The Get Jerky Rally North Wales returned to Welshpool for the second year in a row as hundreds of drivers tackled tough stages on the nearby forests.
On Saturday, March 16, Welshpool Livestock Market played host to over 100 rally cars, becoming the hub for the event, with a ceremonial start at 7.30am and announcing the winners of the day at 6.30pm.
Sponsored once again by the Welshpool-based Get Jerky brand of beef jerky snacks, the popular gravel stage rally, organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club attracted a mix of first time rally competitors and experienced veterans of the sport.
Among the big winners of the day were the team of Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear, who took their fourth Rally North Wales win in a row on the day.
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Driver Matthew Hirst said: “The Rally North Wales is a classic event, one that I look forward to each year. Really classic stages and a challenging event today, the weather turned on us late in the afternoon.
“Great to have won it four times in a row and we’ll be back next year undoubtedly. It’s always nice to see what a boost it brings to the local economy. When you’re in a restaurant at night you can see that the waiters are happy for having extra people there.”
Daniel Mennell, who finished on the podium in the historic category on the stage, said: “We started off the day with a steady pace and gradually pushed a bit harder as we went into the afternoon. WE had some fall off at the front as the weather got worse but we pushed on.
“Welshpool is a brilliant area and it’s wonderful to see an event like this come to what’s usually a quitter part of Wales.”
The livestock market and Welshpool as a venue was praised not just by the drivers, but also the event organisers.
Eifion Jones, rally manager, said: “I think the day has gone very well. The facilities we have here at Welshpool have been fantastic for the event. We’re very appreciative of everything Welshpool Town Council has done for us.
“The drivers seem to be very pleased with the event as well, the stages become quite slippery and wet as the weather turned on us but that’s par for the course with rallying like this and a majority made it through.
“It’s our second successive year in Welshpool but we absolutely plan to come back again.”
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