Contenders for both the 2009 Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship and Richard Egger Insurance BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series meet on this opening round, the Fix Auto Swansea Tour of Epynt on Sunday 22^nd February. Last season’s Championships were held in a very friendly and highly competitive atmosphere with neither title being claimed until the last moment. We can only hope that a similar situation is created as the new season unfolds. 

The Fix Auto Swansea Tour of Epynt sees competitors facing over 80 miles of special stages on the Epynt Military Ranges in the Brecon Beacons and, in deference to their 2008 victory, the first car away from the start will be the Darrian T90 GTR of John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones. The speed of this two-wheel drive car, especially if it is dry, must not be underestimated and another victory is a strong possibility. 

Port Talbot Motor Club Ltd has attracted a new Sponsor in the leading UK  body repair venture “Fix Auto”, along with an excellent entry of 85 cars and, amongst them, there is a plethora of driver/car combinations that are also perfectly capable of winning an event at this level. Melvyn Evans (Subaru Impreza WRC), co-driven on this occasion by Gareth Roberts, only appeared on one round of the MSA Asphalt Championship last year, the Manx National – and won it outright! 

Defending MSA Asphalt Champions, David Kynaston/Andy Russell, return in their Audi A3 Quattro  a maximum points score on the JPR Tour of Epynt last year setting them on their way to the title. Steve Simpson (Hyundai Accent WRC) won the event in controversial circumstances in 2007 but, nevertheless, went on to take the title that year. A subdued day on Epynt this time last year saw Steve and co-driver Patrick Walsh return to the finish in Llandovery in 12^th place but, by mid-season, he was leading the charge again.

A late entry from David Mann sees him seeded fifth in the Hyundai Accent WRC, and a third Hyundai WRC in the hands of Damian Cole starts at No.6. The former multiple Welsh Tarmac Champion is a proven winner on Epynt and his co-driver, Martin Henry, knows his way around as well!  Other Championship interest in the Top 10 comes from the two MG Metro 6R4s of Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt & John Stone Lee Carter. Both crews are contesting the Blackpool-based North West Stages Rally on Saturday and face a hectic time transferring from one venue to the other. 

A newcomer to the MSA Asphalt Championship this year, Washington James’ Darrian T90 GTR had had considerable success in Ireland in the last twelve months, including an outright win on the Cork ‘20’ National Rally, rounding off the top ten. 

Spectators are welcomed on the Fix Auto Swansea Tour of Epynt, although they are asked to access the rally ONLY via the ‘Dual Carriageway’ from the A40 at Llywel. A charge of £10 per car will be levied and proceeds will go to charity.

The first car leaves the start at 9.00am on Sunday 22^nd February and arrives back at the finish in Llandovery at 4.45pm