It was action packed event for competitors as they tackled the icy conditions on Round 1 of the West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C. Rally Championship, the Red Kite Stages.
Phil Burton and Mal Capstick took victory in the open category in their Ford Escort MK2. The crew took the lead on the opening stage and held it until the end, making it a championship debut to remember.
The most impressive performance was that of the category 1 winners. Ian Beverage and Paul Price took their rare Volvo PV 544 to victory. The crew made the right tyre choice to tackle the icy conditions on the opening test which resulted in them winning the stage by almost two minutes. The crew never looked back and held the lead until the end.
Stuart and Linda Cariss clinched victory in Category 2 in their Ford Escort MK1. The car was only a shell 12 weeks ago and the crew came into the event aiming solely to get the car to the finish. The victory helps them put behind a bad accident in Greystoke last year.
It was a disappointing event for Andrew Stokes and Hu Kent as they retired their Category 2 Hilman Imp on the opening stage with a damaged water pipe.
In Category 3, Grahame Standen and Jane Edgington took victory in their Ford Escort Mk2. The pair overcame a frightening moment on the road section when they went off the road on sheet ice to finish 45 seconds ahead of the Talbot Sunbeam of Dave Hopkins and Tony Vart.
The 2015 West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C. Rally Championship continues with round two, the Mid Wales Stages on Sunday 1 March.
