January 2016 - Forresters Car Club

Welcome to the Forresters
Car Club 2015 Annual
awards dinner and dance
The Annual!
January 16th 2016
@ The Holiday Inn Newport
Chairmans Report 2015
2015 saw Forresters Car Club continue to successfully promote motorsport and work with charities in
South East Wales. For this year special thanks must go to your committee who have worked hard this to
promote Forresters Car Club. As you read this report I will have just returned from Finland. Consequently
my other motorsport duties have taken me away from the club on numerous occasions in 2015. I would
like to thank Jamie Vaughan as our Vice Chairman for covering for me in my absence. We must also
congratulate the whole commitee for their time and effort in 2015. It has been a very busy year for the
club, which reflects the dedication of you all as members, in supporting all aspects of motorsport.
I continue to be pleased to see our younger members taking an active role in organising activities and
events. This year has seen an increase in our have marshalling and running controls on numerous events
which has been really appreciated by other clubs.
Once more the Caerwent Rallies were a tremendous success, with all three events being well supported
by competitors and marshals. I mention this each year, but as a club we must start to look at promoting
other motorsport events just in case we lose Caerwent as a motorsport venue. I would like to personally
thank all members that have taken an active part in helping with our successful rallies this year.
Club nights have been well supported with a range of activities organised by the committee.
Our charity fundraising for the Air Ambulance has been excellent this year with £2600 being raised. A big
thank you must go to Andy Campling for his Quiz Nights, Newtown Motors Cwmbran and to those that
worked tirelessly this year to make the charity fund raising a success.
So that is enough from me…
Happy New Year
Have a safe 2016
Neil Fuller
Chairman
Forresters Car Club Stage Rally Challenge 2015
This has been the first year that this has been setup by myself (Dan Saunders). The majority of our
competing members are the clubman type who don’t do any national championships which do a few
rallies a year. I wanted to set something up for them who usually don’t get the credit for their great
results and hard work. So 11 local rallies to south wales were chosen where Forresters car club is
represented. Out of these 11 rallies only 6 scores would count giving the majority our of members who
usually only do 4 or 5. The year started very well with at least 10 drivers and 10 navigators. We ended up
with 13 drivers which was won by Martin Evans competing in 5 of the 11 rounds. He was chased all the
way by Paul Goodman in his very reliable 205 who competed in 4 events and finished all 4.
The Navigators challenge was a bit more fierce with 16 registrations , Jamie Vaughan won the challenge
but had to chase down myself (Dan) for the second half of the season. Jamie ended up wining by a fair
margin after completing 7 rounds.
I personally thank everyone who has helped me run the challenge this year and all my competitors who I
want to see back next year!
The full results are as follows:
position
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
11th
11th
Driver Name
Martin Evans
Paul Goodman
Richard Bliss
Dai Morgan
Rod Haven
Les Skeet
Hugh Austwick
Ian Sutton
Trevor Keeble
Steve Blackham
Richard Merriman
Geno Cook
Steve O'leary
R1
25
10
0
15
12
1
20
1
18
1
1
1
1
R2
25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R3
0
20
0
0
0
25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R4
25
0
20
1
18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R6
18
0
25
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R7
1
25
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
R8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R9 R10 R11 Total Pts
0 0 0
94
0 25 0
80
25 0 0
70
20 0 0
56
0 0 0
31
0 0 1
28
0 0 0
20
18 0 0
19
0 0 0
18
1 0 0
3
0 0 0
1
0 0 0
1
0 0 0
1
Position
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
13th
14th
15th
15th
Co-Driver Name
Jamie Vaughan
Dan Saunders
Karen Phelps
Jordan Wilkinson
Ryan Jones
Kath Curzon
Dave Goodman
Richard Suter
Kevin Haven
Les Skeet
Tom Murphy
Howard Cartwright
Cameron Probert
Rob Billingham
Michael O'leary
Paul Goodman
R1
20
25
10
0
6
1
1
15
12
0
8
18
4
1
1
0
R2
20
25
18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
R3
25
0
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R4
20
25
12
15
0
0
0
1
18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R6
25
18
0
0
0
15
0
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R7
1
1
0
0
25
0
20
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
R8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
R9
20
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
25
0
0
0
0
0
1
R10 R11 Total Pts
0 0
130
0 0
94
0 0
60
18 25
59
20 0
51
25 0
41
15 0
36
0 0
36
0 0
31
0 0
25
0 0
23
0 0
18
0 0
5
0 1
3
0 0
1
0 0
1
If you are interested in the 2016 Challenge please see myself Dan Saunders, Its completely free for
Forresters car club members. Below are the rounds for 2016 challenge.
Rd 1– 27th March Tour of Caerwent
Rd 2– 2nd April Get it sideways stages @ Down Ampney
Rd 3- 30th April Corinium Stages @ Down Ampney
Rd 4- 1st May Dixies Historic Challenge Epynt
Rd 5– 5th June Mini Epynt Stages
Rd 6– 12th June Mid-summer Caerwent
Rd 7– 31st July Harry Flatters Epynt
Rd 8– 6th August Carfax Stages @ Throckmorton
Rd 9- 25th September Patriot Stages Caerwent
Rd 10– 23rd October Peter Lloyd stages Pembrey
Forresters Car Club Charity 2015
For 2015, we decided to nominate the Wales Air Ambulance as our chosen
Charity to support through various fundraising events during the year.
Our monthly quiz organised by Andy Campling
took place on the last Thursday of each month,
and were well attended with Rule 6 being applied
regularly. Thank you to Andy for organising these.
We then also fundraise at our three rallies which
we run in Caerwent. This
is where we run a raffle for competitors to buy a ticket
on any of the events to win a free entry into one of
the following year’s events. The three events were
Tour of Caerwent, Midsummer Caerwent and the
Patriot Stages; where the draw took place. The
winner this year was Mr Martin Masters from
Barnstaple.
