Plains Report - 12th 1400, 2nd B8 - Success At Last!
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.
Unfortunatly the Llangower stage was cancelled for safety reasons, so the pair headed to first service on the fringes of the top 10 to prepare for the afternoons attack of the fantastic stages in the dyfi complex.
Having found a good rythym, the times kept coming, and with a consistantly aggressive approach to the fast stages, the Welsh pairing were able to consolidate their position over the next batch of stages, thankfully without the problems that have thwarted their efforts on previous occasions.
After a run over the breathtaking Taleisin and Cyneiniog stages, depite nearly collecting the back of David’ Bogies Nova that bocked the stage at one point, a final service saw the crews head off for the last 2 stages. With one of them being the short blast round Mick Jones Timberyard, Gartheiniog was to be the last place where any real damage could be done. With a sensible but once again aggressive approach to the demanding stage, Edwards and Murphy were able to maintain their position and eventually return home safely to finish off a good job well done.
“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.
M.E.Rallysport
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Pictures Courtesy of Rod Pierce www.rp-rallyphotography.co.uk