Last weekend’s Llandovery based Red Kite Stages saw success and trophies for a host of local crews. The event played host to the opening rounds of the Mintex MSA Historic championship, Jelf Welsh Clubmans series and Restruct Welsh mixed surface championship.

Sadly the event attracted a very low entry of just 68 starters, a sign of the times with the uncertainty over the future of gravel rallying in the Welsh forests.

What the event lacked in entries was made up for in the slick organisation of this popular event, despite the fog, mist and rain, which made the stages extremely treacherous.

Historic front runners, Ben Friend with Cliff Simmons, made an impressive debut in their brand new Allglass Escort RS1800, taking fifth overall, first in class, despite a sticking throttle on the morning loop, and wrong diff settings for the fast stages.

Andrew Stokes and Ade McNally finished 14th overall and second in class in their 1600 Avenger, and on only their second event together, after an event long battle with Elliott Retallick and Tim Tugwell in a similar Avenger.

Husband and wife team, Nigel and Karen Jenkins, totally dominated class 1 in the NJ Autos Vauxhall Nova, this despite being slowed by catching cars on the opening three tests.

The afternoon stages went much more smoothly and they took 19th overall, first in class, and maximum Restruct Welsh points.

The modern event was won by Dylan Davies and Llion Williams in a Subaru Impreza, and the historic by Cheltenham duo Nick Elliott and Dave Price in their Escort RS1800.