Shropshire pair clinch Cambrian forests title

The Cambrian Rally 2011 was set in the challenging famous Welsh forests of Clocaenog, Penmachno and Alwen.

Based in Llandudno, the rally was the final round of the BTRDA (British Trials and Rally Drivers Association) Series.

The event took in eight special stages with six on gravel and two up the Great Orme on tarmac.

Overall winners of the Cambrian Rally were Ludlow Castle Motor Club members Shaun Gardener/Ben Innes in the TNT Tyres Mitsubishi Evo 5.9.

Gardener/Innes had a good opening stage matching the fastest time with Andy Burton. They had an enjoyable battle with Tom Cave all day, setting further fastest times, and this battle continued to the finish line with Gardener/Innes winning by just nine seconds ahead of Cave.

Gardener has been rallying for about 26 years and every time he has competed in Llandudno his mother was there cheering him on, it was one of her favourite places.

Shaun last competed there in 2008, and due to personal circumstances has not competed on the rally till last weekend and would like to dedicate his win to his mother.

A triumphant and victorious Alex Allingham and Mark Glennerster emerged from the final stage of the Cambrian Rally to become the 2011 Hankook MSA Welsh National Rally Champions for the second year in succession.

LCMC member Alex from Stalybridge, alongside Mark from Wiltshire, claimed 'back to back' championship wins on the final round of the BTRDA Rally Series.

It was to be the Great Orme that proved to be decisive in Allingham securing the title. The Subaru pilot had gone in to the penultimate stage with a three second deficit to championship challenger David Howells, but emerged from the first tarmac test 13 seconds faster than his rival and entered the final stage with a 3 second lead.

"It's an amazing achievement to be sat here in Llandudno 12 months on from our first championship victory" exclaimed the jubilant Alex.

The Cambrian wasn't plain sailing for Alex and Mark, the lack of initial grip on the slippery slate surface made for an interesting few stages before they could change the suspension set up on the 'Mccrash Motorsport Media' backed Impreza for the afternoon loop of stages.

"Our Kumho Tyres have worked wonders in the wet conditions" explained Alex "we softened the suspension on the ex-Prodrive Subaru Impreza and that made all the difference.

"Alwen was really smooth and flowing but on the second run through Penmachno it was really rough, I felt every rock, heard every bang and by the time we emerged from the forests my nerves were shot.

"I'd like to thank Kumho for providing me with the right tyres for the job, they worked great all season long, my dad Richard, Andrew at Grade A Subaru, Richard Williams and the team from Mccrash Motorsport Media for their help and support throughout the year and of course a massive thanks to Mark Glennerster for guiding me safely through the hundreds of competitive miles we've done in this year's championship battle"

Fellow LCMC member Mike Wilding, co-driving for Cyril Crook in a rwd 2,050cc Vauxhall Astra, found the Penmachno stages very rough, slippery and muddy, with logging in many places. Cars had gone off into the trees or were on their sides all over the woods. It was hard work keeping the car on the road.

SS3+4 were ok in Clocaenog/Alwen and then it was off to the Great Orme with some super soft Dunlop tyres and spot lights fitted. The first run went well, but the repeat stage of the Great Orme was stopped to let the lighthouse keepers change shifts!

Half an hour later, and after it had rained and got dark, it was not so much fun when the spotlights didn't work and Wilding dropped from 55th o/a to 61st and fourth in class.

Other LCMC members competing in the event were Tim Cains/Richard May in their Peugeot 309 mi16.

Cains has had a few problems this year with the car, but never the less still managed to get some good results. The Cambrian Rally was one of those rallies, the pair finished third in class and 44th place overall. The forest stages were very rough and Cains backed off the pace to preserve the car and hold on to the championship points he had.

However, Cains was well on the pace on the tarmac section over the Great Orme which included a stage in the dark where he set the fastest time in his class.

The class he competes in is very competitive and the car is way down on power compared to his rivals. Despite having the backing of sponsors J and S Handling from the West Midlands, Reg May Butchers Ditton Priors, C and R Vehicle Repairs Bridgnorth and kentonphotografix photography he would need a budget of at least £20,000 to continue in this class.

Possible plans for 2012 could see the car converted back to a 1600cc power plant producing a similar power to the 2000cc motor used now. Cains would like to thank all his sponsors, without their help none of this would be possible.

Pictures courtesy of kentonphotographix