Rally Evolution Team
Meet the team, a mix of experience, passion and dedication!
Working behind the scenes to keep the format fresh and alive
Kenny Owen
Rally Director & Clerk of the Course
Kenny started competing in 1972 in a Mini when he was a youthful 12 years of age and began organising rallies at 15, juggling maps with ‘o’ levels! Welsh and Motoring News night road rallies were a regular activity for Kenny in the late 1970’s through to the mid 1990’s. He started Stage Rallying in 1982 with many accolades to his name but his most recent success came in 2006 winning the Welsh National Championship in a Subaru Impreza WRC.
As an organiser Kenny has Clerked events world wide including - Rallye des Alpes, Le Jog, Classic Malts, London to Lisboa, Circuit of Wales and the highly successful and current Three Castles Welsh Classic Trial which runs each May/June.
Andrea Owen
Secretary & Entries Secretary and Finance & Accommodation officer
Andrea was introduced to motor sport in 1982 when she first met Kenny. A very cold winter’s morning on Epynt – the Virgo Galaxy Rally - and a baptism of fire when she had to marshal hoards of spectators after a horrific accident when car 120 rolled heavily on Devil’s. The driver’s helmet was not fastened securely and flew off his head resulting in Andrea believing that driver had been decapitated! Luckily, the driver was unhurt and Andrea coped extremely well with the situation.
Since her inauguration in to the sport Andrea has successfully handled many official posts such as Secretary on numerous events including the famous Three Rivers Rally, Pendine Stages, Three Castles Welsh Classic Trial and of course the Lombard Rally. Andrea was also Secretary for the Welsh Association of Motor Clubs Southern Centre and competed on local Club events through the 1980’s & 90’s. Her hardest task is keeping Kenny under control – say no more!
Viv Owen
In charge of documentation
Viv, like Kenny, started his rallying career through the local Llandovery Motor Club. Organising events such as the Three Rivers Rally 1984 - 1990 and competing mainly on night road rallies including the Motoring News series with top drivers including Huw Rees.
Viv's first rally was navigating for a local novice driver on the 1979 Port Talbot Novices Rally in a 3 litre Ford Capri. Unfortunately, a victim of Occy's White bridge, tearing the rear nearside panel off and damaging the suspension! An early bath on what was the third section of the event. However, after a sharp learning curve he went on to top the navigators poll year in year out. Although started stage rallying in the early 1980's, Viv hung up his racing boots in 1990. He makes a welcome return on the Rally Evo bringing with him a wealth of experience to an already high regarded team of officia
Rob Lyall
Competitor Liaison Officer
Rob Lyall
1960s Navigated on rallies to International and Works Team levels.
1970s Some major rallies - eg. World Cup Rally. Several Autocross FTDs. Midlands Area Chairman of the Castrol Quiz.
1980s Several gold medals driving in Classic Trials.
Involved in historic rallies since 1981 including winning first Pirelli Classic Marathon as a navigator, Clerk of the Course of the first Rally Britannia, navigation school trainer and lately as a CLO and Steward. Judge at race meetings and member of Ecuria Cod Fillet for 40 years.
Liz Lyall
Liz Lyall
In the past competed in all types of motor club events including Motoring News Rallies both as a driver and navigator. BTRDA Autocross finalist in 1967/68.
Now more involved with horses as a British Eventing Steward but has also recently acted as a CLO with Rob.
If you would like to get in contact with Liz please call: 07818 037246
Iain Baxter
Radio Co-ordinator / MSA Licenced Radio Operator
Iain, a member of Rhyl & District Motor Club since the 1970's has assisted on WERA events since 2004. At Rhyl & District Motor Club Iain has held many posts including Safety Officer, Stage Commander, Chief Marshal, Radio Operator and most importantly a Marshal on local, National and International motor sporting events. As a former Road Rally competitor Iain certainly knows his way around the rallying circuits. Iain is currently the Chief Marshal for Rhyl & District Motor Club.
Richard and Kerry Bate
The Medics
They have been working with Kenny since the Poppy Rally in 2004, when Richard AKA 'Rick' first introduced himself at one of the numerous hospitality events that ran along side the rally. They are trained professionals, with a wealth of experience, our competitors can be rest assured they are in safe hands. To read more about our gallant CMO and his dear lady click here ... The Medics!
Dave V Thomas - Chief Marshal
“DVT” is Championship Co-Ordinator for the Association of North-Western Car Clubs (ANWCC) having held that post for over 25 years. He has been a member of North Wales Car Club since first becoming interested in motorsport 40 years ago, having held the posts of Championship Secretary and General Secretary and is the current magazine editor.
Dave is a regular contributor to Motorsport News and was one of the regional contributors to Rally Sport Magazine for many years, submitting reports on rallies in the north-west.
Dave is a past Welsh Road Rally Champion Navigator, and was also the first Welsh Stage Rally Champion Co-Driver. He has also won the ANWCC Rally Navigator and Production Car Trials championships. Individual event successes include many road rally victories as a navigator, stage rally success as a co-driver, car trial victories, also winning a Historic Road Rally in the driving seat and more recently a season of Endurance Rallying. Dave is a founder member of the Formula 1000 Rally Club that has recently introduced youngsters to stage rallying, and other current activities include work as a radio operator.
Dave is about to retire from his “day job” of Site Support Design Engineer due to factory closure, and looks forward to the challenge that the Rally Evo will bring!
Rally Evolution Team Statistics: 0 click throughs, 2309 views since 23-Feb-2009
