By Paul Evans

On the first asphalt rally to be held on the Epynt military range for two years, Melvyn Evans charged to victory on the opening round of the 2021 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, The Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally.

Against strong opposition, he and co-driver Mark Glennerster had to push their Škoda Fabia R5 to the limit to secure what in the end looked a comfortable 26 second victory.

Having won the event in 2003, it was Evans’ second Mewla Rally win of his career.

“It’s been a good day. I’ve given it everything – there is nothing left in me or the car,” said Evans.

“We shouldn’t really be able to compete with World Rally Cars over fast dry asphalt stages likes these, but these R5 cars are fabulous.

“I thought we were pretty close to Jason [Pritchard] going into the last couple of stages.

“I’d backed off a little too much on the stages before, so we had to give it one last big push on the final stage.

“I’m very pleased everything worked out well and the car hasn’t missed a beat all day.”

Jason Pritchard had enjoyed the battle in his trusty North Road Garage Ford Focus WRC05, which never missed a beat after a major lockdown rebuild.

Even the hardest compound tyres he’d ever used were going off as the afternoon heat intensified and controlling a powerful World Rally Car that was handling like an Escort Mk2 – together with lightning reactions to avoid meandering sheep on several occasions – was rewarded when he and Phil Clarke came home second.

“I’ve never had tyres go off on the Focus WRC before and we’ve struggled all day because of it,” admitted Pritchard.

“It just goes to show how hot the temperature in the ground is. But it’s been a good fun race and that’s what it’s all about.

“These R5 plus cars are fifteen years newer and they’ve got more performance, better braking and a better chassis.

“I knew it was going to be hard. I’d have taken second place if you’d offer it to me this morning, so I’m pleased with the result.”

Damian Cole was looking for a record-breaking seventh Mewla Rally win, and a new record of 24 rally wins on Epynt, but knew that it wasn’t going to be his day after the opening loop of stages.

The soft tyres were an issue, but worse was a lack of confidence in his Get Connected / TCL-backed Škoda Fabia R5 which was attempting to pitch the six-time Asphalt champion off the road at seemingly every opportunity.

It’s no joke when the rev limiter comes in at 120mph and you’re unsure if the next compression or bump is going to send the car onto the grass, but he and Dale Bowen bravely pressed on to finish third and score very good Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship points.

“It’s not really been the best of days,” said a dejected Cole.

“The car is just hard work to drive and it’s not giving me any confidence.

“It feels very nervous on the fast stuff. I’ve had more moments today than I’ve had in the last ten years of rallying on Epynt.

“It’s getting to the point where we might need to fix the Focus and bring that out again!”

Bob Fowden had launch control issues with his Comline Auto Parts/NGK-backed Subaru Impreza S11 WRC.

Worse still was a problem that affected the gear change, and on the second loop of three stages the ex-Petter Solberg car registered 38 missed gear shifts.

By the end of the event, the Subaru was jumping two gears at once, a favourite being going from fourth straight into sixth – but despite his he and co-driver Aled Davies finished fourth.

William Mains was on great form again, winning the 1400cc class and scoring maximum class B9 points in his Roy Thomas & Son-sponsored Vauxhall Nova, with Sion Jones on the pace notes.

Sara Williams returned to competition at the wheel of her Renault Clio.

Unfortunately, fuel surge problems meant that the Brecon lady had to miss a few stages, although she and co-driver Dai Roberts did reappear in the afternoon.

Mike Pugsley/Marc Clatworthy retired their 1974 Escort Mk1 RS2000 for the first time in over a decade when a brake caliper piston failed.

The Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally – provisional top 10 finishers

1. Melvyn Evans/Mark Glennerster (Škoda Fabia R5)….55mins 23secs

2. Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke (Ford Focus WRC05)….55mins 49secs

3. Damian Cole/Dale Bowen (Škoda Fabia R5)….57mins 10secs

4. Bob Fowden/Aled Davies (Subaru Impreza S11 WRC)….58mins 11secs

5. Mark Kelly/Neil Colman (Ford Fiesta R5)….58mins 25secs

= Richard Clews/Carl Williamson (Subaru Impreza)….58mins 25secs

7. Darren Atkinson/Philip Sandham (Ford Escort Mk2)….58mins 53secs

8. John Stone/Tom Woodburn (Ford Fiesta WRC)….58mins 54secs

9. Craig Jones/Shaun Layland (Mitsubishi Evo 9)….59mins 31secs

10. Dave Willett/John Davies (Ford Escort Mk2)….59mins 34secs