven by Liam Evans, he’ll be after another podium finish this time out.
Alistair Crawford is equal on points with Gareth in what is increasingly looking like the battle for the runners-up spot. The Hawick driver finished second in class on Epynt and will be partnered this time in his 2.5-litre H&R Contracts Escort Mk2 by Josh Davidson.
Gareth Humphreys has been knocking on the door of a Protyre Asphalt Class 3 podium finish all season – and if he and co-driver Aaron Mallin manage it this time, it would be just reward for a strong season in their Mini Cooper S R53.
Neil Jones/Alan Thomas arrive at the Down Rally leading Class 6 in their #TeamPitStop/West Wales Rally Spares Escort Mk2. They’ll be aiming for four wins in a row this time, as the Welsh pair move ever closer to the title.
Aiming to stop that fantastic run of victories will be double Protyre Asphalt class champions Mike Pugsley/Marc Clatworthy in their 1974 Escort Mk1 RS2000.
It’s all to play for in Class 7, with three crews heading to Northern Ireland to continue the battle for the title.
Anthony Jevons leads the way in his AMJ Coatings Fiesta R2. The Milford Haven driver finished second in class in Northern Ireland last year, so knows his way around the County Down lanes. Co-driven by the defending Protyre Asphalt Ladies Challenge champion Margaret Kelly, Anthony has finished second four times in a row this year too, so he’ll be keen to score a richly deserved class win.
Manxman Peter Harrison won the class last time out on what was his first event on Epynt. Co-driven by Nigel Morris, the Peel driver is super-quick on closed roads and will once again be pushing his Peugeot 106 GTi to the limit.
Having won Class 7 on the Jim Clark and Argyll rallies, Charlie Wright will be aiming for a hat-trick of wins in his Harper Adams University prepared and run Fiesta R2T. There have been no signs of the turbo boost and intercooler problems that delayed Charlie and co-driver Adam Westerby on the Down Rally last year, and a good result will strengthen the Shropshire driver’s challenge for the class title.
Defending BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup and Mini Challenge champion Andrew O’Hanlon contests the event in his Mini Cooper S. The Market Harborough driver currently lies second in Class H1, and a first class win of the season would close the gap on leader and arch-rival Shane Gamble – while Kevin Hogan could take the lead of the co-drivers’ section.
Andrew Bushe will be hoping for a good run on home soil in his RallyRetro/Carryduff Tyre Centre/Adams Transport/McMurray Tractors/GSM-Sport/Superdrive Motor Sports Centre Vauxhall Chevette HSR. Co-driven by Geraldine McBride, the local driver enjoyed a great run on the Manx and will be hoping for more flamboyant flair this time too.
Action from the Down Rally will be streamed live and free to view on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels.
Organised by Rathfriland Motor Club, this year’s Down Rally features eight closed road special stages totalling 61.4 stage miles. The rally will start at 08:45, with the finish ceremony at The Boulevard precinct in Banbridge from 17:00 onwards.
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