Rhondda Cynon Taf in gearing up for the race of its life as the British 4×4 Off Road Championships take place on home-soil this weekend (14th and 15th May).
The national competition is set to be held in the County Borough’s very own 4×4 Centre in Brynffynnon, Llanwynno for the first time. The race will speed off on Saturday 14th at 10am and end at 4pm and start at 9am until 3pm on Sunday 15th.
With between 40 and 60 competitors taking place and some very special racers tipped to be taking part, this weekend is set to be a something very special for racing enthusiasts. There is even a chance that some major TV companies are set to cover this stage of the championship.
The venue has never been used for national motorsport before and the landowner and championship organisers have arranged a difficult course made up of farm tracks, moorland roads, pasture land and off-road sections which will test the drivers and their machines to the limit.
An exciting round 1 at Myherin forest near Aberystwyth saw 2010 champion Tim Dilworth kick off his title defence in style as he and navigator Anthony Brinkman took victory in their Peugeot 206 STi. Richard Kershaw returned to the championship to take second place in his GSR 206 Evo 9 with Justin and Louise Birchall rounding off the top three after two days of competition.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Councillor Robert Bevan, said: “The fact that the Britpart MSA British Cross Country Championship (BCCC) organisers have decided to host the second stage of the championship in Rhondda Cynon Taf is a major coup for local businesses, as the event is set to attract hundreds of visitors to the area.
“The additional number of visitors and advantages in terms of tourism will be a boost for businesses in the immediate and surrounding area of Llanwynno and also to the whole of Rhondda Cynon Taf. It is hoped that this new partnership will be continued and Rhondda Cynon Taf will become a regular venue for the competition.”
Ian Howells, Chairman of the Porth District Chamber of Trade and Project Manager of the event in Rhondda Cynon Taf, said: “I am delighted that the BCCC decided to host their event in our County Borough and indeed the Rhondda. I am also the President of South Wales Automobile and we have been using the site for competitions for many years and its great that the site has now been recognised nationally as a great place to race. The event is good news for businesses and residents in the area as it means our County Borough is being put on the map.
If you would like to enter the championship – it’s not too late, entries are still available for the BCCC and BCCC Trophy championships, entries are also welcome from anyone who wants to enter the Clubman event which costs £250 for the full weekend or £150 for one day. Please call Championship Secretary Lilian Turley on 01594 810161 or email [email protected] if you wish to enter the event.
If you are more of a spectator and enjoy the adrenaline from the side lines, cars cost £5 and visitors are requested to head to the event from the Ynysybwl entrance and follow the route indicated with the arrows. The final section of the entrance has been made into a one way system due to the narrow track we will be using – Sat Nat Code: CF37 3PH.
For further information visit www.marches4x4.com or call Phil Turley on 07831 406085.