The next event in our calendar was our Motorsport
Evening in July hosted by Newtown Motors of
Cwmbran. We have run this event for 5 years, where
we invite people to bring their rally cars, classic cars
and modern sports cars to display and socialise with other motoring
enthusiasts. The evening also has Car Rides, raffles
and an auction. Our last event of the year was a
town-centre display in Cwmbran Shopping Centre
which we held jointly with Wales Air Ambulance.
This was another great day with lots of our
members turning up to promote the club and
encourage more people to come and get involved with motorsport. We also
caught up with people who were members 10 to 15 years ago, bringing back
many memories. The total raised for the year was £2600
Pugsley & Adrian Williams 2015
2015 was our first year representing Forrester’s car club although Adrian was previously a member of
Forrester’s car club way back in 1983 (ish).
We joined Forrester’s because it is a club with a reputation for being friendly & well organised, in addition
we already know many of the club members. It has been a good choice & we will definitely be renewing
our membership in 2016.
2015 was a fairly quiet season for us, various factors restricted us to just four rallies. We completed all of
the events that we started – which is always a bonus!
Epynt is a favourite venue for us and therefore made up three of our four 2015 events. Despite not
creating any startling results we do enjoy the challenges of the roads & conditions.
Dixies Challenge rally had a fairly small entry which played a part our the highest overall Epynt finish in
16th place.
We were forced to make a late withdrawal prior to the Midsummer Caerwent Stages with engine
problems but a finish on Patriot Stages gave us our best ever finish at Caerwent 20th overall & 1st in class.
We are hoping to compete in more events during 2016 time & money allowing. First event of 2016 will be
Rali Cwm Gwendraeth at Pembrey.
Our results for 2015 are as follows:
Yea
r
201
5
201
5
201
5
201
5
Surface
Start
No
Finish pos
O/A
Class
pos
Patriot Stages Caerwent 2015
Tarmac
47
20
1
2 litre 8 valve
Mewla Rally Epynt 2015
Tarmac
79
55
3
2 litre 8 valve
Welsh Marches Mini Epynt 2015
Tarmac
70
32
5
2 litre 8 valve
Dixies Historic Challenge Epynt 2015
Tarmac
27
16
5
2 litre 8 valve
Event
Class entered
Paul Goodman’s 2015 year in Rallying
The year started off well for me in the ultrareliable Peugeot 205 gti with Dave co-driving we managed a
3rd in class on the Ralli Cwmgwendraeth Pembrey stages in February. The next rally was The Tour of
Caerwent in March. I offered a co-drive to
Cameron Probert for him to gain experience as this was his first time. He did well although we finished
low down as there was a strong field competing. Next up was the Emcos IT stages at Down Ampney. This
time co-driving for me was Emma Lewis. This was also her first time co-driving. She gained confidence
and experience as the day went on and again we finished the day in a respectable position. Middle of the
year saw us go to Throckmorton for the Carfax Stages rally. It was back to son Dave in the co-driving seat.
After the first two stages not having any front brakes, due to a prepping fault of mine, Kelvin Saunders
quickly sorted them out to help us on our way to finish 29th oa and the only Forresters driver to finish.
September saw Dave and me off to the Peter Lloyd Stages rally at Pembrey. The weather was fine and dry
and the pug went around like a go-kart all day. Running 3 in class, then 2nd and eventually gaining 1st in
class was great. Returning to Pembrey in December me and Dave did not do so well. The track was quite
slippy around junctions and chicanes and after a few moments my confidence fell and was not at all on
the pace. Dave did his best to push me on but at least we finished yet another rally making it 11 out of 11
finishes for the old Pug.
Many thanks to Steve Mace for servicing on the rallies and others that helped him.
Paul Goodman.
Peter Lewis & Paul Fife
Only did one event this year together, The Wyedean in February. Picture the scene a 5ft 10" 15 stone lad
who hadn't done an event in 5 years or notes for that matter for 7 said yes to sitting in a mini ! (Not just
any mini I hasten to add, better ask Peter for the history the author would do it an injustice.)
So the day arrived, a sunny start greeted us and we went off to the first stage. Slight detour but we
arrived before time. We launched into the stage. Slippy. Only word to describe it. Slight fluff or two of the
notes but back in the game ! Second and third stages where rough. Very rough. We damaged the
suspension. But we carried on.
Arrived in service and repairs done. Spine realignment for Paul (it was very rough in a mini!) off again to
complete the remaining stages. We got a hole in the rad and we stared to get very warm. Into the last
stage after a pit stop for rad weld ! We went all out. A square left and downhill into a square right nearly
proved to be our downfall. Brakes and gears decided to fight Peter and we got beached on a bank. Thank
you to all who got us out and back on with it.
So we rolled across the finish line. Tired and broken. Truly a fantastic event. And a brilliant adventure with
a very good driver.
We finished 1st in class. Peter has a great big trophy to prove it and we both have a glass award to prove
our adventures and challenges were all worth the trials and tribulations. Great fun.
Ryan Jones
Well the 2015 season has come to a end, and what a mixed one it was!! The year started well by missing
out on the class win by 3 seconds at the Rali Cwm Gwendreath with Chris Hand! Then finally the class win
I had been after for two year on my first gravel event the Wyedean with Forresters very own Geno
Cook...you may have heard of him.
