THOMAS AND MACKAY STORM TO VICTORY IN ROUND TWO OF THE 2024 DEFENDER RALLY SERIES UK CHAMPIONSHIP

• Welsh challenge: Round two of the 2024 Defender Rally Series UK Championship took place at Rally Nuts, Wales, with the rally-ready Defender 90s conquering trying conditions
  
• Championship leaders: Mark Thomas and co-driver Phil Mackay now lead the UK standings, closely followed by Richard Kingsley-Smith and Adel Tyson, and Denis Ferry and Richard Mills
  
• Confidence building: Competitors got to grips with their specially prepared Defender 90s for the second time in 2024, following a tough first outing at Walters Arena in March
  
• Co-driver development: Point-to-point stages of Rally Nuts gave co-drivers their toughest challenge yet, navigating across the low-grip gravel surface
  
• Fifty years: Defender Rally Series joined Rally Nuts for its 50^th anniversary event, taking in the complex Myherin, Hafren and Sweet Lamb stages

Round two of the 2024 Defender Rally Series UK Championship took place over the weekend of 13-14 April, with Mark Thomas and co-driver Phil Mackay making it two wins from two so far this season.

Competitors reacquainted themselves with their specially prepared Defender 90s at Rally Nuts, Llandrindod Wells, in Wales – just a month after the first event at Walters Arena – in what was the 50^th anniversary event for Rally Nuts. Amongst a total Rally Nuts field of 180 entrants, following Thomas and Mackay home as the first Defender were Richard Kingsley-Smith and co-driver Adel Tyson in second position, closely followed by Nathan Burrell and Matt Kirby.

Driving across more than 60 miles of point-to-point gravel stages, the battle at the front of the field was close fought, with drivers relying far more heavily on their co-drivers than in the previous round of the Series. With changing conditions, ranging from bright sunshine to cloud and near-horizontal rain, Thomas, Kingsley-Smith and Burrell were all in the mix for the top spot, as was Denis Ferry and co-driver Richard Mills. With an overall event time of 1hr 4m 54.8s, however, Thomas emerged victorious with a 7.9-second advantage over Kingsley-Smith, and Burrell a further 12.5 seconds behind.

Mark Thomas, winner of round two, said: “To win twice in a row feels great and sets us up nicely for the rest of the year. The biggest difference between this and Walters Arena was that we’ve switched from racing in circuits and having a chance to learn the best lines of the stage, to heading out over an unknown course, demanding much more adaptability throughout the event. The ground has been challenging – the gravel here felt like we were racing over marbles! We chose to stay steady to begin with and progressively build the speed up, as advised by the Bowler team.”

The Defender Rally Series is now in its third year, with the largest field in its history. Drivers have joined the Series from broad spectrum of motorsport backgrounds and with a mix of driving abilities; some have previous track racing or rallying experience, others have no competition history at all.

Calum McKechnie, General Manager, Bowler Motors, said: “Our driver teams have demonstrated remarkable progress, racing over 60 miles of challenging terrain with precision and skill. Notably, co-drivers assumed a pivotal role, utilising full pace notes for the first time, enhancing the relationship and communication skills between them and the drivers. The Defender 90 handled the challenges well and with impressive speed. Builth Wells provided an idyllic backdrop for the event, with its picturesque landscapes enhancing the racing experience. It was a pleasure to have been a part of the Rally Nuts special anniversary event and we look forward to continued success in the racing ahead.”

Ashley Vaughan, Lead Event Technician, Bowler Motors, said: “Round two of the Series was a big success for our technical team. We introduced some new team members, who we identified through our pre-season training sessions, and their integration into the team was seamless. All eight of our competition vehicles completed the event, which is a real testament to their strength and integrity – especially considering the high overall rate of attrition for Rally Nuts competitors.

Thomas and Mackay lead the UK Championship, followed by Kingsley-Smith and Tyson, and Ferry and Mills. The next round of the UK Championship is the Summer Scottish Hill Rally from 31 May to 1 June, with round two of the European Baja Championship commencing with the Rallye Terres du Gatinais in France on 28 April.

For pricing and information and to register for the 2025 season, visit bowlermotors.com.

Defender Rally Series – UK Championship Round 2 Results

Defender Rally Series – Provisional* UK Championship Standings

*Championship standings are provisional. One point is awarded for event entry, plus 60 points for 1^st, 54 points for 2^nd, 48 points for 3^rd, 46 points for 4^th, minus two points per position thereafter.

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