Rallying: Stokes starts season in style (From Gazette Series)

David Stokes triumphs at Rally Marketing Mid Wales

10:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in Gloucestershire Sport

DURSLEY-BASED driver David Stokes got his Mintex British Historic Rally Championship campaign off to an excellent start with a comfortable victory in the opening round, writes Paul Willetts.

The Rally Marketing Mid Wales offered 55 miles of the finest forestry roads in Welsh rallying.

The Draycott Bakeries/Ashmores backed Escort RS1600 looked pristine after its winter rebuild.

Cold, icy conditions greeted crews for opening nine mile Pikes Peak test.

After a cautious approach to the opening stage, Stokes found himself trailing rival Richard Hill by three seconds.

He then stopped the clocks a second quicker than Hill on the ten miler in Myherin.

Next was the marathon 16 mile Hafren North test, where Hill retired with oil pressure problems.

That left Stokes with a huge lead which he consolidated over the final two tests to arrive back in Newtown victorious by nearly four minutes, despite throttle problems on both stages three and four which caused a few worries.

Stokes and co-driver Guy Weaver also took maximum points in the Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Championship.

The next round of the series stays in Mid-Wales for Rally North Wales in Welshpool on April 6 and 7.