Preview of the Wyedean Stages Rally MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!…
Matthew Hirst and co-driver Declan Dear have won the Wyedean Stages Rally on the last three occasions it has run – 2019 / 2022 / 2023. It’s not unreasonable, therefore, to expect the crew to have their sights set on a fourth consecutive victory… Their change from a Fiesta to a Fabia Rally2 back in September has brought with it a fresh turn of speed and they arrive at the start in Cinderford basking in the glory of their win on the recent Llandudno-based Cambrian Rally.
Featured Image is Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Fabia Rally2) – Cambrian Rally Winners
This year’s Wyedean Stages – the penultimate round of the 2024 Reis Motorsport Insurance Motorsport UK English Rally Championship – offers 41 miles contained in seven special stages and has attracted a quality ‘full-house’ entry of 90 cars. Thus, success cannot be guaranteed – no matter what your past record!
Following the Trackrod Forest Rally, which Hirst also won, Elliot Payne’s lead in the series has narrowed to just four points and, with the Harrogate driver absent from the Wyedean line-up, the opportunity to regain the position that Matthew held throughout the summer will be of prime importance to him!
<<< Nigel & Kaz Jenkins (Vauxhall Nova) – Class E2 Leaders
Nigel & Kaz Jenkins (Nova), who live in the Forest of Dean, are in the English Championship Top Ten overall and lead their class, in spite of retiring from the Kielder Forest Rally in June. A good run on home soil would almost certainly secure the class for the husband-and-wife crew and also boost their 1400cc car’s standing in the full table. However, Ashley Francis-Adams (Micra), who has been pestering them all season, and has actually beaten them on a couple of occasions, is also present, leading to increased pressure on all concerned!
Also competing in Class E2 but only starting his campaign mid-season, the first name to grace this year’s list of Wyedean entries was that of Luke Watts (MG ZR) – Kaz Jenkins’ son and another ‘local’ from Coleford. On the 2023 event, he finished 2nd in his class, ahead of the Jenkins who retired their Nova with engine failure. Although not in line for any Championship honours, having only contested one round so far, Jonathan Brace / Paul Spooner’s immaculate MkI Escort RS1600 could pose a threat to them all on the day.
Michael Jenkins (Fiesta), with co-driver Jordan Joines, leads Class E3 but will, nevertheless, have to fend off the challenge of Sam Mason / James Seymour (Fiesta R2) who retired from the opening round of the English Rally Championship and then missed the second. However, if the level of scoring attained on the next three events is maintained on the Wyedean and then again on the Grizedale Stages, who knows where they may end up…
Meanwhile, Steve Ward / Phil Sandham (Escort Mk2) are one of several crews to maintain a 100% finishing record on events in the English Championship so far this season. Another good run could quite easily elevate them in to the Top Three overall before close of play at the beginning of December. However, as might reasonably be expected, E4 – the class for, among others, Mk2 Escorts – is one of the most popular and joining Ward/Sandham on the Wyedean in similar cars are Rob Dennis / Andy Boswell and Geoff Phelps / Colin Jenkins.
.Steve Ward / Phil Sandham (Escort MkI2) – Class E4 Leaders >>>
SPECTATORS : The first car leaves the start in Cinderford at 8.00am on Saturday 16th November and full details will be available via the website: https://www.wyedeanstages.co.uk/spectators
All photos © Kevin Money & Malcolm Almond
Further information on the Reis Motorsport Insurance Motorsport UK English Rally Championship: www.englishrally.co.uk