RALLY NEWS NO.1    Dolgellau - Saturday Noon

A great area of high pressure over the British Isles spells fine weather for this Rally of Wales International.  However, bright sunshine and lack of wind will bring problems for the drivers in the shape of hanging dust clouds amongst the trees on the special stages.  The consensus of opinion from the top drivers is that it is great that the Rally of Wales International is back in action, that the quality of the stages is fabulous, fast and smooth.  Dust will be a worry though. 

This 2nd round of the Pirelli British Rally Championship sees current champion Jonny Milner heading the cars away from Dolgellau.  Behind Jonny is David Higgins, then Austin MacHale, Steve Perez, Barry Johnson, Paul Bird and Matthew Wilson, all in world rally cars.  Julian Reynolds is seeded down at 57, but he has now acquired a world rally car so will now almost certainly start in the top 10, although keeping No.57 in the car. As we type the Stewards of the rally are meeting to decide the final start order.  The top drivers have requested a 2 minute gap between the cars, and we await with interest to hear the decision on that.  There are very few non-starters, although one of note is Italian Alessandro Broccoli who was to drive the Fiat Punto.  Alessandro's wife is expecting a baby, isn't very well, so he has had to withdraw his entry. 

In the run up to the start, Jonny Milner took time out to tell us. "I'm really looking forward to it. It has been a tough three weeks getting the car rebuilt after the Pirelli accident. For me the championship starts here, we're going for a strong run, not panic and throw everything away.  I'd like a good result for co-driver Nicky, he's on home ground.  Apart from rebuilding the car we've done some work on the set-up, got more bite from the front brakes and better high speed stability.  The stages seemed very good on the recce, but dust will be a factor, and there is a covering of light dusty stones, so tyre choice will be important.  For me at the front it will be good to have clean air, and it is important for me to stay there". 

Pirelli Rally winner, current USA Rally Champion, and winner of this event in 1999, David Higgins, observed. "I'm a bit concerned about the dust, but the stages are very good although it is a long time since I have been on some of them.  Our Hyundai has had a fresh engine and box since the Pirelli, feels a lot sharper.  We've done some diff mapping and the car feels good".  Third on the road, Austin MacHale, has had gravel suspension fitted to his Focus WRC yesterday, has only done the briefest of shakedowns, and is looking forward to the event.  Austin had entered in his Corolla WRC, but he will not have that out until the Scottish Rally.  Austin's son Aaron is seeded at 12 in his Group N Lancer, but for Aaron, current Irish National Group N Champion, this will be a steep learning curve, his first time in the forests. 

Steve Perez at No.4 is fresh from the Manx tarmac, his Vodka Kick Focus WRC has been converted to gravel spec, Steve saying that this will be the last rally for the engine, it will need rebuilt after this event.  Barry Johnson at 5 in his Impreza S9 reports no problems. Paul Bird at No.6 in his Focus WRC is a bit of a stranger to these stages, but should go well.   Interestingly, Matthew Wilson at 7 is running under the Eddie Stobart banner, along with Lorna Smith, Lorna is set to renew her battle with Swedish lady Jenni-Lee Hermansson, both in 22 Motorsport prepared Group N Imprezas.  Lorna saying "I'm going to have fun, drive as fast as I can and yes, try to beat Jenni!" 

The Super 1600 category of the rally promises its own brand of fireworks. Guy Wilks, although carrying his permanent number of 30 will run up in the top 15.  Last year's champion, Kris Meeke, is a welcome addition this time in his Opel Corsa.  Leon Pesticcio had yet another breakdown last week on the Costa Esmeralda rally when his Fiat Punto gearbox broke. That is 3 mechanical retirements on the trot for Leon, bad things are supposed to come in threes, so maybe it will all change here. In addition we have the Fiat Stilo contenders, 6 running this time.  All in all it looks to be a fascinating Rally of Wales….more news from the end of Dyfi.  BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON          www.rallynews.net