Melvyn Evans / Gareth Roberts (Subaru Impreza S11) took a comfortable victory on the Fix Auto Swansea Tour of Epynt, the first round of the 2009 Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship.

The Subaru Impreza WRC driver set the pace from the outset winning the event by 1min 43.7sec from the Darrian T90 GTR of Jon Dalton / Gwynfor Jones.

Defending MSA Asphalt Champions, David Kynaston and Andy Russell (Audi A3 Quattro) took the last step on the podium another 30 seconds adrift of the Darrian crew.

Fourth went to the ever improving Damian Cole / Martin Henry (Hyundai Accent WRC) with Simon Mauger / Brian Cammack’s World Rally Car embarrassing Ford Escort MkII in 5th overall.

6th overall went to former Gravel Champion David Mann / Alun Cook (Subaru Impreza WRC) with seventh going to the busy Stephen Simpson / Patrick Walsh who the day before was contesting the North West Stages.

Mark Jasper / Don Whyatt one of the two-car team of MG Metro 6R4s prepared by Legend Motorsport finished in a creditable 8th. Christopher Jones / Richard Williams (Ford Focus STI 4WD) & Rob Tout / Dan Holley (Mitsubishi Evo 9) roundin out the top ten.

Results

1   Melvyn Evans      Gareth Roberts      Subaru Impreza WRC     1:07:47.7    
2   John Dalton         Gwynfor Jones      Darrian T90 GTR             1:09:31.4  
3   David Kynaston    Andy Russell       Audi A3 Quattro               1:10:01.7
4   Damian Cole       Martin Henry         Hyundai Accent WRC       1:10:05.2
5   Simon Mauger      Brian Cammack  Ford Escort Mk2               1:11:12.7

Report by James Redman