Published: January 31, 2009
In photos: First day of Brean Rally 2009 roars into action

Freezing cold weather reduced the number of spectators at the opening day of the annual Brean Rally on Saturday (January 31st), but the action on the track was just as hot as ever.

Brean Leisure Park once again echoed to the sound of high octane engines for the thirteenth annual Brean Stages Rally. There were plenty of thrills and spills as the cars weaved around caravans at the track.

The battle at the top after Saturday's eight stages is between past winners Karl Broad/Trasie Moore (pictured below), who are in second place with their Metro 6R4, and Peter Lloyd/Graham Handley, who are leading the event by a 19 second margin in their Subaru Imprezza.

Starting at number one on the entry grid was the current National British Asphalt Rally Champion and last year's Brean winner, David Kynaston, co-driven by Andy Russell from Exeter. David was driving his very fast Audi A3 Quatro (pictured above) and was on the attack from the very start, attempting to achieve an historic hattrick of wins, however he was not having it all his own way this year and ended the day in fourth place overall.

At number two was Peter Lloyd and Graham Handley from South Wales in their newly-acquired Subaru Impreza S12 World Rally Car, previously owned by ex world rally champion Petter Solberg. Lloyd has won this event twice before in 1999 and 2001 driving an MG Metro 6R4.

Husband and wife team Steve and Yvonne Furzeland from Plymouth started in third spot in another Subaru Impreza. Steve and Yvonne are current South West Tarmacadam Rally Champions and have previously won this event in 2006. They lay two seconds behind David Kynaston in third place overall at the end of Saturday's action.

The action continues on Sunday, with gates opening for spectators from 8am, and racing starting at around 10am. Admission is by car parking charge only, up to two persons in a car costs £10 and three persons or more in a car costs £15. Both rates include a souvenir programme.

Roger Grant and co-driver James Grant required a push from the marshalls in their Austin Mini Cooper after suffering mechanical problems

The front of this Toyota MR2, driven by Weston team Barry Pavey and Simon Kellway, was left damaged after a collision mid-way through Saturday's action

Peter Lloyd and Graham Handley from South Wales in their newly-acquired Subaru Impreza S12 World Rally Car, previously owned by ex world rally champion Petter Solberg

Burnham-On-Sea team Jon Sparks and Chris Davies in action in their Mitsubishi EV07

Eric Weaver and Andrew Sankey competed in Saturday's event in this Anglia RS

Burnham-On-Sea's Nikki Peskett and Debbie Miller had a good day in this Peugeot 205 GTi

Photos: Burnham-On-Sea.com & Michal Bak