From there on it went down hill with a wheel falling off on the Mid Wales on my last rally with Aaron
Jones! A puncture on the last stage at Caerwent with Chris Hand put to bed any good result, clutch failure
on the Bro Preseli with Evan Shepard and then going straight to Talbenny to sit with Chris only to snap a
Half shaft on the very first stage, but hey we finished! Then rolling a week later on the Somerset Stages
with Geno.....shock ;)(my first roll)
Then some luck at the Plains with a class win with Geno, a bloody good drive from him smile emoticon
The following day I finished dale drama free with Chris with a wild last two stages trying to win the
entertainer award! final result 22nd and 6th in class. My luck had seemed to have changed. Then at
Brawdy with Kevin Jones in the Might Corsa whilst something like 17th O/A and 2nd in class we clipped a
tyre and broke a Cv Joint.
The best result was still to come at the Carfax 9th O/A and 3rd in class with Dave Allmark which was my
first top 10 finish...happy days. Next up the Mewla with Steve Hopkins after a good day and a dodgy 3rd
gear with finished 53rd and 4th in class. Two Road Rallies followed the Mynydd Du With Ricky Reynolds,
and the 1000 lanes with Evan Shepard. Both went well and the 1000 lanes somehow I managed to pick up
my first pot on a road rally! The Peter Lloyd Stages was the third event in as many weeks with yet another
diffreent drive.
A last minute change meant I was in with Dylan James. A pretty good result inside the top 20! The
penultimate event of the year was the Powys Lanes with Evan again. and it's fair to say I was glad it was
cancelled at petrol! Then finally the Jaffa Stages Alan Bowen. After getting a late run I was very excited for
this one! after a good start we had to retire in service after SS2 from 21st O/A and 3rd in class with a bent
axle after some idiot decided to stop in the middle of the Beach Rd "To let us past" and we hit his car with
the back wheel as we squeezed past!!!
2016 looks to be a jam packed year with the Welsh Road Rally Championship and trying to sit with 2
other drivers on top of that, Woods again with Geno...if he doesn't sell the car few events with Chris
Hand again and h
Richard Bliss
Had very good year Competing in the Heart of England Championship with Jamie Vaughan, only doing 5
rounds of the championship and managed to finish 2 nd overall and win the 1600 class.
Also Contesting in the King of Epynt, Richard Finished 1st in the 1600 Class even after a Crash on the first
round on the Tour of Epynt .
Richard has also had some excellent results through the year, with many class awards and some top 10
overall results in 2015
hopefully the Welsh Tarmac and Fmp again!! Just got to decide who to sit with.
Jamie Vaughan
Well 2015, what an up and down rally season it has been, didn't start off the best but got better and better. The year started as any
rally year with Brean stages round 1 of the 2016 heart of England championship with Richard Bliss in the civic, going real well on
day 1 and was in the top 20 and top3 in class but then on Sunday we had a slight problem and had to take a stage max, so our top
20 result and top 3 class position was gone! But still got to the end had a good result. The end of February would see me and Tom
Potter go to Bovington stages. We thought the car would suit the venue, and was looking for a top result so after ss2 and we was
lying 4th overall we were very happy! But then ss3 game and our chance of a good result was over gearbox failed!
The next rally I done was the tour of Epynt, this rally was with Will Hill in the fiesta ST this was to be a rally to remember for all the
wrong reasons. It was Will's 1st time on Epynt. Ss1 went great and we set a good competitive time. But ss2 is where it went horribly
wrong 4 miles into the stage we had the biggest crash of or life's, we left the road at 115mph and rolled at least 12 times, it put me
and Will both in hospital. That was the end of our rally and the rally car! Both lucky to walk away from the crash. Would just like to
thank, club members Nigel Pratt, Spencer Morgan and especially Kea Hinde for being there for us. After spending the night in
hospital, 4 days later, battered and bruised we went to view a car to use for me to drive on sprints and hill climbs. Anyway back to
the rallying 2 weeks later I was back in a rally car and competing, the Caerwent rally with tom potter in the Subaru was next, this
would be his 1st visit to the venue and at the end of the day if you said we would be 10th overall and 2nd in class we would of bit
your arm off. But that’s where we finished! Moving into April, myself and Will we were back out competing, on the Down Ampney
stages. But this time in a fiesta R2 the crash was behind us and we finished 18th overall and 3rd in class. A great result for 1st time
out in the car.
May is always a busy month in the rally calendar and last year was no different starting with being back at Down Ampney with Tom
potter, the event went very well we finished 7th overall and 4th in class. Onto the next one and it was down to Cornwall for the TSH
stages back out with Tom potter. Again was going so well and was lying 3rd overall but on the last stage of the day the drive shaft
snapped and it was game over! But we would be out to win the trophy rally the day after, we was doing exactly that leading by
1min! Last stage another drive shaft snapped and we would be out the rally for good now. Onto the next rally in may and it was
back down to Down Ampney this time with Richard Bliss in the civic, 1st time rick had been to the venue and we were looking for
some good championship points, we finished 7th overall and 1st in class! A great result. Onto the Last rally of may ame and Rick
would be back out, on Epynt for the Mini Epynt stages. By the end of the day our final result was 10th overall and 2nd in class
against some tough opposition.
Abingdon was my next event and this one was a special one, it would be the 1st time I drove competitive on a sprint course. I was
in a 1600cc Vauxhall Corsa and with only 100bhp and in class with 2litre cars it would be hard to get anywhere near the top! But
setting some times that was getting quicker and quicker! I finished 70th out of 120 and 10th in class out of 15 but most important i
really enjoyed it. The next day I was back co-driving for Tom potter in the Subaru. But it was a rally to forget! 5mile into ss1 and the
ECU packed up! So that was our rally over. Last rally of June and it was back to home turf and Mid-summer Caerwent, I was back in
the R2 with Will Hill again, we finished 17th overall and 4th in class! Into July and back up To Epynt we go, this time for the Harry
flatters rally, this was a trouble free rally and our times was up there with the top 10 we would eventually finish in a great 13th
overall and 1st in class.
