Chris Richmond Hand and Shaun Richards guide their escort round the lanes for their maiden Bro Caron victory (Adrian Convery photography)

The weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of March saw the forty-first running of Lampeter and district motor club’s Bro Caron road rally. Once again this rally would feature in the welsh road rally championship, being the second event in the championship. Once again joint Clerks of the course were club chairman Dafydd Evans and club secretary Cadog Davies, and together with a team of dedicated volunteers, hosted a 110 mile event that used the very best roads on OS map 146. Windy corner coaches would again sponsor the event, with Rhydian being a dedicated member who is always on hand to help out in all things with the club. 

Naturally, with the rally featuring in the welsh championship the entries flooded in at an incredible pace, with the event filling within 10 minutes, in total the rally received over 120 entrants, meaning a long list of reserves was formed, all hoping for the chance of a run. Rally HQ would again be the Black Lion Hotel in the centre of Lampeter and once again competing cars would leave via travelling through the hotel’s arch, a tradition that has been part of Lampeter motor club’s rallies since the motoring news heydays. 

The full car 90 field featured many regulars and contenders and multiple overall and class winners throughout, with car 1 going to last year’s winner, Andy Davies in his familiar Subaru Impreza IDZ. Andy was originally going to be partnered with regular navigator Michael Gilbey, but a couple of last minute changes saw him partnered with Dai Roberts. They were out for fun this year with Andy wanting to get some miles under his belt with the car on this event. At 2 was current champion Arwel Hughes-Jones with regular navigator Dylan John Williams out in Arwel’s red Mk2 Ford escort over his familiar blue car. They would be strong contenders for victory with the performances they have been achieving over the past couple of years. Stefan “DR” Davies and Kieran Price took number 3 in Stefan’s newly built Mk2 Ford escort. They would be another crew in contention for victory on this event. At 4 were Ieuan Evans and Dafydd Sion Lloyd in Ieuan’s regular Mk2 Ford escort, still clearly a very popular car with the front runners of the road rallying community. George Willams was at number 5, with regular navigator Cadog being part of the organising team George would again be accompanied by Nick Bloxham for this event, this pairing having recently seen them take a victory together on the Telford Motor club’s Moonbeam rally a couple of weeks ago. At 6 were John “tyres” Davies and Eurig Davies, this pairing have managed multiple victories over the years and are always in contention of taking the top spot, no matter which part of the country they compete in. They would be using John’s familiar Vauxhall Astra GTE. At 7 were Chris Richamond Hand and Shaun Evans, they have been in excellent form recently gaining a couple of wins, they would no doubt be a crew to keep an eye out for here. Their car of choice being a Mk2 Ford escort. At 8 were Richard Jerman and Alan James in another Mk2 Ford escort, Richard and Alan being another crew capable of big things. 9 Went to Lewis Morgan and Marc Hughes in Lewis’ Mk2 Ford escort, whilst Lewis has had a run of bad luck recently there is no denying his pace and Marc’s navigating skills definitely put them as a crew to watch. At 10 were former Welsh champions Mark Lennox and Ian Beamond in Mark’s Honda powered Mk2 Ford escort. They would be another crew out for a strong result. Eight of the top ten vehicles would be Mk2 Ford escorts, and made for a great sight in the start car park all in  their bright colours.

Masters class winners John "tyres" Davies and Eurig Davies (Adrian Convery photography)

There would be a good number of talented crews in the other classes too, with Owain Evans and Arfon Griffiths being first off in the expert class. They would be strong contenders for the class win and a very strong result. They would be another crew in a Mk2 Ford escort and seeded at 20. Steven John Williams and Jac Wyn Roberts followed them at 21 in Steven’s regular Mk2 Ford escort, and would be another strong contender for a great result. They would be followed by more talented crews, with the Mazda MX5 of Owain Rowlands and Jamie Mills at 22, Dan Morris and Justin Davies in a Ford Puma at 23, and Dewi Davies and Richard Hughes at 24 in a Vauxhall Astra, all capable of a strong result. Also worth keeping an eye on were club members Sam Woodcock and Lewis Jenkins that were running at 36 in Sam’s Subaru Impreza, and Behind them were Osian Jones and Llyr Davies in Osian’s Nissan Micra, they would both be capable of a great finish.

First off in the semi expert class were Carwyn “bol” Jones and Steffan Thomas in Carwyn’s regular Proton Satria, this pairing have been on a tremendous run recently and are knocking on the door of expert class with their pace and consistency. Their start number was 49. Tomos Roberts and Rhys Wills were behind them at 50 in a Peugeot 206 GTI, and then it was Rhodri Lewis and Trystan Leyshorn behind them at 51 in a Citroen saxo. Owen Rose and Dafydd Jones took number 62 in a Proton Satria GTI, and were another pairing capable of a good result. 

