By Paul Evans
Damian Cole scored his 25th rally win in his Get Connected/Energizer-backed Ford Focus WRC05 yesterday, when he won the Architexture Ltd Dixies Challenge Rally.
The car had recently had an engine, turbo and transmission rebuild, so together with co-driver Paul Spooner the Abergavenny ace was using the event as a shakedown ahead of this weekend’s Masterpixel Media Manx National Rally, which is a round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship. It was also Cole’s 21st rally win on Epynt.
Dave Willett finished a very impressive second in his red, white and yellow Ford Escort Mk2. Together with John Davies, the Wrexham driver was just 28 seconds behind Cole at the finish.
Tony Rees led the event after SS2 and eventually finished third in his Millington Series 2+ engined Darrian GTR. Co-driven by Jamie Vaughan, the Pontyclun-based driver finished six seconds ahead of Mark Kelly/Neil Colman (Ford Escort Mk2). Craig Jones/Shaun Layland (Mitsubishi Evo 9) survived a big moment on the opening stage to come home fifth, while Marcus Pagett/Rhys Stoneman were a magnificent sixth in their class winning Nissan Micra Kit Car.
Builth Wells’ Eian Pritchard gave his gorgeous Ford Escort RS1800 a run out and won his class and finished 11th overall. Partnered by Steve McPhee, the North Road Garage owner proved he’s as competitive as ever, despite only contesting the odd event or two each year.
It wasn’t such a good event for Andy Fraser/Alan Jones, who crashed their V6-engined Darrian into a ditch after an awkward landing. Layton Waters/Tudor Jenkins retired their Proton Satria with overheating problems, Josh Jones/Mike Bartlett hit a tree in their Peugeot 205 GTi and Mathew Davis/Abi Haycock were forced out with a blown head gasket in their Mini.
The 10 stage event was organised jointly by Forresters Car Club and the Forest of Dean Motor Club and attracted an excellent 80 car entry.
Dixies Challenge – top 10 finishers
1. Damian Cole/Paul Spooner (Ford Focus WRC05)….39:36
2. Dave Willett/John Davies (Ford Escort Mk2)….40:04
3. Tony Rees/Jamie Vaughan (Darrian GTR)….40:32
4. Mark Kelly/Neil Colman (Ford Escort Mk2)….40:38
5. Craig Jones/Shaun Layland (Mitsubishi Evo 9)….40:51
6. Marcus Pagett/Rhys Stoneman (Nissan Micra Kit Car)….41:56
7. Terry Brown/Angharad Williams (Ford Escort Mk2)….42:51
8. Lee Halfpenny/Christopher Ridge (Ford Escort Mk2)….43:08
9. Phil Turner/Simon Anthony (Mitsubishi Evo 9)….43:12
10. Rob Hughes/Sion Cunniff (Ford Fiesta R5)….43:15