The UP AND COMING student pairing of Matt Edwards and Andy Murphy headed up to the Lake District  to contest the 2nd round of the Tesco 99 Octane 1400 series, hoping to build on their success on the first round. Rallying un-backed, and off their student loans, the enthusiastic duo would be 1st seed at car 201 on this, the Malcolm Wilson Rally,  and therefore would be sweeping the loose gravel off the stages with their part worn Silverstone tyres!

Despite obvious nerves at the start of the event, having not run first on the road before, the crew guided their Vauxhall Astra safely through the first stage, acclimatising to the stage conditions and the level of grip available to post a respectable 4th fastest time overall. Now settled, and after a brief service in Penrith, they headed south to the challenging Grizedale tests to set to work on the leaders.

Picture courtesy Rod Pierce www.rp-rallyphotography.co.uk

 Unfortunately, after having set a scorching pace in the first half of the stage, a gearbox noise became louder and louder, until severe selection problems began to blunt the Astra’s performance; car already running at half the power of its rivals due to its completely standard engine.

Managing to get out the stage and still set an astonishing 2nd fastest 1400 stage time despite the dramas, Edwards quickly set to work on trying to fix the car and get through the next stage to service. Unfortunately, this was not possible, and with a multitude of different problems occurring at once inside the cars transmission, no further progress was possible.

 “Its such a shame, as we had really ‘clicked’ from the word go and were battling for the overall lead of the event when we began to suffer the problems. It was nice to be on the pace of the front boys, especially given our budget and power disadvantage, and having never driven these stages before! Everything was working really well and we had found a great rythym with Andy spot on with the notes we’d spent a lot of time perfecting. Running 1st on the road was exciting as the stages had a lot of loose gravel on them, but we were able to take our own lines which certainly helped” explained the Welsman.

“Its not the end of the world in terms of our championship chances, but it was certainly a shame not to take a result away when we had shown early on what we are capable of. We WILL be back as soon as we can and take the challenge to them!”

 The M.E.Rallysport team are already desperately trying to remedy the problems and get the car prepared for the 3rd round in only 3 weeks time, but evident budgetary constraints may affect their chances.

Matt and Andy would like to thank everyone who has helped them in their efforts so far, particularly family and friends for their support.

More information can be found at www.merallysport.co.uk and www.andymurphyrallying.co.uk

The young student pairing of 22 Year old Matthew Edwards and 21 yr old Andrew Murphy face yet another new experience on the 2nd Round of the BTRDA Tesco 99 Octane 1400 Championship, being the men to beat in the Lake District next weekend.

Leading the field away from the Cockermouth based event in their self built and un-backed Vauxhall Astra, the rare but upcoming combination of 2 young students will be tasked with the job of being first to tackle the demanding stages, yet another new experience!

Having started their championship bid with a fine 2nd Overall on the recent Wyedean Rally, the M.E.Rallysport team will be seaking to build on their achievements under the watchful eyes of event sponsor and Fords World Rally Team Boss, Malcolm Wilson.

Picture Courtesy Of www.geoffmayesimages.com

“For someone whom the novelty of appearing on an entry list hasn’t even worn off yet, to have the opportunity to run 201 on the door and first car on the road is something I want to try and make the most of, though for sure it will be a new challenge to be chased as opposed to do the chasing, but I’m more than willing to learn. It just goes to show where a bit of dedication can get you, despite our budget only allowing us to run part worn tyres, but we’ll continue giving it everything we’ve got!”, affirmed the Welshman.

Just 12 months on from the pairings first competitive outing together, and despite having to strike a careful balance between academic and rallying life, Edwards and Murphy lead B8 and U25’s in the BTRDA series and the MSA English Championship overall, whilst maintaining 2nd overall in the Tesco 99 Octane 1400 Championship.

With a view to accomplishing a full campaign in 2007, the crew will once again be adopting the ‘Brains over Brawn’ approach to the demanding terrain of famous forests such as Grizedale, Wythop, and Comb, that netted them success on the opening round, acknowledging the fact that a consistent finishing record would stand them in good stead for their aspirations.

For more information on the M.E.Rallysport Team, the crew, and to learn ways in which you could assist the team in their 2007 plans, please visit www.merallysport.co.uk or email matthew_cambrian@hotmail.com.

