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

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.

           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.

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. 

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.

So far this year, the pair have suffered minor problems on all but one round of the championship, clouding a true reflexion of their speed, but hope to change the record on next weekends Plains Rally, the penultimate round of the BTRDA Rally Championship.

Competing again in the self built and maintained 1300 Vauxhall Astra, Edwards and Murphy will be aiming for a strong class finish in order to secure maximum points in the ANWCC championship that Edwards also leads in the FWD, Junior and Novice categories. After a strong showing on the previous years event, confidence is also high after reccurrent fuel problems have been traced and resolved on the M.E.Rallysport car.

” I really hope we can get on and have a clean run this time! I really enjoy the stages on this event so hope to enjoy them all without having to get out halfway round to fix it! Im fed up of all the ‘if only’s’ after events now, and would love to secure a result that does the effort both behind the scenes and on the day, some justice!

It would be great for all the people who do their bit to make things possible for me, and particularly Andy who has been through a lot in the car this year and coped astonishingly well, regarldless of the fact its his first season in rallying. Now the recent niggly problems have been traced, we hope to show what we can realy do. Its a demoralising sport sometimes when your working so hard on a budget funded by sacrifices, so we hope to get something to show for it this time” commented the 21yr old Welshman.

The entheusiastic crew will be running infront of the main field amongst the other 45 1400 cars, which should see the benefit of smother roads that suit the lower powered machinery.

Matthew would like to thank T.G.Roberts Countryside & Woodland Contractors (Colwyn Bay), for their continued support.