In novice class at 69 were Sion Busson and Llion Evans in Sions recently purchased and refurbished Honda Civic Type R. Sion has been getting some excellent experience over the last year and with Llion they would be contenders for the class victory. Thomas Jones was at number 70 with former Clerk of the course George Eadon on the maps, they were out in a Peugeot 206 cup car. Andrew Davies and Jona Louise Shand took the number 71 slot in Andrew’s well presented Proton Satria GTI. Owain Dixon and Megan Williams were at 75 in Owain’s BMW compact, they were hoping for a good finish here. Arfon Jones and Mathew Pryce were another in contention of a good result in their Subaru Impreza at car 77. Running at number 80 were Arthur Jones and Trystan Bryn Evans in Arthur’s regular Ford Fiesta ST, and lower down there were a couple of crews making their debut in the lanes, with Daniel Jones and Iestyn Jones running at 86 in a Vauxhall corsa, they had originally been reserves but got a space last minute, and at 87 were Ben Frost-Jones and Gregory Harrand in a hired Mini Cooper. Rounding off the entrants at 90 were Jade Phillips and Tjay Lewis in a Peugeot 106.

With scrutineering taking place at Huw Lewis Tyres and noise test being carried out at Gwili Jones, showing the support the rally had from local businesses, it was off to the Black Lion for signing on and the drivers briefing. Huge crowds had gathered in the town and the start car park was a flurry of activity with people who had ventured over for a look and the banter between competitors and enthusiasts flowed all evening. The burger van once again proved very popular and would have a queue of hungry enthusiasts waiting for a burger or portion of chips all night. The route cards were handed out with plenty of time given for all competitors to plot the intricate 110 miles route on their maps, with extra time given to novice crews to ensure that they had a fair chance of getting everything on the map ready for the night.

Then it was off under the arch and off into the lanes, with the first section taking place at Maestir just outside of Lampter, where the first of the spectator points were located on the first corner of the rally where competitors would turn a harpin right. Following this they would turn right again at a give way, then left at the next one, where the first passage control was located. Following this it was a simple dash towards Cribyn where the section finish was located. This section was a straightforward introduction into the rally and all competitors that managed to pass through it passed through without incurring any penalties. Sadly the escort of Mark Lennox broke its diff on the give way junction, putting them into an early retirement. 

The second section of the event began just outside of Cribyn and passed through Dihewyd, but would first visit Ffynonwen farm where there was a codeboard located after competitors went round the yard. Following Dihewyd the route would turn left at the fork at the bottom of the village and head for Neuadd Lwyd, before turning left into a track where another codeboard was located. The section finished just outside of Llwyncelyn. There were two tight sections in this part of the route, both before and after passing through the village, and they were Time control 4 and Section finish 6. Doing best at Time control 4 were Stefan and Kieran who had 11 seconds gained, right behind them were John and Eurig with 12. Andy and Dai managed 16 seconds, Ieuan and Dafydd achieved 24 seconds after having a slight off in a field, however they would be the quickest at Section finish 6, stopping the clocks on 43 seconds, putting them joint leaders with Stefan and Kieran, who were second quickest with 56 seconds. Behind them were Chris and Shaun with 59 seconds. 

Expert class winners Osian Jones and LLyr Davies

Even in these early stages of the rally there would be names on the retirements sheet, with Arwel and Dylan being excluded for a give way infringement and Lewis and Marc retiring with a broken rotor arm on their escort. Leading experts here were Steven John and Jac with 28 seconds gained. Best semi experts were Jonathan Davies and Lee Taylor in their escort with 44 seconds, and in novice class it was Owain Dixon and Megan Williams that set the standard with 47 seconds.

Following a neutral through Llwyncelyn and Llanarth the next section began by Fron-wen farm where there was another code board to be picked up before the route turned right at the give way. Following this there would be passage control at Blaenwern where the white was used. Time control 8 followed after here, and here it was expert class runners Owain Rowlads and Jamie Mills that had a storming run and stopped the clocks on 13 seconds, Chris and Shaun also did very well here with 15 seconds, this would see them inherit the lead. John and Eurig were next with 33 seconds, and then it was Andy and Dai with 37 seconds. Best semi experts were Owen Rose and Dafydd Jones who had an excellent run and achieved a great time of 37 seconds, great going by them. In novice class it was Ryan Dabner and Jamie Thorp that did best with a very respectable time of 1 minute and 22 seconds. Sadly more would join the retirements list, with Arwel Evans and Richard Williams escort’s engine letting go. Also out were Rhydian Ebeneezer and Liam Evans who had a minor off in their Honda civic which damaged the lights, so sadly they were unable to continue. Sion Busson and Llion Evans were going very well but missed a via and didn’t collect a codeboard so they inherited a couple of fails, they decided to save the car for the up and coming Llyn in North Wales in a couple of weeks time. 

