Rallying: Woodburn's fine start goes on with podium

Stage one of the Cambrian Rally saw Phil Burton/Mal Capstick setting a decent time in their Millington-powered Escort Mk2, but SS2 was rough and many cars hit a large hole which claimed several crews.

SS3 was, in the crew’s words “a hell hole of rallying”. A visit into the service area saw the support crew spanner check the car before SS4.

One particular right-hand bend saw the pair’s car swiping out posts and several metres of coloured tape as it attacked the exit and swept down the route – a bent bumper being the only damage.

The final special stage was over the Great Orme, which is 100 per cent tarmac, so appropriate Pirelli tyres were fitted.

However, it wasn’t to be a day of success for Ian Joel/Graeme Wood, making an unaccustomed error, their Chris Allen Garages (Fylde) Escort Cosworth caught a boulder which threw the car into the air – it was to be the proverbial early bath for the uninjured crew.

The Aaron McClure/Alex Kihurani Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9 suffered a similar fate – Aaron rolling the car into retirement on SS3. At the finish, local honours were upheld by the Rhys Yates/Tom Woodburn Fiesta R5, the crew gaining sixth overall.

The Wayne Sisson/Peter Foy duo in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X were rewarded with a second in Class B13, and ninth overall in their Mitsubishi.

The Burton/Capstick Escort finished in 18th overall and first in class award and opened their BTRDA account with a fist full of points at the start of the season.

In the Red Kite Rally, organised by Amman and District Motor Club, Tom Woodburn co-drove for Rhys Yates in his Fiesta 1600 and the duo were seeded at number 11 out of the 125 total entry.

The pairing found themselves on the podium with a superb third place overall in the ‘National B’ rally.

Report: GMS