The up and coming M.E.Rallysport team travelled to South Wales last Weekend to contest the frst round of the 2007 Tesco 99 Octane 1400 Championship, one of the UK’s premier rally series. 22 year old Matthew Edwards, and Andrew Murphy would be competing in their self prepared Vauxhall Astra once again.

With foul weather conditions on a 6 1/2 adventure just to get there a sure sign of things to come, the crew began with a short blast round the Chepstow Racecourse, settiling in nicely and getting a feel for the tricky conditions.

(Image Courtesy of www.90right.com)

The stages ‘proper’ started up the Wye Valley in the famous Forest of Dean, and were to present a whole new challenge for the young crew. In places, 4-6 inches of snow could be found on the stages, and despite being seeded down the order the entheusiastic duo were to be found runing in the worst of the conditons, amoungst the top 10 cars to tackle the treturous tracks.

Nevertheless, coping admirably with their first taste of driving on snow, a composed Edwards was intent on getting round without drama. Stage by stage, more experienced rivals would succome to the slippery stages and fall out of contention, leaving the Welsman a creditable 5th in the 1400 order, but more importantly 2nd of the Silverstone contenders, and leader of the B8 class in the championship. The crew also lead the U25 category, and the MSA English Championship that they are also contesting in 2007

(Image Courtesy of www.90right.com)

“The event today has been the stiffest test we’ve encountered yet. Its been a battle just to keep the car on the road today, as even on the straights you could easily find yourself ploughing the untouched snow at the sides of the road and getting stuck. Im so glad to get to the finish, and having had no serious setbacks, we’v achieved a good start to the year”, said Edwards at the finish.

The crew were to leave Chepstow in a more somber mood however, as news filtered through of the tragic accident that had occured on stage 3 of the event. The thoughts of the whole team are with the family and friends of those involved.

The M.E.Rallysport team now head to Cockermouth in Cumbria for the Malcolm Wilson Rally on 3rd March

Updated Championship tables and information can be found at http://www.BTRDArally.com/news.asp?id=250

As of tonight, the now 1400 Vauxhall Astra of M.E.Rallysport is near ready for its 2007 season.

           Besides the usual clean and freshen up, the car has been fitted with new adjustable shock absorbers, strengthened engine mounts, and will be running on an electrical fuel pump in 2007.

Any potential backers for the teams efforts should contact Matthew on 07760330725, or email: Matthew_cambrian@hotmail.com, and view the M.E.Rallysport Partners page.

There were fireworks on November 5th for the up and coming M.E.Rallysport crew of Matthew Edwards and Andrew Murphy, as they sprayed champagne on the finish ramp in celebration on securing no less than 5 titles in return for a long fraught season in their 1300 Vauxhall Astra

The pairing, new at the start of 2006, had finished with a flourish, securing a giant killing 2nd in class on the Plains Rally, and were running an incredible 4th overall in the highly competitive 1400 category on the Cambrian untill the little engine finally succommed Edwards high expectations on the last stage. However, this did little to dent the dynamic duo’s confidence, as a finish was all that was required to secure victory in FWD, 1400, Junior, Novice Drivers Overall Title, and 3rd Overall in the ANWCC Forest Series.

Despite wringing every last tenth out of the car for the majority of the day, setting times far beyond expectation, Co-Driver Murphy was left to push the car over the line and coast down the hill to the final control of the rally before the celebrations could begin, just yards from Edwards home near the Llandudno promenade. Delighted with the reward for a seasons long hard work and dedication, and an impressive outing on the final round of the renowned 1400 BTRDA Rally Championhip to boot, Edwards was able to reflect on a good days work;

“We got off to what we thought was a steady start in treturous conditions through Penmachno, and although we felt we carried good speed, admitted we were probably going to loose out in their due to the mountainous terrain and our power disadvantage, so we were delighted to be inside the top 10 at that early stage. We pushed on in the next stage Alwen and had a good run through the next aswell, despite it being like an ice rink! Our game plan was to settle in in the morning and have a good attack in the long one, and that worked well as we came out of there knowing we’d got everything we could out the car and found ourselves pretty unbelievably 4th 1400 and 1st in B8 by over a minte!” exclaimed Edwards

“Its great for our confidence going into a full BTRDA programme next year knowing we can be there at the font, especially with plans for the car over the winter. I cant describe how it feels to have won my first title in rallying in such a short time, and i can only thank those who have helped me get here, particularly Andy who has done a faultless job all year, and the lads who look after the car”

 2007 will see the student crew begin with the Wyedean Rally in the Forest of Dean, the 1st round of the popular 1400 BTRDA Rally Championship. Sticking with the Vauxhall Astra for 2007, the team have on offer a number of opportunities to work with businesses to further their interests, and can be contacted via matthew_cambrian@hotmail.com

 Finally, M.E.Rallysport would like to thank T.G.Roberts Countryside & Woodland Contractors for their support this year. 

