A very healthy entry of Clubman cars took part in last weekend's ME Rallysport Showground Stages organised by Newtown Motor Club at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd.

There was also a small entry of Cross Karts, which helped keep the many spectators entertained.

On a slippery day, when power wasn't necessarily an advantage, the historic specification Ford Escort RS1800 of Devonians Jack Thorne and Andy Richards came through to take a good victory over last year's winners Lee Edwards and Robbie Pugh in a V6-powered Mk3 Ford Escort. Third, after losing time on the final stage, were Chris Powell and Jim Lewis in another Escort.

Overall event winner, Jack Thorne and co-driver Andrew Richards, in the wonderful Escort RS
Overall event winner, Jack Thorne and co-driver Andrew Richards, in the wonderful Escort RS (Copyright: Mark Griffin) (.)

A number of crews flew under the flag of Brecon Motor Club, the pick of the bunch being Joseph Palmer and Steve McPhee, who flew in their little Nissan Micra to win their class by nearly two minutes and embarrass many more powerful cars along the way to finish 13th overall.

A cluster of local crews finished in the top 30, Llangadog's Bleddyn Thomas was 23rd overall with Brecon local Sam Weller in the passenger seat guiding him. They had a steady start getting used to a new engine but really picked up the pace as the day went on. Abergavenny father and daughter combination Rob and Nicola Davies were not far behind in 24th overall, in their first event in 12 months - both of these crews running in the class for road rally cars.

Bleddyn Thomas and Brecon-based co-driver Sam Weller tackle the slippery showground stages
Bleddyn Thomas and Brecon-based co-driver Sam Weller tackle the slippery showground stages (Copyright: Mark Griffin) (.)

Club member Harri Evans, from Llandovery, sat with rallying legend Graham Hollis from St Clears and Corfu and finished in 25th position in their Ford Escort with Harri's father, Colin, just 1.2 seconds behind in his road rally class BMW 318, with no problems to report after an uneventful day.

Newtown Motor Club should be applauded for putting on a great event for club crews, and they were repaid as the entry was full and well oversubscribed.