Round three of the Welsh Tarmac Championship saw local co-driver Delyth Brown head east to the Caerwent Military Ranges for the Fast Impressions Caerwent Rally. The rally hosted three separate championships so competition in each class was fierce. The venue must be one of the best single venue events in the UK; with the sharp corners on concrete roads and tall kerbs, it certainly challenges the whole package of crew and car. The overnight rain had given Delyth's driver, Mark Jukes, a lot to think about as far as tyre choice was concerned, especially with the first two stages entering the renowned quarry, a sheltered and slightly overgrown area, where driving conditions were slippery. But with the majority of drivers going on slick tyres, Mark opted for those, and said after the first stage: "It was like driving on ice and six miles into the stage we hit a kerb and the rear tyre came off the rim, but with 3.6 miles to go, we opted to drive on the flat, as more time would have been lost if we had stopped to change it. Nevertheless, that stage cost us 1min 30 seconds." Finishing that first stage 49th overall and 13th class, they knew they had a fight on their hands to climb the results table. A change of tyre choice for the second stage, with a thicker tyre wall for protection, saw them climb the results table to 37th overall and eighth in class. Delyth said: "Sticking with the same tyres for the next two stages paid dividends. We started to take chunks of time out of our rivals and began climbing the leader board, and felt a top three finish in our class was possible." With the sun shining down on Caerwent, the afternoon stages brought drier conditions and having reverted back to the slick tyres, Mark decided it was time to push a bit harder. As he commented, "The hwyl was in the car, so let's go for it." By the end of the second afternoon stage (stage six), they found themselves 27th overall and third in class, which was an obvious delight to them. On the final two stages of the day, they were setting competitive times and by the end of the rally climbed up to 17th overall and maintained third in class and also the leading Welsh crew in the class, therefore, scoring maximum Welsh championship points. Delyth and Mark said: "After the difficult start to the rally, this was the best possible result we could have hope for, for our focus is on the Welsh championship and coming away with maximum points and us leading our championship class is very pleasing - long may this consistency continue!" Their next rally is the close to home, Bob Shaw Memorial Rally at Talbenny Airfield on April 20. This is an ideal opportunity for a local business/ advertiser to sponsor Delyth and Mark in their quest for the Welsh championship and enjoy a day's rallying in Pembrokeshire. Anyone interested is asked to please contact Delyth on 07779167126.
