Report
This was the second running of our single venue Targa Rally at Anglesey Circuit, with very welcome support this year from Cefni Garage.
Entries opened just over four weeks before the event and over fifty entries were received during the first evening. With the initial maximum entry declared to be sixty cars, the organisers set about reviewing the time schedule with a view to accommodating a few more competitors. An application to Motorsport UK to increase the maximum to seventy was successful, although it would mean a very early start to scrutineering and a long day of competition. There was eventually a full entry with four reserves on standby for any cancellations.
It was very wet for setting-up on the Saturday, but after early rain on Sunday, by dawn it was dry and the sun came out to make a for a good day for the proceedings. Scrutineering and signing-on opened at 6.00 am but was fairly quiet for the first hour and a half, leading to quite a rush up to closing time at 9.00 am. Perhaps next time crews will have to be given time slots for reporting.
One car failed to pass scrutiny and the first reserve was on hand to benefit. From the off, competition was very intense and close with a lot of very impressive and entertaining driving. Ten tests had been set out for completion prior to the lunch break and at that point the Ford Escort of Rich Williams and Daniel Jones had the lead by just two seconds from the Toyota Corolla of Iwan Roberts/Sion Williams. Third, a further 26 seconds behind and leading the Novice class, were Tomos Thomas/Andrew Campbell in a Ford Fiesta with the Citroen Saxo of last year’s winners, Endaf Jones/Heddwyn Jones, a second behind in fourth. Two more novices were fifth and sixth, both five seconds off fourth – respectively Peredur Davies/Tomi Williams (Mazda MX5) and Carey Lindley/Iolo Hughes (Ford Fiesta).
Six further tests were laid out for the afternoon, with tests 15 and 16 being much longer than any of the previous fourteen and could alter the whole complexion of the results. As it happened, Roberts/Williams took the lead from Williams/Jones on Test 13 and with another significant gain on Test 15 finished the event with an eight second advantage. Endaf Jones/Heddwyn Jones gained a place to finish third; winning the Semi Expert class and 15th overall were Mici Lloyd Jones/Iwan Thomas (Honda Civic Type R) and top of the Novice class were Thomas/Campbell (6tho/a) ahead of Lindley/Hughes by just three seconds. Some added penalties on Test 12 and an excursion on the final test cost Davies/Williams about six minutes and dropped them right down from what could have been a top ten finish.
Sincere congratulations to Iwan and Sion on their win and to all the award winners. Several novices finished well up in the results and there were only eight retirements over the whole day. Full results can be found through the links below.
Many congratulations also go to Joint Clerks of the Course Will Hughes and Jamie Jones and their fellow organisers, plus helpers on the day, for all their hard work in putting on an excellent event that drew very complimentary comments from competitors and spectators alike. Particular thanks go to all the marshals for carrying out their duties throughout what was a mostly sunny, but quite a cool day.
We are grateful to Islwyn Jones of Islwyn's Motorsport Photography for permission to reproduce his photographs (see slideshow above and gallery button below.
Results in car number order are available here: 2019 Targa Results Car Order
Results in position order: 2019 Targa Results Position Order
Details of penalties - Part 1: Cefni Garage Targa Penalties 1
Details of penalties - Part 2: Cefni Garage Targa Penalties 2
AWARD WINNERS
First overall: Car 5 – Iwan Roberts / Sion Williams, Toyota Corolla; 47 minutes 55 seconds.
First Expert: Car 2 – Richard Williams / Daniel Jones, Ford Escort; 48m 03s (2ndoverall).
Second Expert: Car 1 – Endaf Jones / Heddwyn Jones, Citroen Saxo; 48m 28s (3rdo/a).
Third Expert: Car 6 – Dewi Jones / Ceri Hicks, Peugeot 205; 48m 54s (4tho/a).
First Semi Expert: Car 17 – Mici Lloyd Jones / Iwan Thomas, Honda Civic Type R; 50m 46s (15th o/a).
Second Semi Expert: Car 20 – Richard Jones / David Hillidge, Nissan Micra; 51m 12s (18tho/a).
Third Semi Expert: Car 18 – Andy Sheard / Tommy Pinnington, Peugeot 106; 51m 18s (19tho/a).
