Among the Escorts, it will surely be the cars of David Stokes/Guy Weaver and Ernie Graham/Robin Kellard setting the pace. It has been a dire season so far for Stokes, the defending champion, with just one delayed finish to his tally from three starts. Graham, meanwhile, has three strong results under his belt and is currently top dog overall in category 2.
However, another very strong contender will return to the BHRC for the Mid Wales in the form of the Escort of Rupert Lomax/David Alcock. After a famous victory on the Pirelli Historic Rally, they missed the Severn Valley due to the clashing Rally Barbados, but they are now back and looking to go very well on home ground.
However, category 2 is not just about classes C4 and C5. The 2-litre C3 category regularly delivers some great battles, and it is brothers James and David Young who currently top the points after a great run on the Severn Valley. Their opposition is very tough and includes Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes and strong Welsh crews of Tim Jones/Don James and Neal James/Kevin Jones.
The class C2 entry marks the return to rallying of former class pacesetter John Worthing, partnered by John Cadwallader in his Escort Mk1. On his first rally of 2008, Worthing should start as favourite over stages he knows well, with Kevin Broadhurst/Andrew Turner leading the challenge.
Category 3
Category three is all about a gaggle of very quick Mk2 Escorts, all of them capable of challenging for victory. With two wins from three starts, Richard Hill and Patrick Cooper are the men to beat, but Darren Moon and John McNichol have been right on the pace despite a complete lack of prior knowledge of the Welsh stages. If gearbox problems are resolved in time, Moon will be flying.
So too, will be Martin McCormack on his return to the BHRC having missed two events while campaigning a Citroen C2 in the BRC. The last time all three crews competed together just seven seconds split them at the finish, so another mighty battle is likely.
