Story Highlight
– Paul Woodford competes in UK’s largest road rally, Rali Cilwendeg.
– First East Yorkshire driver since Ron Shipp in 1974.
– Rallying blends navigation with challenges on private roads.
– Event starts at 10pm, lasts 10 hours overnight.
– Paul advocates for greater awareness of grassroots rallying.
Full Story
A motorsport enthusiast from South Cave is set to take on the UK’s largest road rally, mirroring the legacy of a Hull legend from over five decades ago. Paul Woodford, a respected figure in the rallying community known for his presenting work and advocacy for the sport, has expressed his excitement about competing in the Rali Cilwendeg, calling it a “dream come true.” This challenging event features drivers and navigators facing special tests on private roads, farm tracks, and public road navigational sections.
The rally spans several miles through West Wales and is celebrated for attracting large audiences, reminiscent of the sport’s peak popularity during the 1970s and 1980s. At 40 years old, Paul is believed to be the first driver from East Yorkshire to participate in this prestigious event since Ron Shipp achieved fourth place in 1974. “It’s been a bucket list item for such a long time and I never thought it would quite happen,” Paul remarked, noting the event’s appeal to local Welsh teams due to its specialised nature.
Paul faces a tough challenge ahead of him as he aims to match Ron Shipp’s impressive ranking in his Vauxhall Firenza, which was sponsored by Thompsons of Hull. Ron, who passed away seven years ago, had a distinguished career not just in rallying but also in caravan rallying. His brother, Alan Shipp, described him as “one of the best in the country,” highlighting his victories at local events and his participation in renowned competitions, including the RAC Rally alongside rallying great Roger Clark. Together, Ron and Alan famously accomplished the Land’s End to John o’Groats challenge in a motorhome and set records for towing caravans.
Paul stated, “The Cilwendeg is kind of the ultimate road rally,” adding that the event fits into a pathway for new entrants to the sport, which is made more accessible. Over the past year, with support from Motorsport UK, he has been preparing by participating in local navigational events and autotesting. “I’ve had a road rally car built, which I’ve been using for ‘12 cars’,” he explained.
His training also included taking part in Rali Bro Teifi, another rally in West Wales that features similar elements, and various local competitions in North Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. Unlike stage rallying, where teams race over timed sections on closed roads, road rallying is typically conducted without the use of helmets or extensive vehicle modifications, demanding high concentration for both driving and navigation. Paul likened road rallying to “toughmudders in rally cars.”
The Cilwendeg rally, commencing at 10pm on Saturday, October 18, will see Paul and his navigator, Joanna James, engaged in ten hours of rallying that includes navigating controlled speed sections on public roads alongside special tests in various challenging terrains. “You get to about 2:30-3am and everybody is absolutely wiped,” he noted, highlighting the social aspect that unfolds at a refuelling station, where tired competitors gather.
Upon finishing the rally, Paul described the experience as exhilarating, with competitors sharing a sense of accomplishment over a communal breakfast and results celebration after a night of driving. “It’s a mad part of the sport that more people should know about,” he said.
In his professional life, Paul serves as a commercial director in the IT sector and is a dedicated supporter of various forms of rallying, drawing attention to how the sport used to attract larger crowds than the English Football League. His initiatives contribute to Motorsport UK’s ‘Streetcar’ campaign, which seeks to boost participation and interest in grassroots motorsport events. “It’s certainly gaining in popularity, and I think it needs a bit of an injection of information because people don’t realise how much is going on around them,” he added.
For those interested in exploring road rallying and motorsport more broadly, Paul recommends connecting with local clubs, including Beverley and District Motor Club and North Humberside Motor Club. Enthusiasts can follow Paul’s journey leading up to the Cilwendeg and during the event through his YouTube channel.
