About Us
Since being reformed in 2005 HOVAC has been led by Chris Summerfield as Chairman of the club, with Dave Howells as Secretary, and Carolyn Barry being the Social Secretary. Recently Gerwen Barry was appointed as Treasurer to the club following sterling work by Tim Box. Peter Mac is the Vice Chair, in addition to organising the Fantasy Rally Challenge competition. The junior members are represented by James Morgan. The club has a full committee, and all members are encouraged to take an active role in making and taking decisions. Dave Howells and Byron Jones are Joint Clerks of the Course of the Braces Bakery 1000 Lanes Road Rally, with Chris Williams being Assistant Clerk of the Course for the first time this year. Other officials include Abbi Summerfield as Entries Secretary and Chris Summerfield and Alyson Acreman as Joint Chief Marshalls.
HOVAC has a varied membership, with the majority of members actively competing on events. A large number of our members compete on road rallies, both as navigators and drivers. At the Welsh Association of Motor Clubs Awards night earlier this year the following awards were presented to:
Abbi Summerfield - Best lady competitor
Abbi Summerfield - 2nd Semi Expert Driver Road Rally
Steve (Nibbsy) Knibbs - 3rd Semi Expert Driver Road Rally
Gerwen Barry - 2nd Semi Expert Navigator Road Rally
Ivor Williams - 3rd Semi Exert Navigator Road Rally
Jamie (Butch) Wilson - Novice Champion Driver Road Rally
Andrew Richardson - Novice Champion Navigator Road Rally
Chris Summerfield - Nominated for Wooden Spoon Award
Previous champions have included:
Byron Jones - Association of South Western Motor Clubs Champion Road Rally Navigator 2006
Alyson Acreman - Association of South Western Motor Clubs Champion Road Rally Driver 2006
James Morgan - WAMC Novice Champion Navigator Road Rally 2004
Dave Howells - WAMC Novice Champion Driver Road Rally 2004
Mike Morgan - WAMC 1300cc Champion Driver Road Rally 1995
Dave Howells - WAMC 1300cc Champion Navigator Road Rally 1995
HOVAC likes to encourage diversity and is proud to boast of Alyson Acreman and Abbi Summerfield as two of the very few lady drivers who regularly compete as drivers on road rallies in class 1 and 2 respectively. Kirsty Howells can sometimes also be seen giving it all in her little pug in Class 3. Junior members are supported and we have a range of both up- and- coming and top flight navigators amongst our juniors. James Morgan – once the youngest navigator in Wales had won overall awards and championships, not far behind him are the likes of Craig (Rocky) Samuels, Dale Bowen, Rhys Lewis, and competing for the first time this year, young Gemma Samuels and Kurt Williams. Rocky can be seen navigating for Steve Bryant in his 3 Series BMW Challenge Car – Steve making a return to rallying after a short lay-off of 20 years. Juniors also have competitive interests in karting with Lloyd Morgan and Jordan Gullick both competing this year in the Junior Rotax Championship.
Competing on stage events is also a popular option with Byron and Alyson having experience of driving, navigating and servicing on Belgian and French events, competing against each other as co-drivers on the 2007 Rally of Flanders. Also going abroad on The Manx in 2007 was James Morgan, whilst his father Mike Morgan competed on Flanders, Belgium in the same year, as well as excursions to compete on West Cork in Ireland. Abbi demonstrated her talents, as not only a driver, but also as a co-driver on both forestry events, recently competing on the Red Kite Stages and Red Dragon Stages. Also taking dual roles are Chris Williams, Byron Jones, Tom Henderson and Jamie (Butch) Wilson. Chris has recently competed on the Twyford Stages and the Peugeot 205 Challenge. Byron a past winner of the Cilwendeg Road Rally won the August Moon Novice Road Rally in 2006, accompanied by Dale Bowen who was competing on his first event. Tom Henderson, whilst at heart a driver, can occasionally be persuaded to navigate to marshal if he can be coaxed away from his lathes and grinders. Butch has recently seen success as Class 3 (novice) WAMC Driver Champion and is currently navigating in the years championship as a navigator At most events you can see Carolyn Barry, Marcia Davies and Kevin James plus Kev Junior usually standing in the rain marshalling for their competing crews.
Without marshals there would be no start for competitors, so we always appreciate any help we can get. Sweets, chocolate and sandwiches are often a suitable bribe.
1000 Lanes Rally
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