Rallynuts Stages Rally postponed
Midland Manor Motor Club regret to announce the 2020 Rallynuts Stages Rally, planned for the 18th April will be postponed following the latest directive from the sport’s governing body, Motorsport UK who have suspended all organising permits with immediate effect due to the Covid-19 situation.
The event organising committee have provisionally selected the 8th August as the new date for the 2020 event.
Organisers have been closely monitoring the Covid-19 pandemic and the implications of running the popular event over recent weeks and was well advanced in the planning of the Builth Wells based gravel rally which was set to attract a top-quality entry to the mid-Wales forests.
Yesterday (17th March), Motorsport UK temporarily suspended all motorsport permits due to the potential increased risk to competitors, officials, spectators and communities.
Joint Clerks of the Course, Chris and Keith Ashley said “Following the announcements made by Motorsport UK today, the organising committee regret to announce that the 2020 Rallynuts Stages Rally is to be postponed. We of course fully support Motorsport UK’s position and organisers had been working tirelessly to offer one of the most popular events’ in the British Rallying calendar.
We are working with our championships, stakeholders and key officials to potentially run on 8th August 2020 and we need to ensure it is an agreeable solution for all.
Of course, the health and well being of everyone is paramount. A huge amount of time, effort and investment has already gone into the planning of the event, which was all set to be another superb rally. I`d like to thank the hard-working officials and organising team for everything they have done for the rally and our sponsors Rallynuts for their unrivalled support. We look forward to seeing everyone later in the year.”
The Rallynuts Stages Rally will issue a full refund to paid up entries via the nominated bank details and full confirmation of the new date will be announced in due course.
The event is a round of the MRF Tyres BTRDA Rally Series, Pirelli Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship, The West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters Rally Challenge, the Brian Dennis Motorsport/Marsh Commercial Welsh Historic Rally Championship and the Independent Paint Supplies Rally Challenge.
The full wording of the statement from Motorsport UK is available here: https://www.motorsportuk.org/motorsport-uk-covid-19-update
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2018 Rallynuts Stages Rally – Revised Results
Following the exclusion of competitor Paul Bird from the Rallynuts Stages Rally 2018 by the Motor Sports Council National Court on 5th March 2019, the revised results are hereby published and can be downloaded here.
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New stages and format in store for 2019 Rallynuts Stages
Organisers of this year’s Rallynuts Stages have announced a radical new-look to the 13th April event which offers a dynamic route and format for the Midland Manor Motor Club promoted forest stage rally.
Regulations have now been released and online entry is now available, for the 46thrunning of the popular rally, sponsored by established racewear and accessory firm Rallynuts Motorsport who enter their fourth year as title sponsors.
In a bid to ensure the event remains unique, organisers will utilise the Coed Sarnau complex which has not been used since the 1990s and offers a new challenge for crews. Hafren forest will also be used for the first time in many years on the event, made famous in recent times by Britain’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB.
The Rallynuts Stages will ensure the best possible road conditions for all crews by offering a substantial 29 miles of single-use forestry with six stages totalling almost 45 miles of top-quality stages. To complement this, crews with smaller engined cars (classes RF1.4, RF2.0, 1400C and 1400S) and Historic Category vehicles (H1 & H2) will be able to run first on the road, followed by the main field.
Offering unrivalled facilities, pre-event documentation and scrutineering as well as the service halt will all be based at the Builth Wells Showground.
The event is proud to be a qualifying round of the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Series for the second year in a row. It will also welcome back the Pirelli Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the Brian Dennis Motorsport / Jelf Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship. The FMP Rally Challenge will also join the event in 2019 after being a reserve round last year.
Chris Ashley, Clerk of the Course for this year’s event is pleased to be able to offer a dynamic new-look event in 2019.
“The Rallynuts Stages has long been a popular event in the British Rallying calendar,” he says.
“But its very important to keep progressing and moving the rally forward so the team decided to look at other options in 2019 and we believe we have one of the best Rallynuts Stages in store for many years. The stages look great and we will be the first rally to use them this year. With new stages in Coed Sarnau and Hafren, as well as the revised running order, we believe we have catered for everyone this year and I look forward to welcoming competitors to Builth Wells in April”.