Carfax stages was the next for me and Tom potter. After ss5 we was lying 2nd overall and in a great battle. But the inevitable
happened! Gearbox problems again, and it was another dnf for us! Back to Epynt for the Mewla with Rick we had Another great run
over Epynt. We would also pick up Maximum points for the championship with a fine 23rd overall and 1st in class. My next rally
would be the Woodpecker stages on gravel with the young up and coming talent Josh Cornwell in a fiesta R2 who is only 17, this
would be the 1st time I sat with josh and it was apparent from our ss1 time that it would be a quick rally! After ss1 we were joint
1st in class and 30th overall out of 140 cars. By the end of the day we finished 36th overall and 2nd in class, a great run considering
it was josh's 1st time competing in the UK. Back to the famous Caerwent again with Rick Finishing the rally 25th overall and 1st in
class despite a last stage scare with the car cutting out and power steering not working. But with one round of the championship
we was in with a great chance of picking up 1st overall, all we had to do was finish! So last round of the championship we knew all
we had to do was finish to win the championship. The rally was held at Donnington race track, after mid day we was lying 11th
overall and mixing our times with 4wheel drive cars and wrc cars. But most importantly still Going and was still on to win the
championship! Going into the last stage and our pace would stay the same if not get quicker and we would move into the top 10, so
one stage left and if we finished i would win the championship. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 goo and straight off the line a drive shaft snapped,
disaster I thought! But We were still going round, praying we could just get to the finish but miraculously we got round. We
dropped to 13th overall and still come 1st in class.
November is a quiet month for me competing but i would be going to the wales rally GB to do my timing equipment duties with Ted
Davies. Getting up at 3 every morning and not back till 8 at night is hard work but what a week it is! To work with the wrc is a nice
way to end the year. Now There was only one event left now and that was Rockingham stages. With Will hill in the fiesta R2 still
looking to gain some experience and get to the finish, minus hitting a tyre wall along way! . We finished 25th overall and 3rd in class
and also won the team award with Richard bliss.
So that was my 2015 rally season in a whole! Went from bad to a amazing from a massive crash to winning 2 championships, thanks
to everyone who made it such a good one, 1st of all would like to thank my sponsors mum, dad ( even nan now from time to time )
who pays a lot for my rallying and helps me out! Would like to thank my Dad and Kea Hinde too, for putting up with getting up at 4
o'clock almost every weekend for most of the year and being there to support me all last year. thank you! Would like to thank
Neil Fuller
Just two events for me this year as a co-driver. In March I had my usual invite to co-drive on the TAC Rally
in Belgium. This year Dave Kedward had decided to take his S3 Audi Quattro. I was happy in that I was in a
Quattrro which offered considerably more space than the Peugeot 205T16 that I was in last year.
The event was held on the second week of April. The recce
was on the Friday when we were allowed two passes of each
stage. Luckily the stages were similar to last year and we
were able to re-jig the notes from 2014. Sadly the local Police
were out and we were stopped and fined thirty nine euros for
speeding on stage one of the recce.
The car is stunning and when you ride in it you can see why
Audi were able to win so many rallies. Dave has had the car detuned to 480bhp to make it more reliable.
It can run at 700bhp but this is at a cost!! The rally started well with no problems, but as the event
progressed I felt increasingly ill. (for those of you that do not know me, I am never ill in a car). The
constant forward and backward motion from the acceleration and braking was taking its toll. A quiet rest
in service seemed to settle my stomach and we successfully finished the event.
My second event this year was the Rockingham stages. This was with Dave Jennings in his new MK2
Escort. Again another car built by Bob and Simon Dowen. This one uses all the new suspension tricks and
drive train modifications. We entered the two day event and were going well until the last night stage. A
small change in the engine note indicated that we had a problem. Rather than do any further damage we
retired from the event and adjourned to the bar.
The rally proved to be a good test as the car had only run at Llandow the week before. So the engine will
be out and repaired and we should see more of Dave out on the stages in 2016.
I was also lucky to go to San Marino in Italy in October for Rally Legends with Robert Whitehouse and his
Lancia 037. This time servicing as the car is looked after by Bob Dowen. A quick 1200 mile drive saw us
arrive on the Wednesday. Beautiful weather for the recce, scrutineering and Friday stages was quickly
replaced by a wet weekend for the remainder of the event.
The car ran well and finished the event, although misting windows were a problem. Thank goodness for
Rain-ex. The drive home with the van and Race Shuttle was equally as testing as the climb through the
Alps and Mont Blanc Tunnel certainly tested the cooling
fans
on the van.
My MSA and stewarding duties increased considerably in 2015. A quick count indicated that I had spent
just over three months away from home in hotel rooms throughout the year. The MSA officials seminars
which I helped deliver involved sixteen hotels, nine flights and just under three thousand miles of driving.
This year looks to be the same. As you read this, I have just come back from Finland where I attended an
FIA World Rally Cross seminar and FIA Awards Ceremony. I have also been asked to represent the UK as
the ASN Steward at the Lydden Hill round of the 2016 World Rally Cross Championship in May.
So 2016 looks like it is going to be equally as busy as 2015. Sadly not that much time for competing
though.
The rally proved to be a good test as the car had only run at Llandow the week before. So the engine will
be out and repaired and we should see more of Dave out on the stages in 2016.
I was also lucky to go to San Marino in Italy in October for Rally Legends with Robert Whitehouse and his
Lancia 037. This time servicing as the car is looked after by Bob Dowen. A quick 1200 mile drive saw us
arrive on the Wednesday. Beautiful weather for the recce, scrutineering and Friday stages was quickly
replaced by a wet weekend for the remainder of the event.
