LLOYD SETS STELLANTIS CUP PACE BEFORE RETIREMENT
16 APRIL 2024 20:40
Ioan Lloyd and co-driver Sion Williams set a scorching pace on round two of the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup but unfortunately their winning speed went unrewarded.
Ioan was competing on Saturday's Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages in his Peugeot 208 Rally4 and was contesting the high profile one-make series which is aimed at the best young rally drivers from the UK and Ireland. The event opened with a busy Friday evening ceremonial start at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells to mark the 50th anniversary of the rally.
At the mid-point of the rally, Ioan and Sion led by 23 seconds after a mighty performance on the first loop of the Builth Wells-based rally. However, they were denied a second victory of the season when the Peugeot became beached after a minor moment on the fifth special stage of the day. Though undamaged, the car was stuck and could not be retrieved in time for them to carry on.
Despite the non-finish, the 21-year old from Llandysul says that there are many positives to take away from his first gravel rally since 2022. On a long and tough day, with ever-changing weather conditions, Ioan immediately took control of the category and was six seconds faster than everyone else on the opening special stage.
He then added another four seconds lead in the Tarenig stage and was 10 seconds faster than all his rivals on the long Hafren stage that ended the first half of the rally.
Unfortunately, on the short Sarnau stage, which was stage five of seven, a simple spin ended with the front wheels of the Peugeot just off the road. With insufficient spectators or marshals at the location, they were forced to retire the car.
Ioan said: “It was all looking good and I'm quite positive about the rally. It was my mistake and it was a simple spin. But it's one of those things. Our performance across the morning stages was very positive.”
He paid tribute to the support from his sponsors as well as Gordon Birtwistle from Proflex. “Gordon has been instrumental in helping me with suspension setup and I have to say a huge thanks to him for all his input, we instantly had a good feeling in the car,” said Ioan.
Despite the non-finish, Ioan and Sion are already looking ahead to the next event in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup, which takes crews back to Ireland in early May.
Ioan Lloyd is proud to be supported by West Wales Rally Spares, David Byrne Auto Repairs of Wexford, Abba Tree Specialist, Motordrive Seats, Towy Electrical Co Ltd, Atech Racing, Garej Tyn y Pistyll, Monit Motorsport, Mintex, the 2300 Club John Easson Award, Kielder WT, Safety Devices International, TRS Safety Harnesses, Bleddyn Thomas Contracting, Pro Dent, Rick’s Body Shop, Huw Jeffreys and Sons Plumbing and Heating Engineers and Neil Spain.
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