A long easy section through Mydroilyn followed which most cars passed through without adding to their penalty count, and following from there another tight four minute section followed. Beginning just outside of Mydroilyn the route went South past Perthyreglwys before competitors slotted left into the narrow road that is full of 90 degree bends. Following here the route turned right at the give way into Time control 10, this would be another tight one where penalties were gained. Here Andy and Dai tied with Stefan and Keiran on 19 seconds, sadly this would be the last section that Stefan would do, the escort’s dry sump belt snapping after passing through the Time control, forcing them into retirement. Next best at this control were John and Eurig with 21 seconds, then one second further back were Ieuan and Dafydd as well as George and Nick on 22 seconds. Best expert class here were Owain and Arfon with 30 seconds. In the semi expert class it was Carwyn and Steffan that were doing best here, 56 seconds of penalties gained, they would spend a fair amount of their rally catching cars in front of them. In novice class it was Thomas and George that did best with 53 seconds.

Moiddyn white would feature in the next tight section which followed immediately, featuring a spectator point at the entrance to the farm where a crowd of people gathered to catch the action which was made even more tricky for the competitors by the rain and hail that had fallen heavily during the early stages of the night. Once again it was Chris and Shaun that were the pace setters with 25 seconds of penalties gained, Ieuan and Dafydd were once second behind on 26, and then it was John and Ieuan on 27. At this point only 9 seconds separated the top three competitors. 

A straightforward section through the edge of Cribyn finished the section off. From here the route went through Cwrtnewydd for a short four minute section that ended just outside of Cwmsychbant. It was Ieuan and Dafydd that took the best time here with 24 seconds, they would be four seconds in front of Chris and Shaun who had 28 seconds. Sadly this is where Ieuan and Dafydd’s rally would end as they would melt the throttle cable on their escort here. A great shame as they were involved in an incredible battle for the lead. 

The rally would now move to the southern half of the map now as competitors travelled through Llanybydder for the final section of the half. The next section would begin just outside of the village before turning right at a give way, followed by a slot 90 left, then a harpin right into the white at Pant-y-fen. After this they would turn left into another white and into Time control 16. This part of the route was cleaned by more or less everyone, but from here the going would be tough again as the route went into Esgair Dawe. There would be three not as map controls in this part of the route, one code board and two passage controls before a slot harpin right by the church, which was another spectator point. Section finish 17 was located along this part of the road, and here it would be John and Eurig that set a time that no one else could match, gathering only 33 seconds of penalties here. Richard Jerman and Alan James would lose a little time on this section as they picked up a puncture, pushing them outside of the top ten at the halfway petrol halt. 

Petrol would be at Checkpoint garage in Harford, here the top five would read as:

1st. John Davies Eurig Davies 3 minutes 53

2nd. Chris Richmond Hand Shaun Richards 3 minutes 55

3rd. Andy Davies Dai Roberts 4 minutes 45

4th. Kevin Kerr Daniel Jones 5 minutes 10

5th. George Williams Nick Bloxham 5 minutes 26

Leading expert crew at the halfway halt were car 28, Mathew Davies and Dion Lewis who were holding eighth overall with a penalty count of 6 minutes and 18 seconds, best semi experts were Carwyn “bol” Jones and Steffan Thomas who were in twenty-fifth, they had a penalty count of 10 minutes and 6 seconds. Novice class leaders were Thomas Jones and George Eadon with 12 minutes and 11 seconds of penalties, which saw them thirty-first overall. Unfortunately there would be more retirements with Owain Rowlands and Jamie Mills Mazda mx5 retiring with a bent suspension arm. Also retiring were Andrew Davies and Joanna Louise Shand who went OTL at MC2 and the BMW of Owain Dixon and Megan Williams cracking its sump so they would also be out.

The second half began on the Sarn Helen road with a short 4 minute section between Harford and Pumpsaint. Here It was John and Eurig that did best, gaining 15 seconds of penalties. Behind them on 20 seconds were club members Malcolm “tar” Jones and Rhys Jones, they had been having a good rally with some very quick and consistent times all night. They were matched by more club members, as Osian Jones and LLyr Evans put in an excellent performance here, also achieving 20 seconds. Gareth Edwards and Andrew Lowe in another Mk2 Ford escort, were also doing well here, they had 21 seconds.

