Report

Many thanks to Lee Matthews for organising the event and for writing this report.
Plummeting temperatures added to the excitement as ten crews attempted C&A Motor Club's short, yet very tricky event, with black ice covering much of the roads. It was particularly bad on the hills around Crymlyn near the start, and on the approaches to the Llandegai ford. The route was defined by map references, although most crews got caught out by "shortest routes" between points, and also wrong directions of approach and departs, especially at the multi-used crossroads. 
Eighty number-plate symbols were placed along the roadsides and an added festive fun element was a Passage Control in a garden, where crews were awarded bonus points for getting the marshal's signature, along with a selfie to include the Christmas lights and decorations adorning Stavros' house in Bethesda. The other bonus symbol was behind a post-box in Parc Menai, which most crews found.

Lee Threadgold/Sion Jones came out as victors, arriving inside the finish venue with just seconds to spare of the two and a half hours allowance to plot and complete the route, having cut out the final dash under the Menai Suspension Bridge where there were five symbols. Their only other error was miss-plotting a "shortest route" exiting the ford. They should have turned right and gone through Minffordd. Well done on winning a very tough navigation run.
Runner-up was Merfyn Williams/Iwan Jones in the Focus ST, who had timed their pace to perfection and having enough time to record the final symbols under the bridge before a dash into the Anglesey Arms Hotel. They had lost the initiative earlier when they missed the Rachub loop and then, like so many others, miss-plotted the impossible hairpin slot area in Tregarth.
In third spot, and despite finding more symbols than anyone else was Sion Matthews/Winnie Chen in the Astra rally car. After plotting the route they took a diversion to a local supermarket and wasted so much time shopping for travel sickness pills that they arrived late at the finish and were penalised 8 points, relegated from 1st to 3rd.
Jill and Paul Clarke missed out the Talybont loop that goes under the A55 flyover, whether by error or design, as this road is quite rough for a yellow road. They also missed the Park Menai industrial estate loop and the final Menai Bridge loop, probably keeping an eye on the clock as they arrived at the finish with only a couple of minutes to spare. In 5th place were Iwan Evans, Gabi Tsantanis and Catherine Thomas in the Focus ST, who were one of many to miss-plot the impossible hairpin in Tregarth. The Focus is also very low, so had to take extra care and time to negotiate the narrow and bumpy roads around that area, meaning despite cutting out the later parts of the route they were still over time
There was a tie on points for sixth position, with Geraint Jones and Cameron Hazelgrove benefitting by the furthest cleanest principle when Yvonne Matthews and John Evans slid the Micra past a code board on black ice early on, as they were more concerned with watching ahead, rather than the code board to their left. The Suzuki Swift crew went the wrong way in four of the tricky bits, Rachub, Tregarth, Minffordd and Park Menai. They did get the final five symbols in Menai Bridge which was impressive, but meant they were late running into the hgotel. Eve and John meanwhile chose to cut-route from Penrhyn Castle and go straight to the bonus post-box in Park Menai and pick the final bit of route. John said he just took too long plotting and second-guessing himself.

First-timers, Luci Gutteridge and Jacob Davey picked a difficult initiation to the art of map reading, so it was no surprise they missed a number of loops out, and then the Mini duo had to cut and run to the finish where they arrived before everyone. Keep at it! Most runs are much easier than this one and blame Lee for making it so hard.
In ninth place were Sion Rowlands and Iwan Jones in the Fiesta ST. A couple of wrong plots with regard "shortest route", but mainly they ran out of time and cut out the end bit, including the 10-point bonus post box symbol. Rounding off the ten crews wee newcomers Colin Evans and Tracey Gardner in the Triumph 2000 who found the Bethesda area particularly challenging to plot, and unfortunately missed Stavros' Xmas bonus bonanza.

A challenging, tough, yet memorable and fun event was the conclusion as Christmas chocs were bestowed upon the winners, Lee Threadgold and Sion Jones. Lots of stories were swapped and a great club atmosphere was soaked up.
Special thanks to Stavros and his family for standing out in the cold to welcome us, Duncan for helping and for the photos, Elis in the opening car, Dafydd and Sion for helping with signing-on, David Hughes Sports Hall for such a great start venue, and finally Anglesey Arms Hotel where it all ended. I promise to make the next one easier. 
Lee.

RESULTS

1. Lee Threadgold/Sion Jones; Peugeot RCZ - 101 points.
2. Merfyn Williams / Iwan Gwyn Jones; Ford Focus ST - 99
3. Sion Matthews / Winnie Chen; Vauxhall Astra – 94
4. Jill Clarke / Paul Clarke; Audi A4 – 93
5. Iwan Evans / Gabi Tsantanis / Catherine Thomas; Ford Focus ST - 82
6. Geraint Jones / Cameron Hazelgrove; Suzuki Swift Sport - 82
7. Yvonne Matthews / John Evans; Nissan Micra - 82
8. Lucy Gutteridge / Jacob Davey; Mini F56 - 64
9. Sion Rowlands / Iwan Fôn Jones; Ford Fiesta ST - 55
10. Colin Evans / Tracey Gardner; Triumph 2000 – 22points - 

Tie decider was furthest cleanest. Maximum possible score was 110 points, consisting of symbols (80); Xmas selfie (10); Passage Control (10); Post Box (10).

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Information

Navigation Runs are ideal for learning to plot a route and read a map, and provide good practice for anyone aspiring to compete in a road rally anytime soon.
This will be the fourth Navigation Run of the season, organised by Lee Matthews and team.

The start venue is the David Hughes Leisure Centre, Menai Bridge, LL59 5SS, at the rear of Ysgol David Hughes - Ordnance Survey map 115, reference 547 723. what3words location ///airbase.prayers.germinate.

You will require map 115 (Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa) plus the usual navigation aids of poti, romer, pen/pencil, etc. Sign on from 19.00 hours; route handouts from 19.00 hours.

Drivers and navigators need a valid club membership. Renew or join at Membership Application

Drivers and navigators also require a Motorsport UK competition licence of minimum grade RS Clubman. The RS Clubman licence is available free of charge at RS Clubman licence application