First Novice: Car 40 – Tomos Thomas / Andrew Campbell, Ford Fiesta; 49m 07s (6tho/a).
Second Novice: Car 25 – Carey Lindley / Iolo Hughes, Ford Fiesta; 49m 10s (7tho/a).
Third Novice: Car 54 – Iwan Jones / Gwynedd Jones, Ford Ka; 49m 45s (9th o/a).
Best 1400cc and under: Car 3 – Alistair Dodd / Tara Lee Hardman, Nissan Micra; 49m 05s (5tho/a).
Best Family Crew: Car 10 – Sion Hardy / Elis Hardy, Mazda MX5; 49m 38s (8tho/a).
Spirit of the Rally Award: Car 38 – Meirion Gadd / Ffion Alaw Parry, Ford Ka; 55m 16s (41sto/a).
Bulletin
Competitors will be aware that we have received a fantastic response to this year’s event, with the maximum entry exceeded very quickly indeed. On Friday, 27th September, we notified the first 60 paid entries of the Cefni Garage Targa Rally that we have been in contact with Motorsport UK and the Route Liaison Officer (RLO) for North Wales to increase the number of starting crews from 60 to 70. We also stated that we intended to advise the first ten paid up reserves on Sunday, 29th September, that they would be confirmed as starters on the event.
We have notified the said reserve entries via email, that they will be moved on to the unseeded list of entries.
Furthermore, following the Motorsport UK authorisation process for the event, we have been advised that the event runs under road rally regulations, therefore please note the following:
A. Please note that the North Wales Police and North Wales RLO requirement is for all competing cars to be fitted with tyres that carry a valid “E” mark.
B. Tyres must comply with current Motorsport UK Yearbook (Blue Book) specifications as follows:
General Regulation L3.2. - For all Road, Navigation, Targa Road and Historic Road Rallies tyres are free subject to the following; a) tyres on the current FIA List of Asphalt Eligible Tyres are permitted; including sizes not homologated. b) Tyres on List 1B (from 2020) and List 1C are not permitted other than the Avon CR28, the Avon CR6ZZ and the Pirelli P7 Corsa Classic, for pre 1/10/90 registered cars, and the Yokohama AO21-R (manufactured before 01/11/14); c) Tyres marked for "competition use" are not permitted with the exception of tyres on List 6 and 3.2a).
The rule changes to those published in the 2019 Blue Book were issued by Motorsport UK in January 2019 and can be viewed here: MSUK Rule Changes
C. A maximum of six wheels/tyres are allowed per competing car; four fitted to the car and a maximum of two spares securely fitted in or on the car. All vehicles must carry a minimum of one spare wheel. Any vehicle that experiences a puncture must pull over in a safe place and replace the wheel before completing any test.
................................................................................................................ Jamie Jones & Will Hughes, Joint Clerks of Course
Information
Caernarvonshire and Anglesey Motor Club Ltd is pleased to announce the running its second single venue Targa Rally in North Wales and to welcome the support of Cefni Garage, Llangefni.
The event will again be based at Trac Môn / Anglesey Circuit, Ty Croes, Ynys Mon, LL63 5TF
Total event mileage will be approximately 25 miles, 20 of which will be competitive on metalled and unmetalled roads, with numerous tests. The event involves driving tests held entirely at Trac Môn/Anglesey Circuit and timed to 30mph with short neutral sections linking up each test.
The entry fee includes full colour printed maps, road book and meal vouchers for both crew members.
Please note, spectators will be allowed at Trac Môn/Anglesey Circuit. However, safety measures require that all spectators will be directed to the designated spectator areas, NO SPECTATORS will be allowed on the track.
Due to the nature of the event, we will need a lot of marshals, so we are enforcing the ‘No Marshal, No Start’ rule for every competing crew..
Documents and Entries
Seeded Entry List now available here: Entry List
Final Instruction to competitors available here: Cefni Garage Targa Finals
Supplementary Regulations available here - Cefni Garage Targa Rally 2019 SRs
Access to the online entry form is here - Cefni Garage Targa Rally entry form
Paid-up entries received to date - Unseeded list of entries
