The South Wales Autograss League started its racing season on Easter Monday at Castle Lloyd Farm, near Red Roses, with the first qualifying round for this years men's national championships.

A good turnout of cars (many of them newly-built for this season) from the host league took part, as well as cars from the neighbouring west Wales league, the Radford club in Worcestershire, and drivers from Mallow and Cork clubs in southern Ireland.

With the Castle Lloyd circuit in superb condition thanks to chairman Gary Ray and his team, the large crowd of spectators were treated to some very fast, close spectacular racing.

In class one, the Pembroke Haven and District Club drivers were in fine form in their 1000cc minis, with father and son Paul and Lee Pearce finishing first and third in the final, with St Clears duo Barry Lewis and Meurig Davies, fourth and fifth respectively.

In class five, Bryan Neale, from Cosheston, made a great start to the season in his Millforge Garage Vauxhall powered Fiat claiming a first and second in his heats, passing his old rival Malcolm Herbert on the last bend of the six lap final to cap a good day.

In class six, PHD drivers were very unlucky, with Neil Morgan in the thick of the action in his Kaglas Vauxhall Nova. After two good heat results, his day ended with the car on its roof in the final, but on this form he will be one to watch this season. Damian Longatano, of St Davids, was again in among the front runners, until dogged with mechanical problems in the final. Thomas Chapel racer John Hallett scraped into the eight-car final after a run off and finished with a fine third place.

With some familiar faces missing in class seven, there was still a fine array of machinery on show and some some fast exciting racing from the super saloons.

Lally Buird's new single bike mini won the best turned out car in south Wales league award. He soon showed it not only looked good but with a bit of sorting will be right on the pace.

Another new car belonging to Derek Larney John also looked promising until a collision with PHD team mate Chris Paines, from Milford Haven, put paid to both cars for the day.

In class ten Gary Ray from the PHD Club took a spectacular win, with his son Carl an earlier casualty with the fence, after winning best turned out special.

PHD Juniors (12 to 16 year olds) were in fine form with brothers Jamie and Josh Powell finishing first and third respectively in their 1000cc minis.

Jake Roberts, of New Hedges, carried on his good form from last season to win the Junior Specials with Jordan Carter, of Llanteg, in third place.

In the women's class 11, Bobbie Neale, of Cosheston, crowned a good day for the Neale family by winning the final, with the experienced Daphne Mousley in fourth.

The south Wales league is back in action at the same venue on Sunday, Sunday, April 20th, with a 11.30am start, before they host round one of the British autograss series on Saturday and Sunday May 3rd and 4th, with around 600 drivers expected to be competing during two action-packed days.

For more details go to southwales autograss.co.uk.

3:25pm Tuesday 8th April 2008

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