The car ran well and finished the event, although misting windows were a problem. Thank goodness for
Rain-ex. The drive home with the van and Race Shuttle was equally as testing as the climb through the
Alps and Mont Blanc Tunnel certainly tested the cooling fans on the van.
My MSA and stewarding duties increased considerably in 2015. A quick count indicated that I had spent
just over three months away from home in hotel rooms throughout the year. The MSA officials seminars
which I helped deliver involved sixteen hotels, nine flights and just under three thousand miles of driving.
This year looks to be the same. As you read this, I have just come back from Finland where I attended an
FIA World Rally Cross seminar and FIA Awards Ceremony. I have also been asked to represent the UK as
the ASN Steward at the Lydden Hill round of the 2016 World Rally Cross Championship in May.
So 2016 looks like it is going to be equally as busy as 2015. Sadly not that much time for competing
though.
Karen Phelps -My Year in brief!
With the ever increasing cost in rallying my 2015 year objective was to focus on the BTRDA Gravel
Championship, together with the MSA English, sitting alongside Tony Williams in his MK2 Escort.
Obviously there were some single venues I would just HAVE to do. J That is my intention for 2016 as
well.
After ending an appalling 2014 season by creating a massive hole in the engine, the 2015 season did not
start as planned as the car wasn’t ready in time. With Wyedean being the first round of the
Championships, and my local event, I took a seat with a Newbie Gravel driver, Danny, his first event and
first time on notes ! After several stages he admitted (afterwards) he began to understand what the
notes I was calling meant. Unfortunately on stage 6 we lost all water from the radiator and cooked the
engine. 2015 wasn’t starting as I wanted. 2nd Round the Escort was ready and I travelled to the Lake
District with Tony Williams to compete on Malcolm Wilson, the “new” engine block wasn’t what we
expected and the engine failed. Another rebuild required. Do I give up rallying now?
We continued the season though very disheartened. Round 3 Somerset Stages. Neither of us enjoy this
event but we had no choice but to do it if we were going to continue with the Championship. It turned
out to be a good result, 3rd in class. Plains Rally, we never enjoy; Carlisle stages – we don’t discuss; Nicky
Grist Stages, we are just glad to get through every year; Trackrod, not only loved the event and stages
despite the long drive turned out to be our best event of the season and probably the point we (Tony &
myself) knew we had back what we had lost after our big off in 2013. Cambrian, we ended the season
on a roll! Despite barrel rolling the car on stage 7 we finished not only that stage but the next two and
the event. How I will never know. The car looked sick but ran still, however the damage meant it was
an end to the MSA English Championship. Tony’s comment to me in the car, once we came to a stop
yet still in the ditch:- “you okay? That’s Tempest entry screwed” - My thoughts as well. L However by
finishing Cambrian it did manage to secure 1st in class B11 for both of us in the BTRDA Championship.
The select few Single Venues I did I enjoyed as much as usual:My cars/seats consisted of my “usual” suspects Nigel Smith (MK2) for two Down Ampney events and
Mini Epynt and Tony Rendell (MK1) for two Caerwents and Regency. How I love my escorts J
I also had the unexpected invite to sit in with Ian Sutton in the Darrian for Down Ampney, this was a
great day. Despite never sitting together before we got on well (well I thought so!) and had a brilliant
day and a good result for our first time together and just as a “test”. I tried various ways of entering and
exiting the car and still never did it the same way twice and none were ladylike! I was also glad it was a
dry day as sometimes I exited on all fours! If he ever needs a Navigator again…….
If I wasn’t competing I would do my best to marshal, not only was it the way I started in rallying and
taught by club members, it’s my of giving my bit back to the sport. I always prefer to do controls, purely
so I can give abuse to fellow competitors. Without marshals we (competitors) wouldn’t be able to play.
I may not be a local or attend club nights but I owed a great deal to Forresters Car Club and will always
consider them as my club.
Karen Phelps
Martin Evans + Dan Saunders
This would be mine and Martin’s second year together (sounds like a love story) so we planned to do a fair
few events involving the Forresters Rally Challenge and King of Epynt.
During the winter break the car went under a complete revamp and design, which now looked the part as
well as the unique sound.
Our first event Tour of Caerwent, this was flat out from the start As we had to try and keep up with the
growing number of Darrian’s in our class. This was probably one of the best performances we have had,
going into the last stage lying 5th overall and 2nd in class. We dropped 2 places on the last stage due to
4wd coming back at us so we finished 7th overall and 2nd in class. A week later we travelled to Down
Ampney where Martin has never been, a few scrutineering problems like lights and helmet out of date
saw that virtually going out on the first stage with slicks. Not a great idea when its very wet and slippery
and after the first stage we were lying in the 30’s somewhere. As it dried out we got quicker and quicker
which we ended up setting top 3 stage times on the last two. We clawed back the time to finish 9th overall
and 1st in class. In all fairness it was a great end to what was a very sideways day with some great class
battles, and I believe Martin loved the place! Big thanks to Kelvin Saunders and Jack Evans for keeping us
in the rally!
Mini Epynt was next, another very wet day in tricky conditions which we have both never been over Epynt
in the wet before. Martin drove the first stage like it was dry, seeded at 28 we were lying 8th after the first
stage. This being the only time I said to Martin slow down!!. Stage 2 we dropped a few places after scaring
the Sh#t out of each other. No alternator for the afternoon didn't slow us down we got back up to 8th
overall and 2nd in class at the end of play. Big thanks to Benny and Leigh Woodington for braving the cold
and wet up there that day.
Back to Caerwent with big grins for the Mid– Summer Caerwent, after 2 stages we were lying 7th overall
and 1st in class by 13 seconds. It all went out the window when we snapped a steering arm on stage 3
losing minutes, big thanks to Dai Morgan who almost mated his Darrian into us as we got stuck on one
junction. Never the less that’s rallying we got to the finish lying 31st overall and 10th in class.
