National Tour Of Epynt 2003 review. Story and images provided by RallyingOnline.com. 16 March 2003
The National Tarmacadam Rally Championship started off in fine style at the weekend with the John Price Rallying Tour of Epynt and, after over three years of trying, David Kynaston and co-driver Andy Russell finally took their first outright win in the series in their Audi Quattro A3. However, they did not have things all their own way and were hounded throughout the day by eventual runner-up Peter Lloyd in his 6R4 who arrived back in Llandovery just six seconds adrift of the winners.
Such was the pace of the competition that less than half a minute separated the top four cars at the end of the day. Third overall, and taking second place series points, was defending champion Steve Hendy, co-driven once again by Aled Davies, while fourth went to Eian Pritchard and Martin Jones in their pristine Subaru Impreza WRC.
Lyndon Barton, having forsaken his Metro 6R4 and bought Theo Bengry's Impreza, took 5th, ahead of Mark Worley whose Mitsubishi Lancer not only won the Group N category, but also its class by nearly five minutes.
Leading the two-wheel drive contingent was Howell Davies whose Escort RS finished 7th overall and won the very popular B11 class by four-and-a-half minutes.
Multiple Epynt winner John Price suffered a rare retirement when his 6R4's engine failed on the opening stage and he now faces a race against time to get the unit repaired in time for the car's next outing - the Hendra Tour of Cornwall in just less than a month.
Tim Wilson's Impreza WRC was running as high as 3rd when clutch trouble sidelined it with two stages to go, while John Indri retired his Metro 6R4 from 6th place with the loss of 4th and 5th gears. Steve Scott's return to the series was not as he had planned as his Escort Cosworth went out in the first loop of stages.
The opening round of the championship is graced with a couple of ex-works 'kit cars' - the ex-Gwyndaf Evans Seat Ibiza Evo II now run by Andrew Haddon and a Mark Higgins Vauxhall Astra driven by Richard Walsh. There were differing fortunes for these two in Wales as the Seat went out during the morning, while Walsh started his campaign with a class win.
On the day, Class N3 - up to 2-litre - also proved to be a hotbed of competition with the top three cars taking 12th, 13th and 14th places and only split by a handful of seconds. The brand-new MG ZR of Iain Henderson will head to Cornwall as class leader, with 2002 F2 champion Paul Harewood's Renault Clio next and Mark Sheppard's Astra third.
The entry for the Tour of Epynt was 10% up on twelve months ago and, at this early stage, all the signs are that we are in for a bumper championship.
Overall Rally Results
1 David Kynaston / A Russell Audi A3 Quattro B13 1:26:21
2 Peter Lloyd / Paul Cook MG Metro 6R4 B13 1:26:27
3 Steve Hendy / Aled Davies Ford Escort Cosworth A8 1:26:40
4 Eian Pritchard / Martin Jones Subaru Impreza WRC A8 1:26:44
5 Lyndon Barton / Johnny Vance Subaru Impreza 555 A8 1:29:32
6 Mark Worley / David Gamblin Mitsubishi Lancer N4 1:32:56
7 Howell Davies / Alan Jones Ford Escort Mk ll B11 1:33:20
8 Ian Evans / Shelley Rogerson Vauxhall Nova B10 1:33:56
9 Steve Simpson / Mike Lawson Subaru Impreza B13 1:34:24
10 Ian Caddy / Alan Thomas Ford Escort Mk II B12 1:35:01
Official National Tarmacadam Rally Championship site
Port Talbot Motor Club - the rally organisers
RallyingOnline.com - the premier UK rally portal
RallyGallery.com - more images from this and other rallies
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