Although the weather had been unkind the previous night, this did not deter the keen and dedicated grassers in the area from taking part in the March meeting of the South Wales Autograss League. A few visitors from PAC, Radford and Spalding were also enticed to turn out in the event. Indeed, around 120 drivers were signed on to race and with a field full of avid spectators, this was a fantastic meeting to open the season for the league. With many members also having new cars for 2005, as well as some drivers changing classes, an exhilarating display of racing was provided. Making their debut at the meeting were numerous new junior drivers - TA100 Tomos Lewis; TA92 Scott Mills (not the Radio 1 presenter); PHD93 Christopher Neale; TA18 Angharad Evans, who will be competing against her brother; TA80 Carwyn Jones; and S25 Ben Jones - just to name a few. This is very promising for the league, as it will be these young talented drivers who will represent the league in the future. Along with the junior drivers, many newcomers were wecomed - in class 1, TA77 Michael Gilby and S12 John Williams, along with CM7 Huw Jones and PHD84 Mathew Sawyer, both moving from Juniors to the Men's class and showing great promise, with last year's class 8 national champion now relaxing in class 1, PHD50 Gareth James; class 2, TA47 Andy Leeke, S84 David and Matthew Preece, S65 Graham Durbin and S30 Mark Thomas; class 4, TA223 Stewart Corbett and in class 8, TA27 Dafydd Davies. Also welcomed to the league is class 9 driver, PHD9 Wayne Llewellyn, who had some great battles with PHD1 Steve Lindsey, S50 Duncan Rae and CM11 Martyn James throughout the day. Changing class this year from class 3 to class 6 is the well-known S9 - Manfred Kampschulte, and also joining him from class 5 is S11 Andy Davies, making class 6 a much stronger class, and yet to emerge for the 2005 season, TA69 Colin and Carol Marks. All the classes were very well represented, but the most spectacular racing of the day proved to be the class 7s and class 8s; they were breathtaking and it was definitely not the time to be sitting and relaxing in the deckchair! There was an interesting mixture of talent 'old and new' in the class 7 final, with Stormin Norman Mason PHD137 winning, with CM74 Richard Thomas hot on his heels, and TA122 Dylan Hughes in third. However, some spectacular driving was also seen from CM9 Craig Kampschulte, who has moved from class 5 to class 7. Yet to emerge in this class is CM15 Darrell Cole, PHD6 Martyn John, CM121 Emyr Jones and TA91 Gareth Thomas, who has given the class 8 back to his dad! In class 8, there was also some very fast and furious racing between PHD2 Phil Rogers, the returning TA19 Alun Thomas, and visitors SP4 Graham Bennet and R38 Darren Mullen, S81 Martyn Reeve, TA27 Dafydd Davies and PHD81 Simon Jackson, who at times were racing four abreast on this excellent wide track. Results from the meeting were as follows: Class 1: 1. PHD26 Lee Pearce; 2. PHD50 Gareth James; 3. PHD226 Paul Pearce; 4. PAC45 Raymond Morgans. Class 2: 1. S2 Tony Hart Jones; 2. S6 Craig Evans; 3. PHD40 Mark Uka; 4. PAC52 Martin Smith. Class 3: 1. PHD97 Tony Hughes; 2. TA221 Neil Reed; 3. PAC28 Sean Ryan. Class 4: 1. CM3 Keith Adams; 2. TA111 Kevin Jones; 3. TA30 Matthew Dance; 4. CM47 Steven Davies. Class 5: 1. TA6 Emyr Evans; 2. PHD112 Derek John; 3. CM41 Malcolm Herbert; 4. PHD20 Julian Eisel. Class 6: 1. S9 Manfred Kampschulte; 2. TA220 Barry Davies; 3. TA222 Nigel Reed; 4. S22 Andy Davies. Class 7: 1. PHD137 Norman Mason; 2. CM74 Richard Thomas; 3. TA122 Dylan Hughes; 4. PHD59 Dickie Lindsey. Class 8: 1. PHD2 Phil Rogers; 2. SP4 Graham Bennett; 3. TA19 Alun Thomas; 4. R38 Darren Mullen. Class 9: 1. PHD1 Steve Lindsey; 2. PHD9 Wayne Llewellyn; 3. S50 Duncan Rae. Class 10: 1. PHD10 Gary Ray; 2. TA20 Peter Thomas; 3. TA49 Godfrey Thomas; 4. PHD13 Darren Mason. Junior A: 1. PAC16 Andrew Lewis; 2. CM1 Tom Harris; 3. PAC67 Carl Blackmoore; 4. TA32 Alun Jenkins. Junior B: 1. PHD22 Jake Payne; 2. PAC19 Ricky Jones; 3. TA80 Carwyn Jones; 4. TA77 Helen Gilby. Class 11: 1. PHD117 Sharon Powell; 2. PHD40 Donna Forrest; 3. PHD4 Daphne Mousley; 4. PHD58 Becky Gardner. Class 12: 1. TA222 Heulwen Reed; 2. CM47 Nicola Davies; 3. TA15 Denise Jones. Class 13: 1. TA122 Eirwen Whiteway; 2. TA221 Vicky Reed. Class 14: 1. PHD81 Yvette Jackson. It is hoped that everyone enjoyed the meeting and the organisers hope to see you all return again on Sunday, April 17, to Castle Lloyd Farm, Red Roses, which will be the second qualifying round towards national allocation points. Thanks also go to everyone who attended the 'car video racing' night at Laugharne, the night before the race meeting; it proved a very enjoyable and successful evening. A big thanks to Norman Mason who got all the videos together. Congratulations are extended to S6 Craig and Jennifer Evans who are expecting their first baby in September and to TA221 Neil and Melanie on the birth of their son, keeping grandparents TA222 Nigel and Heulwen Reed busy. The next league meeting is on Wednesday, April 20, at 8 pm, at the Football Club. As already mentioned, the next race meeting is Sunday, April 17, followed on May 15 by the final qualifier. For any details, visit the website on http://www.southwalesautograss.co.uk">www.southwalesautograss.co.uk., or contact Norman Rogers on 01646 690248 or Nicola Davies on 01267 290550.