COMPETITORS tackle the fourth round of the 2013 Pirelli MSA Welsh Stage Rally Champion- ship, the Severn Valley Stages, today.
The Builth Wells-based event uses a number of forest stages that have featured prominently on Wales Rally GB in recent years.
The championship is currently led by Rhuddlan driver Luke Francis and his co-driver John H Roberts from Colwyn Bay, despite a 10th-place finish on the previous round, the Plains Rally, after a stray tree branch switched off the external safety cut-off switch on their Mitsubishi Evo.
Their closest rival, Keith Parry from Llangefni, will be keen to narrow the gap in the points standings, while top seed Connor McCloskey will be looking to make his trip over from Ireland worthwhile by adding to the maximum points tally he claimed on the opening round of the championship, the Wyedean Rally.
Strong
Another not to be discounted from a strong performance will be Alex Allingham, running in the Group N category for near showroom specification cars, while Brecon's Sara Williams will want to build on the outright win she took on the recent Port Talbot MC Swansea Bay Rally.
The event is also a round of the In Car Services Welsh Clubman's Two Wheel Drive Forest Rally Series, while a strong entry of historic cars will be battling for points in both the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship and the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship.
Cars were leaving rally HQ at the Royal Welsh Showground from 9am this morning, and are scheduled to start returning from 3.10pm onwards.
In between, spectators can see them in action twice on the Crychan stage, with the first run starting at 9.46am.
Parking is £10 per car and the stage should only be approached from the A483 at Cynghordy, seven miles south of Llanwrtyd Wells.
Spectators should not attempt to go through Tirabad or attempt to access the stage via the Epynt military ranges, where live firing exercises will be taking place, along with a large military presence.
If your interest is more circuit racing-based, then head for the Pembrey Motorsports Centre where the 750 Motor Club are running a two-day meeting at the Llanelli race circuit.
Qualifying got under way at 9am, with racing starting at 1.45pm this afternoon.
Events include the 750MC 750 Trophy Series, the Sport Specials Championship, Formula Vee Championship, 750MC Roadsports Cars that have a 45-minute battle, the Demon Tweeks/Yokohama Classic Stock Hatch Championship race, the AB Performance RGB Championship, Demon Tweeks/Yokohama Locost Championship for Group B and C cars, and another round of the Demon Tweeks/Yokohama Stock Hatch Championship, which closes the Saturday racing.
Tomorrow, qualifying again begins at 9am, with racing from 10.15am.
The Toyota MR2 Championship is first on track for practice, followed by Premier Choice Group 750 Formula Championship cars.
The Demon Tweeks/ Yokohama Locost Championship Group C and A machines race next up, along with a second race for 750 Trophy Series contenders and 750MC Formula Vee Championship runners.
More action includes the Toyota MR2 Championship and Premier Choice Group 750 Formula Championship before the lunch break.
Racing resumes at around 1.30pm with the 750MC Sport Specials Championship, followed by more appearances by the Demon Tweeks/Yokohama Classic Stock Hatch Championship, AB Performance RGB Championship, Demon Tweeks/Yokohama Stock Hatch Championship, and the DT/Yokohama Locost Championship — this time for the Group A versus Group B cars.
The day's racing is completed by a further round of the Toyota MR2 Championship and Premier Choice Group 750 Formula Championship.
Admission is £12 per day, with accompanied children admitted free.
ROGER GALE