Cymru Car Trial

Event Report

Rupert North won the Gerry P Evans memorial Cymru trial for the first time, after dominating his class all day; this was his first win for three years at National level. Heavy overnight rain and morning drizzle had made for extremely slippery conditions with the ground deteriorating continually.

Mike Stephens celebrated fifty years since winning his first trial at the event and lead the rear wheel drive class all day, opening up a nineteen point lead over the two Roberts' Dutton, but was disappointed to only manage third overall, having not driven the car for two years and admitted to some costly errors and not being match fit.

British championship leader Mark Hoppe took an early lead over Yorkshire's Henry Kitching on the first round which he maintained through the rest of the day to secure the class win and second overall by sixteen points. Fellow Yorkshireman John Wadsworth, ex winner of the Coupe des Alps, secured third in class.

The day, however,  belonged to North, who achieved some amazing climbs finishing with lowest marks and twenty five points ahead of ex British Autotest Champion Roger Holder who had borrowed John Moffatt's Nova this year to try and defend his overall win of last year at the event. Dave Oliver sneaked into third in class on the last round with a bit of second gear use in his 205 ahead of Martin Mackenzie (who was also driving Moffatt's Nova) by a single point.

1. Rupert North, Rover Mini, 62.6%

2. Mark Hoppe, Citroen Saxo, 80.2%

3. Mike Stephens, Dutton Melos, 84.5%

4. Roger Holder, Vauxhall Nova, 91.1%

5. Henry Kitching, Vauxhall Corsa, 95.9%

6. Lee Matthews, Ford Escort, 100%

7. Dave Oliver, Peugeot 205GTI, 103.6%

8. Martin Mackenzie, Vauxhall Nova, 104.8%

9. Brian Roberts, Dutton Phaeton, 110.8%

10. Elis Matthews, Ford Escort, 113.3%