Report
Many thanks to Lee Matthews for this report on the March Hare Navigation Run organised by himself and son Sion.
The trend of full entries for our Navigation Runs continues and this edition saw a variety of vehicles assemble at David Hughes Sports Centre, Menai Bridge, although Ben & Callum were late as the car broke down on the way. Perhaps the issue was terminal as we never saw them again.
Sion had devised a seriously tricky 30-mile route this time, described by him as an 8/10 difficulty score, starting in the side-streets of Penmaenmawr. The trick was to pick the correct ones, as there are many. Kay & Duncan plotted quickest, but allowed Dion & Cory in the following Transit Van to get ahead when Duncan took a wrong slot straight away. Geraint & Cameron, despite living in the next village got Penmaenmawr completely wrong and missed most of the symbols. In fact, most crews confessed to heading down dead ends here, including Yvonne & John who squeezed the Micra down a back alley that only bins live in. There were lots of "Let’s try this road", and having to back-track.
From here it was up and over Sychnant Pass, where Sion watched them negotiate the car park triangle and record the symbol, before heading off to the second tricky section, Conwy, which included a trip through the council car park. Then many crews went through the walled-town arch along the harbour, although that was not the correct route! Dominic & Osian missed Conwy completely, perhaps to cut route as they were running a bit late.
The route then wound its way along the west side of the Conwy valley and all its terrific back roads, then a few NAM (Not As Map) triangles on the B road, before arriving at The Groes Inn. Three hours was given to complete this testing event, and whilst all the finishers arrived within time, some had to cut portions of the route to do so. Jamie & Natalie disappeared half way through the event.
Provisional results were declared at the finish which initially had a three-way tie for the win, but furthest cleanest allowed Dion & Cory to retain the bragging rights.
Sion collected the symbols immediately after the finish and found two of the 98 symbols had walked, so results to be declared final were re-done the following morning, scrubbing the two symbols for everyone, as they were there for the front runners, but not for those running perhaps 45 minutes later.
We wish to thank everyone for attending, the venue hosts for the start and finish, and I want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes, and that scrummy brownie and Ice cream with candle on top with Winnie, Yvonne and John singing Happy Birthday at the end.
Another fun night with friends. Well done all!
RESULTS
1. Dion Rowlands/Cory Thomas; Ford Transit Custom – 93.1 points
2. Kay Littler/Duncan Littler; Skoda - 93
3. Jill Clarke/Paul Clarke; Nissan Qashqai – 92
4. Yvonne Matthews/John Evans; Nissan Micra - 87
5. David Hanks/Bethan Jones; Skoda – 85
6. Kyle Jones/Jacob Bolton; Ford Fiesta - 84
7. Winnie Chen/Iwan Evans; - VW Golf - 82
8. Lee Threadgold/Sion Jones; Peugeot RCZ - 73
9. Dominic Stephenson/Osian Griffiths; Mitsubishi L200 - 71.1
10. Geraint Jones/Cameron Hazelgrove; Suzuki Swift - 71
DNF. Jamie Williams/Natalie Davies; Vauxhall Astra.
DNF. Ben Jones/Callum Jones; VW Caddy.
Maximum possible score - 96 points.
Many thanks to the Groes Inn Hotel for the use of their facilities.
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 seventh Navigation Run of the season, organised by Sion 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
