With less than two weeks to go before the 2019 British Rally Championship, Pirelli Welsh National and BTRDA series get underway with the North Walian Cambrian Rally, the event offers competitors the classic forests of Alwen,Gwydir, Crafnant and Clocaenog, and 130 entries have already been received on what is increasingly becoming a quality list.

One local crew expected to join the list are husband and wife duo, Nigel and Karen Jenkins, in the NJ Autos 16v Nova, who are looking to do the whole series or head to Belgium to sample some European tarmac events.

Karen said: “We really weren’t sure what to do this year, but with the new rule changes, we may start the BTRDA series, we don’t have the budget to do the whole championship as yet, but if we can find some sponsorship we feel we can challenge for honours, or we may try a couple of Belgian rallies for something different.”

Already confirmed on the entry are James Dunkley and Dan Sayce in the Dunkley Auto Services Vauxhall Corsa. These two are also looking at a full BTRDA 1400 campaign.

Brothers, Tim and Geoff Phelps, will take their Escorts up for the Cambrian and Ross based Tim will have Elwyn Manuel on the notes with Pete Wilson co driving Newent based Geoff.

Coleford based co-driver, Colin Jenkins, will be reunited with Chester based Simon Pickering for the event in his mk1 Escort RS1600.

Veteran campaigner, Eric Davis, will have a family battle on his hands when he competes in the Mini Cup run within the HRCR series, and he will be joined this year by son, Matthew, who will use a brand new self built Mini. He will be co-driven by Abi Haycock.

The jovial Drybrook resident who has been competing since 1979 will be co-driven by Russell Joseph and is looking to do a full series.

Eric said: “Yes, our Matt is joining the championship in his new car, but I am the team manager. If he is beating me I will issue team orders, and tell him if he beats me he will get no tea and will be sent to bed early.”

Father, son and daughter team, Paul, Ryan and Jemma Taylor, will also join the series, with Paul and Jemma teaming up. Hollie Churchill will be co-driving Ryan. The series starts in March, with the Weston Park Historic Stages.

Another veteran campaigner, Cliffy Simmons, will sit alongside Ben Friend for a full BHRC Historic Challenge plus one or two Belgian events.

The duo will have a brand new BDA Escort at their disposal, having long dominated the Pinto class.