More information on the event, regulations and online entry can be found at www.rallynutsrally.co.uk
Or follow the event on social media:
www.facebook.com/RallynutsStagesRally
www.twitter.com/rallynutsstages
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Rallynuts Rally makes H4H donation
The 2018 Rallynuts Rally has made a generous donation of £500 to Help for Heroes, the UK Armed Forces and Military Veterans Charity. (https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ )
Our former Equipment Officer Mike Davis, has for many years allowed the event to store its equipment at his premises free of charge. It was his wish that if the event could afford to do so, to make a donation to H4H, a charity dear to him and his family.
Mike said: “In a year which has seen the RAF celebrate 100 years and in which will mark the centenary of the end of the first World War, it is appropriate that any donation goes to those who have fought in the armed forces.”
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Rallynuts Stages ready to Rally!
The 45th running of the Rallynuts Stages Rally heralds a significant change to the event formally known as the Severn Valley Stages, as entries open this week for the re-named event on the 14th April 2018.
Established racewear and accessory firm Rallynuts Motorsport became title sponsor of the rally in 2016 and thanks to the success of the past two years, have further enhanced the partnership by signing a long-term agreement to become title sponsors until 2023.
Located in its now traditional rally base at in Builth Wells, organisers of the popular event have devised a new-for-2018 route, which offers 45 miles of classic rallying in the Cefn, Crychan, Gwibedog and Radnor forests, spread across seven stages.
To ensure the conditions of the Welsh forests are in optimum condition for all crews in the field, 31 miles will be single use, ensuring smooth roads for all competitors on the Midland Manor Motor Club organised rally.
The all-gravel event will also welcome back the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Championship which returns after 27 years away. The rally was a round of the Gold Star Championship between 1983 and 1990 and the national rally series will undoubtedly bring a new feel to the event and along with it, a wide range of cars and crews from across the UK to the county of Powys in April.
It will once again be a qualifying round of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship, who will be joined by the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship.
The event will retain many of its popular characteristics from the last few years, offering competitors a cost effective, compact and friendly rally in the heart of Wales.
The rally base at the Royal Welsh Showground offers a perfect location for the event thanks to its unrivalled facilities, playing host to Rally HQ, Scrutineering, attended overnight parking, service and the start and finish ceremonies.
Joint Clerk of the Course Chris Ashley believes the format of this year’s event is one of the best yet and is looking forward to welcoming both championship and non-championship crews to the event.
“Year on year we have worked really hard to ensure our event has a great route across stages that are in their prime and I think we have that just right again in 2018, especially with the significant amount of single usage on offer” he says.
“This will really help the crews further back in the field and as it’s the first time these stages will have been used this year, they will be in top condition. We are also of course delighted to welcome Rallynuts as long-term title sponsors and the despite the date, name and championship change, we are still the same great rally everyone has enjoyed in the past. It has all the ingredients of a great weekend of rallying”.
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2018 Rallynuts Stages Rally is launched
The all-gravel event will enter its 45th year in 2018 and after being renamed the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages in 2016, will adopt a new title after signing a long-term agreement with leading motorsport firm, Rallynuts.
The popular rally will once again be based in Builth Wells and welcomes the BTRDA Rally Series for the first time since 1990 to the event. Moving from its traditional June date, the Rallynuts Stages has made the shift to a spring slot and will see it form round three of the national gravel championship.
It will also form round four of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship and will be joined by the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship.
Becoming title sponsor of the rally in 2016, established racewear and accessory firm Rallynuts Motorsport had continued their support for the event into 2017 and thanks to the success of the past two years, will further enhance the partnership
Managing Director of Rallynuts Paul Bonas is excited at the agreement as the firm enters a phase of expansion at its premises in the Midlands.
“Rallynuts celebrates its 27th birthday next year and what a great way to celebrate by helping to host a round of the fantastic BTRDA Rally Championship and the new name which will see the event being called the Rallynuts Stages Rally “ says Bonas.
“Rallynuts is committed to supporting this event until at least 2023 and we look forward to welcoming many of you to this event so you can share in this fantastic rally experience. Our new Showroom opens soon in Redditch and we would be delighted to welcome everyone to our new facility in the near future.”
“We are entering an exciting phase in the firm’s history and we would encourage anyone in the motorsport fraternity to try us out. We think you will be very pleasantly surprised. We are proud and excited to be part of this new round of BTRDA and welcome our existing championships back to the event. Id like wish everyone involved a great event and every success”.
More information on the event will be released soon and can be found on the website at www.rallynutsrally.co.uk
Or follow the event on social media:
www.facebook.com/rallynutsstagesrally
www.twitter.com/rallynutsstages
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McCloskey dominates Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages
Connor McCloskey and John Rowan made the trip across the Irish Sea a worthwhile one, taking a dominant win at the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages this weekend (3rd June) in their Ford Fiesta WRC.
