HEREFORDSHIRE Motor Club has reinstated The Welsh Marches Rally, which is being held on Sunday over the roads of the military Epynt ranges, near Brecon.

The rally, last held in 2004, dates back to the 1960s, when the club organised this as a Welsh Championship road rally, continuing through until the 1980s.

Between 1990 to 2004, the title became infamous for the event held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells.

Attracting a full entry of 75 competing rally cars, the event is aimed at the Clubman competitor in the sport, yet has attracted some top names, too. A challenging, compact route of 45 stages miles is on offer over eight stages.

The club’s ex-chairman, Graham Powell, who is the proprietor of Herefordshire Raceway, will sponsor the event and act as Clerk of the Course – a role Graham has undertaken on three events held at Builth Wells.

“We would welcome club members old and new to come along,” said Powell. “It would be fantastic to see some of the people who have made the club what it is today.”

There are three previous winners, all club members, entered.

Leading the field away at Car 1, is Ian Evans being the last winner of the event.

Leominster Car Auction’s proprietor Theo Bengry is driving his historic category Opel Ascona 400, navigated by Les Forsbrook.

Meanwhile, fresh from an international win on the Welsh Rally a few weeks ago, Ray Horton and Ian Meakin will be keen to repeat their success in the Darrian T90.

There are several local crews competing too including Jon Ballinger and Mark Kinsey (Opel Manta), Darren and Sue Underwood (Nova), Clive Mapp and Kevin Pugh (Escort Mk1), Phil Skipp and Glyn Skipp (Astra), Lynsey and Robbie Hansford (Escort Mk 2), Steve Wilks and Dave Mapp (Escort Mk 2), Pete Lewis and S Cardell (Anglia), JJ Stanley and Ryan Price (Escort Mk 2), Mark Alderton and James Young (Escort Mk 2) and Chris Coe (Peugeot 205).

Course car duties are taken care of by brothers Mark and Richard Lively along with 12 times National Tarmac Champion, local crew John and Caroline Price in their recently restored Renault 5 Maxi Turbo2.

Spectator facilities are provided at Dixie’s Crossroads on the Epynt ranges, with the action starting at 9.30am and continuing throughout the day.

However, if you want to get involved, marshals are required and the club would welcome former members and anyone interested.

“You don’t have to have marshalling experience,” said Mark Lively. “Just plenty of enthusiasm, as guidance will be given on the day of what is expected”.

Access to the venue is from the A40 at Llywel, near Trecastle, west of Brecon.

Anyone wanting to get involved should contact Mark Lively on 07890 777684 or Gerald Watkins on 07855 716526, or via the club’s website www.herefordshiremotorclub. co.uk