Kings of Epynt
Saturday 24th January, 2026
Expanding on last years successful show at the Market Hall this year the club concentrated on local cars that have starred on events over the Epynt Ranges.
Once again local rally competitors Craig Jones of CMJ Motors and Josh Jones of J & P Engineering supported the show not only as headline sponsors but by bringing along their own rally cars. Craig's Mitsubishi Evo was owned and driven by the late Tony McWhirter whose family were happy to sell it on to Craig and see it out again with Tony’s son Jez looking after its on event servicing. Josh however, used the expertise of his own workshop to self-prepare his Peugeot 2lt, 16 valve 205 which even though has completed several rallies is still far from the finished article.
Local crew of Dai “Block” and Glyn Jones celebrated their newly announced retirement by giving us the opportunity to paw over their unmistakable yellow BMW 325, Glyn was quick to explain that it’s competed in over a hundred rallies with little more than an oil change.
Colin Evans also brought along his Honda S2000 powered BMW Compact demonstrating what can be achieved by true clubmen teams. With these relatively standard cars both collected awards at the recent WAMC Awards Evening.
Everyone has to start somewhere and it was great to see the relatively standard 1300cc Nissan Micra of young local lad Joseph Palmer having recently recorded a podium place on the Showground Stages. Father Wayne being no slouch in his day, either but now admits that Joeseph probably wants a bit more power!
Also flying the flag for Brecon were the Williams family of father Jonathan and daughter Sara with Sara’s Subaru Impreza and Jonathans beautifully restored Austin Maestro Challenge car. The 1986 Maestro was built by Austin Rover and was the last works car to compete on the Lombard RAC. Jonathan ran the car until 1992 and sold it on but was fortunate enough to buy it back in 2019 where it has received a full restoration.
The Prodrive built Subaru has been owned by Sara since 2010 giving her first outright win on the 2013 Swansea Bay with Aled Davies quickly followed by the Red Kite in the same year with Dai Roberts.
Bridgend resident and Brecon MC member, John Morgan proudly displayed part of his collection bringing along three cars that have all been driven in anger over the ranges.
The fuel injected, Cosworth BDG powered, former Jersey built Anglia drew great interest with this car having picked up a “pot” every time it’s been used.
The Westfield SE1 based hill climb car sporting a Vauxhall Red Top, 295 bhp, flat shift sequential ‘box machine gave John to quote it as “the scariest car I’ve ever had!” His trilogy of motors was completed with the Escort RS 1800 rally car built to full British Historic Rally specification and boasts 270 bhp but near twice the weight of both the Anglia and Westfield.
Ron Mounsey was pleased to show off his hill climb machine in the guise of a Caterham variant. The Lotus 7/Westfield/Caterham range of vehicles proving that Colin Chapmans “gentleman’s race car” of the 1960s is still difficult to beat. Rons particular variant boasting a 2.4lt full race Ford Duratec engine developing over 300 bhp and a little over 500 kgs in weight!
Hill climb vehicles were well represented with 1997 British Champion Roger Moran bringing his current Skoda Fabia and BMC President, Brain Dennis’ super lightweight Mini. Brian’s car proudly holding the record for the fastest Mini at both Prescott and Shelsley Walsh driven by Brian and son Tim.
Another motorsport family and Brecon MC members who generously provided one of their impressive collection were father and son Iain and Jason Pritchard of North Road Garage, Builth with the stunning ex works MK 2 Escort formerly driven by Louise Aitken-Walker.
Former WRC champion co-driver and Abergavenny resident Nicky Grist was not to be outdone by bringing along the ex-works, Juha Kankkunen liveried Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD for the rallying mad Brecon public to admire. This particular car was built by TTE for Carlos Sainz to compete the 1992 Rally Australia then the following year used by Didier Auriol in Rally Sweden. When questioned on why this particular model Nicky reminded us that he’d won his first WRC rally in Argentina in 1993 in a Celica!
Now in separate private ownerships but both kept in original condition it was great to see two cars previously championed by the late John Price, his Renault 5 GT Turbo and MG Metro 6R4 both of which took the top step of the podium at many events on Epynt. Until recently John still held the most outright wins on the ranges.
The other car that occupied the top podium step on more than one occasion driven and owned by Damian Cole of Abergavenny was the Citroen C3 Rally2. In fact, Damian only last September took his 26th outright rally win on Epynt overtaking John Prices long held record.
We were also graced with several trade displays to add interest to the day with Nicky Grist Motorsport offering competition clothing and rally car preparation products, Welshpool based Rally Marketing with models, clothing and bespoke competition printing and Paul and Ben Lawrence Photography specialising in high quality motorsport images and calendars.
Brecon Motor Club are indebted to all those who took the time and made the effort to bring these wonderful vehicles to the Market Hall and brighten up an otherwise wet and windy Saturday.