Making it a Fiesta podium lockout, Charles Payne and Carl Williamson took second spot in his new version of the Fiesta WRC with the husband and wife pairing of Martyn and Dawn England rounding off the top three in their R5+ derivative.
Sponsored once again by established race wear and accessory firm Rallynuts Motorsport, the Midland Manor Motor Club organised event started its 44th year with around 90 cars from the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship and Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship.
Crews contested 44 miles across classic Welsh forests including Crychan and Radnor and endured a largely dry and dusty day with scattered showers ensuring some sections of the stages remained slippery under the trees.
Courtesy of winning the rally in 2013, McCloskey started the event with the coveted number one on the door and was looking for seat time on gravel ahead of the remaining rounds of the season.
Leading from the very first stage, McCloskey opened proceedings with a two second gap on stage one and crossed the finish line at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells with a 45 second winning margin.
The Northern Irishman enjoyed a trouble free day and was pleased to take his second event win and in the process, took maximum points for his Welsh Rally Championship aspirations.
“It’s been a great day and I`m pleased to head to the Carlisle Rally next weekend with a win under our belts” said rally winner McCloskey at the finish. “We backed off a little over the final loop to conserve the car but the stages have been fantastic today. The car has been faultless too so everything has just come together for us this weekend.”
Charles Payne spent the event getting to grips with his new Fiesta WRC having previously piloted an S2000 version of the car. Needing to adopt a new driving style for the two litre machine, he quickly adapted to his new surroundings and never ventured outside of the podium positions all event long. Payne was “suitably at home” by the time he sprayed the champagne back at Builth Wells in second spot.
Whilst the top two positions remained reasonably static throughout the day, the battle for third spot changed hands several times before settling in the favour of the England’s with quickest time over the final test. Dylan Davies and Llion Williams were the first to challenge for the podium in their Subaru Impreza.
Opening proceedings with a second fastest time, his climb up the leader board was thwarted by a misfire which never left the Welsh pairing during the entire event. Despite a brief trip back up to third on the penultimate stage, Davies was forced to settle for fourth spot.
Taking first in the British Historic Championship, Nick Elliott and Dave Price battled all event long with local man Jason Pritchard and co-driver Phil Clarke with Elliott taking victory by just five seconds after a tense day of competitive driving.
Both driving Ford Escort MK2’s, Pritchard and Elliott swapped seconds on each of the seven tests, with the super-fast Radnor stage deciding the event in the favour of Elliott.”I was a little scrappy this morning which cost us a bit of time but I`m really pleased to have taken another Historic win today” said Elliott.
“I knew Jason would be quick this weekend so its nice to head into the asphalt rounds with a bit of pressure on him for the remainder of the season”.
Steve Bennett and Osian Owen rounded off the top three in the Historic category in their MK2 Escort. With only one event under his belt so far in 2017, Bennett showed no sign of being rusty with several top ten overall times throughout the day, marking his intensions for the remainder of the season.
Clerk of the Course Chris Ashley was delighted with the 2017 event. “Congratulations to Connor for taking his second event win here at the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages” said Ashley.
“We have received some fantastic feedback from competitors today and it is a credit to our dedicated organising team for producing a first class rally once again. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteer marshals who helped ensure the event ran faultlessly. We also would like to thank our sponsor Rallynuts for all their support and look forward to continuing our relationship for next year’s event and beyond”.
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Quality entry heads for Rallynuts Severn Valley
An impressive line-up of names will contest this weekend’s Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages
A top-class entry will head to Builth Wells this weekend as the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship and Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship converge for the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages (3rd June).
Sponsored once again by established race wear and accessory firm Rallynuts Motorsport, the Midland Manor Motor Club organised event enters its 44th year and around 90 cars will contest the rally.
Based at the Royal Welsh Showground, the event takes place in the Gwibedog, Cefn, Crychan and Radnor forests with 44 miles of special stages lying in wait. With world class stages on offer, the event has attracted the attentions of competitors from across UK and Ireland. Connor McCloskey brings his stunning Ford Fiesta WRC across the Irish Sea with John Rowan alongside.
The 2013 Severn Valley Stages winner heads to the event in a bid to gain more experience of the Welsh forests and to improve on his 14th spot in the Welsh Championship. He will be one to watch for his second outright victory at the weekend.