22 yr old Matthew Edwards from Llandudno in North Wales will tackle his third Cambrian Rally this weekend, as the budding young driver hopes to end a successful year on a high note just two years on from his rallying debut on the 2004 event. Edwards will be co-driven as usual by Newports Andy Murphy who is also coming to the end of a productive first year in the sport.With the event based in Llandudno, the entheusiastic pairing will be looking to capitalise on local knowledge and the confidence boost of a spirited drive on the recent Plains rally, and once again challenge for class honours whilst maintaining 3rd Overall in the ANWCC Forest Championship that Edwards has already sealed 5 class wins in this season.  

Being the final round of the popular BTRDA rally series, it will provide a stern test for the crew of the M.E.Rallysport Vauxhall Astra, giving good opportunity to compare progress against more experienced crews. “We are both really looking forward to this weekends event! It makes a change to not have the championship pressures on our shoulders as we have already achieved what we can this year in the ANWCC series, so its just going to be a case of have a go and see where we end up. It will be great to get back on home soil after the Plains result and im keen to once again test our partnership that is currently paying dividends in terms of pace and stage times. Andy has done a fantastic job this year in often trying circumstances and i doubt we would have had the success we have had if it wasnt for his proffessional attitude and approach.” On this third attempt at the rally that begun his carreer exactly two years ago, Edwards will be relying on the experience that he has patiently developed along with the car in that time, to come to terms with the famous and demanding forresty stages such as Penmachno, Clocaenog and the Great Orme, rellishing the challenge driving his self built machine. The team will also be supporting Cancer Research UK on this years event, selling stickers in and around the scrutineering and spectator areas to help raise money for the fund quite close to both crew’s interests. ALL proceeds will be going to the charity in memory of Clive Thomas who lost his battle with cancer 12 months ago, and would appreciate your support for this worthy cause.

M.E.Rallysport crew of Matthew Edwards and Andrew Murphy put in a polished and calculated performance on Saturdays SJR Motorport Plains Rally, to bring their trusty Astra home in a well deseved 12th overall in the competitive 1400 category, and 2nd in class.

The result comes at the end of a string of bad luck for the pair that has seen competitive stage times go to waste when niggling problems intervened on three previous occasions. Edwards achieved his objectives of a tactical run home to secure good points in the ANWCC Forest Championship, which he still secures a mathematical chance of winniing overall, but importantly has extended his lead in 3 classes.With the first two stages taking place on familiar ground, the duo were able to hit the ground running and attack the first real forest stage in the Aberhirnant complex, just south of Bala. Managing a spectacular run to set a time in the top 10 overall of the 1400 runners, the first part of the plan had gone well with the second part consisting of a similar pace through the following stage, despite suffering a distinct power deficit to class rivals.

“We’re both delighted with this result! It makes a change not to have to get out to fix it once in a while, and its fantastic for everyone who helps out prior to the events to have a car running like clockwork at last, and over these stunning stages! Its good also to have been able to realise the potential that our stage time have suggested on previous events, and actually cross the line in a position reflective of our performance.

Thanks obviously go to the service crew and everyon else who helps out, and especially to Andy who has persevered this year and deserves credit for this result aswell. To finish behind the likes of Gary Barlow and to have set some comparrable times today is also a great boost to our confidence, and a sign that we are working well together,” said the Welshman at the finish.The entheusiastic pair now head to the final round of the championship, The Cambrian Rally in North Wales on 4th November hopeful of another strong showing, this time on home soil.

ANWCC Forest Championship leader Matthew Edwards and Co-driver Andrew Murphy head to Welshpool next weekend to attack the classic tests of North and Mid Wales and remain in the hunt for overall honours in the series.

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