The Harry Flatters was next, another rally we both really enjoy. Yet again awful conditions in the rain. The
rally didn't start well for us as off the trailer both starter motor and front heated screen packed in. Not
being able to see for the first two stages didn't help got knows where we was on the result. But Martin
and the car both kept going. A quick trick with some fairy liquid cured the misting up problem. We battled
on and finished 26th overall and 6th in class.
Next up Throckmorton, both not been here before, and neither was we for very long. Only about a mile
into the first stage something went pop. That was that end of rally.
Later on after diagnosis this would also be end of season as a valve picked a fight with the camshaft.
So 2016 more rallying planned for us both :) and a new engine manufacture! Hope the crisp sound is still
there though! And time for some championships next year.
Martin finished the King of Epynt 2nd in class and 1st overall in Forresters stage rally challenge. While
myself got 3rd in King of Epynt and 2nd Overall in Forresters stage rally challenge.
Huge thanks to marshals, organisers, the service crew team!! Benny, Leigh Woodington, Kelvin Saunders
and Jack Evans!!!
Kevin Haven (Rod Haven & Sam Collier)
Well I didn’t know what sort of year 2015 was going be for myself, but it turned out to have 5 events
and was a very enjoyable year.
The first event was March’s Tour of Caerwent where me and my dad (Rod Haven) brought the historic
spec RS2000 out from its winter hibernation. Starting 34th and running in the modern 8 valve class, we
were trading time for first and second in class. We kept finding quick Honda v-tecs that were seeded
behind us wanting to come pass at not very convenient parts of the stage! Not wanting to hold anyone
up, we had a lockup and stall letting one pass at Faulty Towers. Even with a push on the last stage and
pulling back some of the time, 4 seconds was the final gap meaning we had to settle for second in class
and 31st overall.
At the end of May I had a busy weekend getting two events in. First up was the Severn Valley stages
with Club member Sam Collier in his Pinto powered MK1 Escort. It had been three years since Sam’s last
event, but that wasn’t going to stop the committed driving. We also had company from Sam’s friend
and fellow Club member Darryl Hook in his Capri (Pinto) and Tom Wood sitting in the silly seat. The rally
was set out as two loops of 4 stages. We had to be mindful that we didn’t have a chase car for any
emergency service or fuel. We built up our confidence with the car and our first time on a set of Pirelli
tyres and got up 4th in class, out of the 9 still running by stage 5. Then at the start of stage 6 (Crychan),
we had a very fast spin into a bend but escaped undamaged. We then went off on the very next corner,
again undamaged but Sam was felt the backend was loose and that maybe we had a puncture so we
slowed down through that stage. There didn’t appear to be any problems looking at the car at the end
of the stage, but the time was already lost. The following stage (7) was the second run through halfway
which was really committed and we had our best stage time taking 3 rd fastest in the class. Fuel pump
issues on the final stage brought us back to the finish in 5 th in class and 20th overall in the moderns.
The next day my dad and I did the Mini Epynt stages. This was Rod’s first time on Eypnt since the demise
of the previous Escort on the ranges. The weather was really changeable as there were some heavy
downpours throughout the day. Running in an historic class, the main competition was a man from
Hereford in another historic Pinto Escort. We were faster by a good few seconds each stage, so as long
as we didn’t have any trouble we were ok for the class victory. We were pleased to finish Rod’s first
time with the new car up on the ranges, lying first in class and 39 th overall.
After the trip up on the ranges, dad and I thought we would do the Carfax Stages at Throckmorton
Airfield. It was in August on one of the hottest days of the year (the day England won the Ashes thanks
to Stuart Broad 8-15). We completed the first stage but on the second stage the head gasket decided to
give up to damage, and created a scene which was described as Ivor the engine coming down the line.
Retirement was our only option. The head gasket seemed to have slipped on installation, so being a very
hot day it said goodbye.
After finishing the Severn Valley back at the end of May, Sam and myself thought we would have a go at
the Woodpecker on the 5th September. Sam, Darryl Hook and I trekked up to Ludlow Racecourse and
after scrutineering and some food we had our night’s budget accommodation boked- Sam in the tent,
Darryl in his bongo camper and me managing to get a double airbed to fit in the back of a Fiesta (it can be
done)!
Starting car 133, six stages lay ahead. Bringewood was first up which was very slippery and we had a
lockup on one of the tarmac hairpins and then a half spin on another which meant we were only 127
quickest through a short stage 1. Across the road and into Haye Park for stage 2 which was over 8¾ miles
long, everything was flowing really well until about half way through. Going along a quick section that
came down to a tight right hand corner probably about 5-10mph too quick, we scrubbed off some of the
speed (but we think the left rear tyre might have popped off the rim and dug in), over we went in a slow
roll on some ferns. No damage to the roof but some of the wing had a few dents. After being pushed
back on our wheels and pulled out, we had to change that rear tyre. We got stage maximum for that
stage and luckily got back to service. Sam and Darryl had to change a steering rack but despite their
efforts we were about 5 minutes OTL. We checked out and went to go and do Radnor. Long drive out to
stage 3, 11½miles of Radnor went well and we even caught two cars in the stage to get a 92nd quickest
time. We had a look at the car before stage 4 but the engine was losing too much oil through the cam
seal, so Sam decided to call it a day.
Geno Cook
well that's the 2015 season done and dusted and what a dusty one it was.
At the beginning of the year i bought the M Sport Fiesta and decided to put it to the test at Pembrey for
Ralli Cwm Gwendraeth with Daniel Robinson sat along side me on his very first rally ( and his last after
sitting with me) . Apart from putting the car on 2 wheels all day and hitting a post we had to retire on
stage 3.