BTRDA regular Charles Payne will pilot his new Ford Fiesta WRC, co-driven by Carl Williamson. Payne has a proven record in the Welsh forests, taking a podium spot on the event in 2010 and will undoubtedly be embroiled in a battle for the win with McCloskey.
Dylan Davies and Llion Williams will aim to improve on their current Welsh Championship position in their Subaru Impreza. After winning the Red Kite Stages earlier this year, another win has eluded the Welsh pairing and will be hoping to reverse that at the weekend.
Fellow Subaru Impreza crew Andy Davies and Max Freeman have showed a fine run of form recently, taking their showroom Group N specification version to second in the Welsh Championship. They will be looking to close in on the gap to first.
Also in action this weekend will be event sponsor Rallynuts co-director Craig Cameron in a Subaru Impreza. Co-driven by Chris Rice, Cameron can often be found in the passenger seat for fellow director Paul Bonas but will be behind the wheel this time around.
The eagerly anticipated Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship returns to the event once again and provides rally fans with plenty of action on the stages. Leading the field away are Nick Elliott and Dave Price in their Ford Escort Mk2. Taking three wins from three so far this season, they will aim to make it four in a row as the series turns to asphalt after the Severn Valley Stages, a surface Elliott has perhaps less of an affinity with.
Local hero Jason Pritchard is Elliott’s closest rival and literally crosses the road from the family car dealership to the Royal Welsh Showground rally base. With Phil Clarke in the co-driver’s seat, Pritchard will use his Ford Escort MK2 in the forest closest to his Builth Wells home and hopes to take his first win of the season.
Rudi Lancaster has returned to the sport in recent years after a several decades away, but now is on the edge of his first historic category win in his Escort Mk2. Guy Weaver co-drives for the Devon man and the duo are third crew away.
Spectators will be given plenty of opportunities to catch the action both on and off the stages. Competitors will be flagged away by the Mayor of Builth Wells Town Council at 8.30am on Saturday from the Royal Welsh Showground before heading out to tackle seven challenging stages. Crews will return for service at 10.50am and 1.00pm with the finish celebrations taking place at around 4pm.
Crychan kicks off the spectator stages with its first run at around 9.30am. The forest can be accessed just north east of Cynghordy and with a second pass at 3.00pm, is a popular spot for rally fans.
Radnor offers another chance to watch the cars in action, with one pass of the stage at around 12.15pm. The stage can be accessed off the A488 near Monaughty.
The popular event is also a round of the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters Challenge, FMP Rally Challenge and Brian Dennis Welsh Historic Rally Championship.
Follow the event on social media:
www.facebook.com/severnvalleystages
www.twitter.com/svsstages
Image: Gasmark Media
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Rally driver returns to the Severn Valley Stages after 30 years away
The 2017 Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages will mark a special occasion for Pembroke resident John Williams, as he returns to the event for the first time in exactly 30 years. After contesting the Welsh Rally Championship back in the 80’s, John retired from active competition due to family commitments and of course costs.
Three decades later, John has decided to return to the event which marked his last outing way back in 1987.
Read his story:
“I started rallying in 1984 at the age of 18 and contested various events until I really went for it on the 1987 Welsh Forestry Championship in my home built MK2 RS2000” he says. “I scored a few good results with a best placing of 3rd overall on a snowy Mid Wales stages and was co driven by Andy Morgan who later went on to co drive for ‘Mad’ Mick Jones.”
John in action on the 1987 Severn Valley Stages
“I was I think lying about 2nd in the championship to Jon Ballinger but by the end of the Severn Valley stages I had big problems with my engine and could not afford to repair it. I just basically run out of money and could see no way of funding it as I was at home on a farm with my father and money was tight so I just sold the car. I loved the sport but could not afford it so just tried to forget about it and would not attend events because of that. I took up other sports in the meantime that were a lot cheaper.”
A sentiment which rings true with many of us of course. However, once a rally driver…always a rally driver.
“In 2014 my new son in law bought a rally car and I went along to help service and I am afraid that was it, the bug came back and within a year I had bought myself a MK1 Escort because I now prefer the look and the history of the Mk1 Escort. I did 4 SV rallies last year to get the feel back but my heart lies in the forests so I am really looking forward to this years SV stages. I think it was my very first forest rally in 1985 as well . My intention is just to get round and relearn all the techniques on how to drive on loose surfaces, you just cannot practice any other way unfortunately but to just do it.”
Organisers of the event wish John the very best of luck.
Main Image: John in action in his MK1 Escort in 2016.
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