By Paul Evans

There might be 40 years and a generation between them, but that’s not going to stop Phil Turner and his grandson Thomas Cooper going head-to-head in the battle for this year’s JD Tyres Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship title.

It’s a friendly family rivalry that’s been brewing in the village of Craig Cefn Parc, near Swansea, for a number of years. At 59, Phil naturally has the upper hand when it comes to experience, while at just 19-years old Thomas (who has been rallying since the age of 14) has buckets of youthful speed and bravery in his armoury.

Who is likely to come out on top? If the results of the last two West Wales Rally Spares JAFFA Stages at the Welsh Motorsports Centre at Pembrey are anything to go by, it’s impossible to say – as Thomas won the event in 2016, and Phil won it in 2017.

In 2018 they’ll both be trying to become Welsh Tarmacadam rally champion – with Phil, co-driven by Simon Anthony, driving a Group A Mitsubishi Evo 9 and Thomas, navigated by Ian Davies, behind the wheel of a Group N Mitsubishi Evo 8, both supported by the family’s T.C.S. Plant Hire business.

“I’ve won my class in the Welsh Championship, so in 2018 the aim is to try and win the title outright,” says Phil, who is a former Dixies Challenge Champion. “The competition is going to be tough, not least from my grandson.

“He might be in a Group N car, but it’s perfect for some of the high-speed events and Thomas is a very talented driver. He’s the first person I have to try and beat if I want to be champion – and vice versa!

“We might also enter the Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship as well, especially as two rounds on Epynt are also in the Welsh championship, and see how it goes round by round.”

The Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship starts on February 4 with the Rali Cwm Gwendraeth at Pembrey, while the opening round of the Asphalt Rally Championship is the Tour of Epynt on March 11.