Llandudno’s Matt Edwards and Chesterfields Sam Collis claimed a well-earned third victory in five weeks on Saturdays Quinton Stages rally, piloting their ‘Swift Group’ backed and 586 Sport run MG ZR to a 20 second winning margin.

The duo dominated early proceedings on the Llandovery based event and had accrued an impressive 26 second lead after just three stages, which enabled them to guide the faultlessly perfoming machine through the afternoon tests to their third BTRDA series win of the year, just two weeks after their overall victory on the Mid-Wales Stages, continuing a remarkable run of form for the 25yr old Welshman.

With support also from Tradeaways, Fuchs, Racing-lines.com and Evoparts.org, this weekend would be a critical event in the season as a victory would see them lead the championship for the first time outright, having been tied on points with arch rival Darren Pinchen for most of the year. Despite camping in a tent the night before, the duo were still able to wake up quickly and take a full 20 seconds from their championship opposition on the first 11.5 mile stage, immediately giving the pair the upper hand after a fully committed attack.

Stage two would precede the service halt, but Edwards was keen to cement his lead and continued to push, taking a further 8 seconds in a 4.5 mile Crychan stage, leaving them with a 20 second category lead in the event, but more importantly 28 ahead of Pinchen. Routine maintenance would ensue, and also offer the competitors chance to reflect on their mornings work;

“We had a plan to push as hard as we could on the first stage as it was a long stage and gave the best opportunity to take time, as its hard to gauge the pace of the event early on and there’s no way of knowing how you’re doing” explained Edwards, as the 586 Sport team put the only two new tyres on for the remainder of the event.

  “For this afternoon now we just have to consolidate our lead over Darren and not get dragged into a battle with George Thomas who is also going well but not registered for points – the championship points is the priority for us today, as a win will mean we need to win only one of the remaining two events to win the championship”.

And that is exactly what the enthusiastic crew were able to do, managing to sustain their gap to Thomas but steadily increase the lead over Pinchen throughout the course of the afternoon, whilst managing tyre wear in the abrasive conditions. The eventual 20 second category winning margin; after a very slippery final stage which caught out several of the leading crews, secured Edwards and Collis a vital 30 points and a championship lead with just two events to go;

“We are obviously delighted to win the 1400 category here as it gives us the championship lead at a crucial time of the year, and to look at the overall position of 11th in the mix with the four wheel drive turbocharged cars really feels like a great achievement! The stages were great and the car even better, so all in all things went according to plan which is rare in rallying!!” told the jubilant Edwards at the finish in Llandovery

“Id specifically like to thank ‘The Swift Group’ for their support, without whom we would’nt be here fighting, and also Sam who does a great job; we have good trust in each other and the atmosphere in the car is great which means its both effective and enjoyable at the same time!”.

Edwards would also like to thank Tradeaways, 586 Sport, Fuchs, Racing-Lines.com, Evoparts.org, Pamaya.com, Rallytech.com, and all those who have donated to Spinal Research and the Welsh Air Ambulance ahead of his charity cycle ride, commencing in Holyhead on Monday.

More information on matt can be found at http://www.merallysport.com, with more information on ‘The Swift Group’ available at http://www.swiftgroup.co.uk. The Swift Group are Britain’s largest manufacturer of touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes. More information on Matt MG ZR can be found at http://www.586group.com.

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