The Fiesta then done its first forest event of the year Wyedean where the silly seat was taken by Ryan
Jones aka Sheep where we had a fantastic run with no faults and took 1st in class.
I then decided to do another tarmac event which was Caerwent where I was joined by Dave Goodman
who was on it with the maps. Unfortunately for us the day was cut short just after stage 2 where the
wheel came off. We did have a good time after the rally by going to the pub drinking until kick out..
Yet again another disappointing day at Somerset for me and sheep as we clipped a haybayle which
caused us to slow roll and flip on it it's side at the flying finish which we had a bit of damage to repair
whilst 8 seconds off the class lead.
final event of the year we took to the Plains rally and had Forresters very own Kelvin join us on the
spanners and eating Ice Cream. What a way to finish the year with another 1st in class, considering the
amount of filler dust lingering in the car from our mishap at Somerset.
2016. -- bought a new car Peugeot 205 GTI. Not sure how many rallies we will be doing this season, first
rally of the season is Redkite with entry already in.
Geno
Tom Murphy
2015 saw me compete in the BTRDA Gravel championship; starting and ending the year with rally ending
rolls. The Malcolm Wilson ended for me and Ryan Sainty on the second stage where we were caught out
by a slippy tightening 90 Left. Over the bank we went and ended up going over once landing on a tree
stump and damaging the car enough to cause our retirement. From then on in the season I sat in with
Andy Davison in his brand new build Sunbeam VXR. This was a very quick car once all the teething issues
were sorted and we were finally rewarded on the Cambrian by being moved up the seeding to start 45th
on the road. However again in SS2 we managed to get caught out by a fast right over crest and rolled
multiple times down the road end over end. Rally over and sadly the end of the road for that she'll too.
Steve Perez and Paul Spooner also were caught out by the same bend on the second running of the stage.
I picked up 2nd in B11 at the end of the year thanks also to sitting in with Paul Street on the Nicky Grist
Stages in his ex Gareth James BDA Mk2.
As well as the BTRDA I managed to compete on a few single venues. Some highlights included guiding
Hugo Carey round Caerwent on his first stage event going very sideways at times even with the vicious
curbs lurking. Also setting 4th fastest time in a road rally Proton round Twyford was some ride too.
To finish the year I competed in my first road rally picking up first Novice and 11th overall, probably the
result I'm most proud of this year. Plans for next year include doing the BTRDA again with Andy in a
rebuilt Sunbeam and also the HRCR Mini Cup with Stuart Hart who I competed with at Down Ampney
earlier this year also.
Kelvin Saunders
Yet another busy year servicing and revamping Darrian with Ian Sutton. Bit of Marshalling plus organising
with Charity events Newtown Motors Motorsport Evening with Howard Davies from Go Motorsport and
Phil Collins, a big thank you to all who helped to make a great night. Cwmbran Shopping Collection which
was a big success all round. Helping organise three Caerwent Rallies which we all enjoy. A big thank you
to all those helping towards the Awards Evening.
Shirley Saunders
Thanks to you all for all your help to make Forresters Car Club the best around. The year started with
organising the Charity, Wales Air Ambulance. Collections on the three Caerwent Rallies, Cwmbran
Shopping Collection and once again thank you to Newtown Motors Motorsport Evening. Everyone who
went to the Rally show seemed to have had a great day, thanks to David Morgan for supplying the bus. I
have enjoyed being Entry Secretary on all three events with plenty of banter from the competitors on the
events, who know they get just as much back from me. Also for putting on this awards evening without
you there wanted be one.
History FCC Awards
Winners
Competitor of the Year
Newcomer of the Year
1977 Jack Black
1978 Roffy Edwards & Paul Thomas
1979 Paul Thomas
1980 Bob Griffiths
1981 Bob Griffiths
1982 Bob Griffiths & Paul Marshall
1983 Ken Simmonds
1985 Paul Spooner
1986 Eddy Powell& Paul Spooner
1987 Paul Spooner
1988 Paul Spooner
1989 Paul Spooner
1990 Paul Spooner
1991 Paul Spooner
1992 Kelvin Saunders
1993 Roger Holder
1994 Ray Theobald
1995 Chris Harden & Heather Harden
1996 Paul Chapman & Stuart Powell
1997 Mark Saunders & Kelvin Saunders
1998 Stuart Powell
1999 Chris Harden
2000 Chris Tooze & Jo Tooze
2001 Stuart Clarke
2002 Stuart Clarke
2003 John Walker
2004 Kevin Haven
2005 Rachel Brockington
2006 Rachel Brockington
2007 Andy Murphy