Semi expert class winners Carwyn "bol" Jones and Steffan Thomas (Adrian Convery photography)

The route would now go to its most southerly point with a long section that would include six Time controls including the section finish one. Starting near Maestwynog competitors would travel through a ford before turning left at a give way, then the route would cross the A482 and go over Mynydd Llansadwrn, where Time control 21 was located. It was John and Eurig that did best here, stopping the clocks on 18 seconds, George and Nick did well here too with 20 seconds, and then it was Chris and Shaun who had 22 seconds. A straightforward run from Mynydd Llansadwrn down to the edge of Waenclunda followed, then it was Time control 22, which was on a not as map junction, which claimed a few victims, including Andy and Dai in the Subaru who decided to withdraw at this point. Also affected were Kevin Kerr and Daniel Jones who would drop a few places, and the mini of Ben Frost-Jones and Gregory Harrand who would also go the wrong way here.

Time control 23 would be at the end of this difficult section and here one it was Chris and Shaun that did best, passing through this control without occurring in any penalties, John and Eurig came next with 1 seconds gained. George and Nick actually arrived early and received a 16 second penalty for an early arrival. More would join the retirements list in these sections as the escort or Rob Stephens would retire with a cracked exhaust manifold. Also retiring during the second half were club member Alan Gaunt, he with Gareth Parry navigating retired with their Peugeot 206 GTI developing an oil leak. 

Section finish 26 would be just before Derwen Fawr farm, before the lanes rejoin the A482. Here it was George and Nick that did best with 37 seconds gained, behind them were Richard and Alan with 43 seconds, and then it was John and Eurig with 45 seconds. Best in expert class here were Steffan Davies and Moi Williams who were running at car 30 in a Peugeot 206 GTI who managed 55 seconds, in semi expert class it was car 53, Rhys Jones and Thomas Wyn Shakespear in a Subaru impreza with 1 minute and 38 seconds here, sadly they would soon retire. In novice class it was Arthur Jones and Trystan Bryan Evans that did best, stopping the clocks on 1 minute and 46 seconds

Back up to the northern half of the map for the final two sections of the rally, and into classic Bro caron lanes. The first section began with a run up to the village of Cellan before competitors turned right and visiting the “impossible harpin” used as a give way junction this year, then it would be down the tarmac white before turning left over the mountain road that goes nearly all the way over to Llanddewi Brefi, before turning left and finishing near Cellan again. There would be three tight sections in this part of the route, the first being at Time control 29, which was just outside of Cellan. Here both John and Eurig, and Gareth and Andrew stopped the clocks on 5 seconds, with the other front runners all gaining some six to twenty seconds of penalties here. Following this would be Time control 31, which would be located on the mountain road just after the give way. George and Nick were the crew to beat over this section, putting in an excellent time of 17 seconds here, they would be the only crew to achieve a penalty count of under 20 seconds here, with John and Eurig being next best on 28 seconds. 

The final tight part of this section was at its finish, being Section finish 33. Chris and Shaun retook the rally lead here with their time of 25 seconds, 17 seconds better than their nearest rival. The escorts of George and Nick and Gareth and Andrew followed as they both managed 20 seconds here.

The final section of the rally was another 4 minute affair, doing a loop around Parc y rhos on the lanes on the lanes that exist between the A482 and the A485. It was Richard and Alan that did best here, passing through the section penalty free, and behind them with 9 seconds were Steven John and Jac followed with 9 seconds gained. 

Novice class winners Thomas Jones and George Eadon (Adrian Convery photography)

At the rugby club for a well earned breakfast for the surviving crews, a demanding route that provided fifteen “droppers” for the front runners, claiming a well earned victory were Chris Richmond Hand and Shaun Richards in their escort, after a string of consistently great times. At the end of the rally the top five results read as follows:

1st. Chris Richmond Hand Shaun Richards 7 minutes 3

2nd. John Davies Eurig Davies 7 minutes 11

3rd. George Williams Nick Bloxham 8 minutes 49

4th. Malcolm “tar” Jones Rhys Jones 9 minutes 59

5th. Gareth Edwards Andrew Lowe 10 minutes 30

Winning the expert class were Osian Jones and Llyr Davies who finished in an excellent seventh overall, they had a great night setting excellent times, even with having to carry out repairs to the car at the petrol halt they got round and finished in a very impressive placing with a penalty count of 12 minutes and 8 seconds Semi expert class honours went to Carwyn “bol” Jones and Steffan Thomas in their Proton. They took yet another class win with a time of 19 minutes and 42 seconds which put them eighteenth overall. Definitely a crew to keep an eye out for over the year, even with having a moment at the beginning of the second half and sliding half of the car into a ditch, they managed to bounce out of it and continue on their way to another class victory. Winning novice class were Thomas Jones and George Eadon in their Peugeot 206 cup car. They had been very consistent all night and ended up twenty third overall with a total penalty count of 25 minutes and 20 seconds. It had been a very challenging night with forty-seven crews managing to register as finishers.

The organisers would like to thank all the competitors, marshalls, establishments and volunteers that made the event possible, and to the general public for allowing the route to pass by their properties during the course of the night.

A huge thanks must go to Adrian Convery photography for the use of their images in this report.