CHARITY has won again at a popular rally.

Last weekend saw the 15th running of Bala and District Motor Club’s Minafon Garage Gareth Hall Memorial Rally at the Trawsfynydd Ranges.

As is becoming a tradition with the event, the rally sets out to raise as much money as possible for the North Wales Air Ambulance.

As ever, former Proton and Nissan works driver Geoff Jones raffled his navigator’s seat, with this alone raising £950.

Added to this was the spectator car park admission money and generous donations from Dave Paveley, of North Wales Honda, and Myfyr Owen, of Clwydian Cars, making a whopping donation of £2,200 to this worthy cause.

A total of 29 cars entered the rally, with 26 making the start.

The rally was initially a close battle between the local crews of Len Jones / Don James and Meilyr Evans / Telor Pugh from the Machynlleth area, both in MK2 Ford Escorts.

However, after a rare mistake from Jones early on, Evans / Pugh went on to win the rally by 21 seconds.

Finishing second overall in a newly acquired Subaru were Josh Taylor and local navigator Heather Merrison, with Geoff Jones and raffle winning navigator Nicola Nieroda taking the third podium spot.

Fourth went to the local crew of Gethin Sharp and Kate Bannister in another Subaru, followed by Dave and Eryl Pritchard, from Bala.

In the up to two-litre class, the two final class awards were taken by Len Jones / Don James and Hywel Davies / Simon Jones.

Taking the over two-litre class were Josh Taylor and Heather Merrison in their Subaru, followed by Geoff Jones / Nicola Nieroda and Josh Taylor / Heather Merrison.

The up to 1600cc class was taken by another local crew – Geoff McQuilling / Stephen Landen.

They were followed by the Bala father-and-son pairing of Julian Birley and James Birley.

Taking the honours in the up to 1400cc were Alan Evans / Rhys Jones, with Denbigh’s Brynli Thomas partnered by Catrin Price taking the road rally class.