2008 Paul, Dave & Mike Goodman
2009 Stuart Powell
2010 Jamie Vaughan
2011 Jamie Vaughan
2012 Jamie Vaughan
2013 Andy Murphy
2014 Jamie Vaughan
1980 Stuart Clarke
1981 Dave Costin
1982 Dave Bishop
1983 Eddie Powell
1984 Nigel Edwards
1985 Simon Head
1986 Dave Moseley
1987 Kevin Hill and Dave Hill
1988 Chris Lowe
1990 Sean Edwards
1991 Nigel Thomas
1993 C Williams & Dave Llewellyn
1994 Howard Cartwright & Hugh Austwick
1995 Justin Wells & Gareth Young
1996 Paul Williams & Nick Issac
1997 Nigel Harden
1998 Kevin Haven
1999 Mike Bennett
2000 John Walker
2001 Malcolm Hoskins
2002 Ian Williams
2003 James Owen
2004 Steve Mace & Keith Llewellyn
2005 Paul Fife
2006 Andy Murphy
2007 Ray Gooding
2008 Tom Wood
2009 Nathan Long
2010 Jamie Vaughan
2011 Lewis Davies & Josh Mosley
2012 Jonathan Hodges
2013 Dave Ruck
2014 Kea Hinde & Tom Murphy
Clubman of the Year (Person on the Committee)
1974 Stewart Pinney
1977 Sue Lewis
1978 Dave Lewis
1979 Mike Taylor
1982 Mike Taylor
1983 Mike Taylor
1984 Mike Taylor
1985 Wayne Cartwright
1986 Wayne Cartwright
1987 Wayne Cartwright
1988 Dave Price
1989 Dave Price
1990 Stuart Clarke
1991 Dave Price
1992 Dave Price
1993 Dave Price
1994 Shirley Saunders
1995 Richard Laking
1996 Shirley Saunders
1997 Dave Price
1998 Mike Taylor
1999 John Bird
2000 Heather Harden
2001 Heather Harden
2002 Neil Fuller & John Bird
2003 Richard Shorey
2004 Chris Tooze
2005 Helen Campling
2006 Richard Lomax
2007 Jon Lougher
2008 Richard Lomax
2009 Richard Lomax
2010 Mike Taylor
2011 Jon Lougher
2012 Kevin Haven
2013 Jamie Vaughan
2014 Dan Saunders
Driver of the Year
Co-Driver of the Year
1974 Adrian Lloyd
1975 Adrian Lloyd
1976 Adrian Lloyd
1977 Roffy Edwards
1978 Roffy Edwards
1987 Eddy Powell & Dave Bishop
1988 Mark Saunders
1989 Stuart Clarke
1990 Dave Bishop
1991 Chris Love
1992 Mark Saunders
1993 Howard Probert
1994 Sean Edwards
1995 Paul Chapman
1996 Hugh Austwick
1997 Paul Williams
1998 Howard Cartwright
1999 Alun ‘Lofty’ Thompson
2000 Rod Haven
2001 Chris Tooze
2002 John Walker
2003 Ian Sutton
2004 Ian Sutton
2005 Gareth Nutt
2006 Chris Tooze
2007 Andy Fox
2008 Ian Sutton
2009 Stuart Clarke
2010 Ian Sutton
2011 Richard Merriman
2012 Richard Merriman
2013 Richard Bliss & Richard Merriman
2014 David Morgan
1974 Mike Taylor
1975 Mike Taylor
1976 Mike Taylor
1977 Mike Taylor
1978 Mike Taylor
1982 Steve Bardsley
1983 Kenny Simmonds
1984 Paul Spooner
1985 Steve Bardsley
1986 Stuart Powell
1987 Steve Bardsley
1988 Dave Jones
1989 Dave Jones
1990 Mark Collins
1991 Roger Holder
1992 Roger Holder
1993 Kelvin Davies
1994 Tina Powell
1995 Stuart Powell
1996 Wayne Cartwright
1997 Linda Craske
1998 Nigel Thomas
1999 Stuart Powell
2000 Stuart Powell
2001 Jo Tooze
2002 Stuart Powell
2003 Kevin Haven
2004 Rachel Brockington
2005 Kevin Haven
2006 Jo Tooze
2007 Daniel Saunders
2008 Heather Watkins
2009 Andy Murphy
2010 Heather Watkins & Andy Murphy
2011 Kath Curzon
2012 Kath Curzon
2013 Jamie Vaughan & Kath Curzon
2014 Richard Suter
Car Club Champion
1990 Paul Spooner
1991 Mark Collins
1992 Kelvin Saunders
1993 Wayne Cartwright
1994 Dave Price
1995 Dave Price
1996 Wayne Cartwright
1997 Wayne Cartwright
1998 Wayne Cartwright
1999 Chris Harden
2000 Wayne Cartwright
2001 Wayne Cartwright
2002 Heather Watkins
2003 Steve Brockington
2004 Rachel Brockington
2005 Steve Andrews
2006 Rachel Brockington
2007 Andy Murphy
2008 Mike Taylor
2009 Richard Lomax
2010 Jamie Vaughan
2011 Jamie Vaughan
2012 Jamie Vaughan
2013 Kelvyn Davies
2014 Jamie Vaughan
Committee Award (Person Outside the Committee)
1986 Kevin Snelling
1987 Dave Price & Cath Price
1988 Dave Price & Cath Price
1989 Cath Price
1990 Cath Price
1991 Kelvin Saunders
1992 Shirley Saunders
1993 Paul Chapman & Richard Laking
1994 Howard Evans
1995 Alun ‘Lofty’ Thompson
1996 Linden Cox
1997 Fiona Rollings
1998 John Bird & Shirley Saunders
1999 John Nutt
2000 Kevin Haven
2001 Rod Haven & Alun ‘Lofty’ Thompson
2002 Shirley Saunders & Alun ‘Lofty’ Thompson
2003 Rachel Brockington & Steve Brockington
2004 Jo Tooze & Shirley Saunders
2005 Richard Lomax
2006 Shirley Saunders & Jon Lougher
2007 Kelvyn Davies
2008 Shirley Saunders
2009 Jon Lougher
2010 Shirley Saunders
2011 Alex Simmons
2012 Richard Shorey
2013 Andy Campling
2014 Andy Campling & Shirley Saunders
Club Marshall of the Year
2004 Richard Lomax
2005 Steve Andrews
2006 Steve Andrews
2007 Steve Andrews
2008 Steve Andrews
2009 Richard Lomax
2010 Tom Wood
2011 Richard Lomax
2012 Jamie Vaughan
2013 Emma Lewis
2014 Steve Mace
Best Non-Competing Member
2003 Andy Murphy
2004 Alex Simmons
2005 Dave Price
2006 Neil Fuller
2007 Steve Andrews
2008 Richard Whitefoot
2009 Kelvyn Davies
2010 Richard Whitefoot
2011 Steve Mace
2012 Dave Moseley
2013 Dave Price
2014 Cameron Probert