I’ve been rallying since I was 17 yrs old, 33 now and started off with a standard RS2000. When I started rallying you could buy part worn slicks for £10 a tyre! After the RS, I bought a Grp 1 Escort Mk II which I used for a couple of years, but then took a year out after my brother passed away. I built a RWD Mk III escort with a Vauxhall engine, which was a cracking car and I got some good results with it. Things were moving on and cars were getting quicker all the time, so I wanted something with more power. I sold that car and built a Grp 4 Escort Mk II with a full hit 275bhp Vauxhall Engine, 5speed box, well I thought it was a full hit! I used that car for 2 yrs and sold it on to build my pride & joy.
I built a brand new Mk II Escort, which cost £72000 to build. The spec was superb, running a 2.5 Duratec Engine, 6 speed Dogbox, 15” wheels, power steering (getting on now see!). That was a proper car and was built by me and my dad. I had some very good results in that car, but it was always in the back of my mind if I rolled the car or binned it big time I would be gutted, so I sold that car as well! I was gutted when the car was sold, but was not going to build another car to that spec for the time being as it took a lot of graft to build that one. So I had a chat with my dad and decided to have a go at 4wd, life goes on, so move on. I am now the proud owner of a Prodrive Subaru N11 plus, which is a Grp A car and that is a serious bit of kit. Watch this space for the results in that car.
As well as my full time job, I run my own rally car preparation company, Ellisport (website link), and am sponsoring the Ellisport Longcross stages on May 10th 2009, run by Craven Motor Club.
John Hughes
(P.T.M.C. President)
As I recall, I became a member of P.T.M.C. around 1962/63.
In my early years I started marshalling on road rallies before becoming a competitor driving a standard Sprite then an M.G. Midget, in local and Motoring News events. Following this I became a very average navigator competing in road rallies and half a dozen or so Welsh International Rallies with various local drivers. I was Secretary of the Red Dragon Rally during its early days and then I ‘ Clerked the Course’ for two locally based road rallies called ‘The Gwendraeth’ in 1969 and 1970.
During my years as a member of P.T.M.C. I have held the posts of Membership Secretary, General Secretary, Vice-Chairman, Chairman and finally President. One of my proudest nights was to receive, on behalf of the Club, the R.A.C.M.S.A. Bradstock Insurance Motor Club of the Year Award at the R.A.C. in Pall Mall, London.
I am an avid Formula One enthusiast missing only two British Grand Prix meetings since 1969! I am also a keen supporter of Swansea City Football Club. In recent years I have returned to marshalling on road rallies, a duty that has always been close to my heart.
Brent Oatway
(Club Secretary)
¼ of Team Mafia!!
Here I am with my much loved, 1998 Terzo, about to pick up a wedding party for one of the members of PTMC!
I joined Port Talbot Motor Club in 1997 having always had an interest in all kinds of motor sport. I, along with three others, soon got involved with marshalling on events and that’s really when the trouble started! We always went together, usually in Colin’s car and usually arrived on time but not always!! One such occasion had us arriving on junction at Pembrey rather later than intended and as we all jumped out of the car together, someone was heard to exclaim, “Christ! The Mafia have arrived!!” and the name has stuck ever since!
Throughout the 12 years or so I’ve been a member, I have held a number of posts within the Club. Committee member, on and off, and also Club Chief Marshal.
On our events I have been Chief Marshal, Joint Chief Marshal, Safety Officer and on the up coming Swansea Bay Rally I’ll be the Event Secretary ( I was plied with drink when that one came up!! But I didn’t really mind, I enjoy being involved.)
For the last year or so I’ve been the secretary of Port Talbot Motor Club. Having taken on the role at a time when the club was going through one of those times that all clubs go through, especially one that has been around for over 40 years.
My aim is simple. Port Talbot Motor Club is there for people who have an interest in rallying and in motor sport in general , to come along and enjoy time with like minded people. I’m here to help those people to enjoy PTMC as much as possible.
It’s a Club and a hobby and should be enjoyed as such by all its members. So I’ll see you at Tonna RFC on Thursday night at around 8.30pm. Cheers, Brent.
Simon Anthony
I first became involved in motor sport in 1997 by marshaling, it wasn’t long before I was roped in to helping out on the equipment vans, as part of the stage set up crews.
My first event as a co-driver was in 2001 with Gwilym Owen at Pembrey in the Sunbeam, not a good start to my rallying career with a roll on the opening stages. My wife thought I was out marshaling for the day so the quote of the day was "Nobody tell the wife and has anybody got a mars bar, and put that camera away!!"
In 2002 I did the Welsh Clubman Tarmac Championship with Gwilym, notable results were:
Pembrey 1st in class 10th overall
The Harry Flatters 3rd in class
The Tour Of Caerwent 4th overall (with TIMO in the Imprezza)
By the end of the season I had finished 2nd in class in the Welsh Clubmans Tarmac Championship.
