Nick Elliott takes the BHRC victory at Rally North Wales under new re-vamped rules.

Rally North Wales 2018 ran with the new Rally2WD format. The event was split into two separate rallies for 2WD and 4WD crews with the 2WD rally starting early and finishing at lunchtime before the 4WD crews took to the stages in the afternoon.

This new format meant the two wheel drive crews had the best of the road conditions which made for a very impressive entry list. Among the names was local driver Osian Pryce, competing in a Ford Escort Mk 2.

Osian Pryce and Dale Furniss were the first car on the road.

The event is organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club and cave competitors 45 miles of forest stages in the Dyfi forest.

The Gartheiniog stage awaits the crews in the early morning sun.

Ieuan Rowlands and Emyr Hall took the early lead in the two wheel drive event only to succumb to mechanical issues on their Hillman Avenger. This left Nick Elliott out in front, a position he would protect for the rest of the morning.

“It was great, big pressure today, plenty of good people behind me… The stages have been tricky but the pace has been good.” said Elliott.

The win means Elliott takes maximum points in both the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship the Fuchs Lubricants MSA BHRC championship. However, he is not going to be competing at the Pirelli Carlisle Rally – the next round of the BHRC which could throw the championship wide open.

Marty McCormack took second place overall in his Escort Mk 2 with Paul Barrett and Dai Roberts taking third in a similar car. Osian Pryce took second in the Pirelli Welsh Rally championship with John Rowlands taking the third step on the podium.

In the four wheel drive event Dylan Davies took the fastest time on all six stages in his Subaru Impreza to take victory by over 1 minute 30 seconds over Matthew Hurst in the Mitsubishi Evo. Wug Utting took third also in a Subaru Impreza.