A HOST of mid Wales crews headed north to take part in the Rally Revival event last weekend.

Rally Revival, took place in Wrexham on October 15 and 16, recreating memories of past RAC rally time controls and of course the years when the town hosted the Vauxhall Rally of Wales.

Friday saw crews based at the Ty Pawb in the centre of town from 3pm, which gave fans a chance to view the cars and meet the crews.

It was followed early evening start in Queens Square, where crews were flagged away before a gruelling evening of tests.

County Times: Mel Lewis From Middletown and co-driver Aled Jones Welshpool

Mel Lewis From Middletown and co-driver Aled Jones Welshpool. Picture by Ian Francis.

A long cold evening lay in store as crews tackled tests at Rednal near Oswestry before a road section over World’s End, where temperatures dropped to near freezing.

Saturday was a full days tour for the survivors with runs at many venues creating a feel very much like the traditional Sunday leg of the old RAC Rally.

The showcase venue was Weston Park where crews tackled three tests including the infamous watersplash.

Leading the field away was double British Rally Champion David Llewellyn back in a Celica GT4, three time British Champion co-driver Bryan Thomas.

County Times: Richard Gough and Jonny Evans from Newtown.

Richard Gough and Jonny Evans from Newtown. Picture by Ian Francis.

Also joining in but back to his driving days is 2003 World Rally Champion co-driver Phil Mills with his son taking over duties on maps.

Cars ranging from the humble Mini, through Ford Escorts and the mighty Lancia Stratos were represented right up to Lancia Delta (including an ex Miki Biasion car all the way from Switzerland for the event) and Subaru Impreza.

After a full day 72 crews returned to the finish outside Glyndwr University, before a dinner and prize giving at the Ramada Plaza.

County Times: Tegwyn Jones of Llandrinio and co-driver Rob Williams of Trewern.

Tegwyn Jones of Llandrinio and co-driver Rob Williams of Trewern. Picture by Ian Francis.

Bryn Pierce, event director, said: "We were delighted to welcome everyone to Rally Revival 2021 in association with Cooper Tires, the spirit Wrexham entered into was wonderful and the welcome from all is one we will all remember.

"After a successful 2020 event we didn’t think we could beat it but our new home in Wrexham did us proud. We hope to bring you even more new memories in the coming years’."