Bowler Motors Triumph at the Conwy Cambrian Rally

• Bowler Motors Defender Rally cars completed the 6 gruelling gravel stages at the Cambrian Rally
• Only 6 seconds separating the top 2 finishers in the Defender class
• The Defenders demonstrated great pace against a highly competitive field
• Great strength of the cars meant very little repairs needed to be done in the service 
• Great camaraderie within the team and high spirits throughout the event
• Driver progression clear to see with the Defender class contenders fiercely competing for event position
• Bowler continuation training benefitted the Defender Rally Series driver teams
• One round remaining in the Defender Rally Series 2023 with final top placings still to be decided

The Conwy Cambrian Rally consisted of 6 special stages across the North Wales region. For the first time in 6 years, the crews were using the Clocaenog forest complex since the installation of a windfarm meaning the road network and character of the stage were new to all competitors – the ultimate level playing field. The remaining stages consisted of classic Welsh forest roads around the picturesque Llyn Elsi and around the reservoir at Brenig, a real challenge for the drivers and navigators.

The Defender Rally Series team put on a great show at the Conwy Cambrian rally; a popular, challenging event with a field of experienced drivers. The Defender driver teams were pushing on hard to gain critical points in the championship, as the Defender Rally Series approaches the end for 2023.  The thrill of high-speed rallying in the Clocaenog & Elsi Forests was a real spectacle.

With all the Defender drivers vying for these final points, it was equally matched with the camaraderie of the team.

Bowler’s recent progression training at Walters Arena served to enhance the driver capabilities to intensify the competition. This included Works Driver Vanessa Ruck, who came away from the training day with a new style of driving and pace notes, which took her to another level in her racing at Cambrian.

The racing isn’t just about speed and strategy; it’s about pushing boundaries, forming lasting connections and experiencing amazing landscapes, whilst becoming the best driver and codriver that you can be. Joining the field for Cambrian, gaining valuable seat time ready for his 2024 competition series, was Ed Williams, brother of Miles.

Straight out of the blocks, Miles Williams and Dave Beecroft were vying for top honours. Miles was initially leading the field in the first stages of the racing in the morning, with Dave chasing him down in 3^rd position. Dave overtook and claimed 1^st position for the latter half of the racing, with Miles hot on his tracks throughout the last stages.

After a hard day’s racing over 6 stages, Dave Beecroft and Fraser Parish took the win, followed by Miles Williams and Andy Dennis after only 6 seconds – an astonishingly close finish.

Dave Marsh, Head of Motorsport, commented on this close finish, “This one-make style of racing really means that every second counts to the competitors, which means everyone in the championship is in with a chance of taking top honours.”

Also notable was Paul White and Pete Wilson, who were initially running in 7^th place in the Defender class for the first stages, and climbed up the leaderboard to finish the racing in 3^rd place.

In addition, Vanessa Ruck has now completed her 6^th UK rally, enabling her to upgrade to a National Competition Licence. This important step in her progression means she will now be eligible to compete in overseas events, where the distance and endurance will increase. She is now one of the many Bowler trained drivers who have benefitted from this race programme. Driver progression is fundamental to Bowler, with the right driver coaches on hand to take drivers from whatever experience level they have, all the way through to strong contender and upgrading of licences to continue progression overseas.

With the final round of the season to be at the Scottish borders hill rally, the Defender driver teams are looking ahead to a fantastic finale of the season and the championship winner announcement will be due in early December.

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