2003 was a poor year with to many retirements with different drivers from the club, so I took the opportunity to finish the season off sitting next to Christian Howells from Penclawdd, achieving a few good class awards, the season was not lost after all.
2004 Gwilym and I competed on the Epynt events together picking up a 1st in class on THE TOUR OF EPYNT. A couple of class wins also with Christian in 2004.
I decided to brave it in the woods with John Evans to do a couple of forest events, namely the Red Kite finishing 2nd in class & then the Red Dragon, which ended in a spectacular role on SS3 Pellena.
2005 season John and I did "THE WELSH" forest rally collecting yet another 1st in class award, sitting in with Micah Morris on the Swansea Bay Rally proved to be entertaining to say the least, it was all I could do to keep young new rally star under control and on the road! So it was a relief to finish 3rd in class.
2006, Micah and I entered THE WELSH CLUBMAN’S FOREST CHAMPIONSHIP, only having done local forest events with John and Micah in the past it was a massive learning curve for us, as the majority of events, were new to us. However it turned out to be great season for Micah and I with myself winning B10 Class Co-driver award and 2nd Overall co-driver missing out on top spot by 2 points.
2007 season …… next edition.
Micah Morris
Micah Morris one of our junior club members, first became involved in motor sport by helping out on the clubs events as a marshal, he then became involved with the stage set up crews and continues to support the event officials.
His enthusiasm grew such that he went on to build his own Peugeot 309 stage rally car. Micah started rallying as a driver in 2003, his first event being a rather flooded Pembrey race circuit co-driven by Simon Anthony unfortunately ending in retirement due to an electrical fault on his pug.
His first forest event was the Red Dragon Rally. Considering it was the first time in the trees, a good result finishing an impressive 111th out of 177 starters.
Unfortunately, the Swansea Bay Rally was to see yet another retirement for the up and coming young star. However, Micah managed to take the “Port Talbot Motor Club’s” Best Clubman award at the end of the season.
In 2004 it was straight back into the forestry on the Red Kite Stages with a new co-driver on board Thomas Henderson.
Sponsorship lacking and funds tight, Micah opted for the role of “0” car on his home event the Red Dragon 2004, his co-driver for the day was none other that Anthony (Blobby) Stoneman.
It was to be another twelve months before the pug was to see the light of day again, although many man hours, and lots of hard cash later, in a bid to increase his chances. Sadly it wasn’t to be, with yet another retirement on the Dragon of 2005 (electrical once more!)
In 2006 Micah attempted the Welsh Forest Clubman’s Championship, earning well-deserved class awards in the early part of the season, and also giving the spectators something to talk about with his rather flamboyant style of driving. By mid season he picked up the Joe Neiman award for being the first registered club member, to finish on the Red Dragon.
On a roll, and continuing to bring home the class awards for the remainder of the season, also winning the Welsh Under 25 Drivers Championship Award, 1st B10 Drivers Award and 3rd Overall in the Drivers Championship.
A very impressive 2006, watch this space !!!!
Gwilym Owen
I became a member of Port Talbot Motor Club back in 1977.
I can't remember a time that I wasn't interested in motorsport.
As boy (a very long time ago) I would watch scrambling, rallycross, racing, basically anything with a motor.
In 1977 a friend said he was going to build a rallycar. I offered to help, and
as soon as the car was built I automatically took on the role of navigator.
Our first rally was a road rally, The Autumn Rally organised by Carmarthen MC.
We didn't set the rally world alight that night,---------WE ( I ) GOT LOST ! !
We practiced in 1978 , and in 1979 came second in the PTMC championship,
to Jeff Kitney and Allan McCann.
In 1983 I bought my own rally car, a Talbot Sunbeam ti, and over the years I have built it into a tarmac stage car, and have since lost count of how many events I have competed on, some of my memorable results are listed below.
1990 Videomart stages 3rd i/c
1992 Holfeld pumps 1st i/c
1993 Holfeld pumps 3rd i/c
1994 Virgo rally 2nd i/c
1995 Rali Cwm Gwendraeth 1st i/c
2002 Rali Cwm Gwendraeth 1st i/c
2004 Tour of Epynt 1st i/c
2004 Harry Flatters 3rd i/c
PTMC Club Championship :---
1979 2nd o/a
1990 2nd o/a
1991 1st o/a
1993 1st o/a
1994 3rd o/a
1995 2nd o/a
2002 2nd o/a
Thank you to all the club members, who have supplied us with the information to compile this section. The information herin is based upon the individual’s interpretation of the facts, Port Talbot Motor Club Ltd does not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies in the statements submitted on this page. Club Members wishing to be included in this section should forward their details to the Secretary.
