The Results
Overall and in the Classic category, after a mighty battle with several changes of lead, experts Mark Godfrey and Ryan Pickering (Ford Escort Mk 1) finally triumphed over John King and Guy Woodcock (Ford Escort Mk 2) by the heady margin of 26 seconds. 2025 winners Graham Walker and Sean Toohey (Lotus Elan) were best on tests and finished a close third overall. Finishing fourth after being in contention throughout were Rikki Proffiitt/Henry Carr (Porsche 911). A single minute covered all four crews at the finish.
A minute further back, Paul Bloxidge and Ian Canavan (VW Golf GTi) didn't quite have the firepower to take the battle to the leaders, but staved off the beautifully presented TR8 of Malcolm Dunderdale and Anita Wickins to narrowly head the runners-up. Close behind them, Shaun Harborne and Mike Cochrane (Bentley 3-4½), both on their first Three Castles, were a fine eighth overall and took the Heritage honours by a distance, with Patrick and Hubert Lynch (Cooper S) similarly dominant among the Intermediate crews, just ahead of them in seventh.
Also in the Heritage class, Mark Worrall and Annabel Jones brought their open-top Jaguar XK120 OTS through unscathed and had their car voted the most desirable car by the Scrutineering team. Helen Proffitt and Graham Wild entertained everyone with their brilliant dress sense and good humour all week and deservedly were the Marshal's Choice.A minute further back, Paul Bloxidge and Ian Canavan (VW Golf GTi) didn't quite have the firepower to take the battle to the leaders, but staved off the beautifully presented TR8 of Malcolm Dunderdale and Anita Wickins to narrowly head the runners-up. Close behind them, Shaun Harborne and Mike Cochrane (Bentley 3-4½), both on their first Three Castles, were a fine eighth overall and took the Heritage honours by a distance, with Patrick and Hubert Lynch (Cooper S) similarly dominant among the Intermediate crews, just ahead of them in seventh.
The leading Intermediate entry came from Patrick & Hubert Lynch (Mini Cooper S), 7th overall. They win this year's £500 Vintage Tyres voucher. First Novices were Hywel Bryn Williams and Ryland James (Chrysler Sunbeam Ti), 20th overall.
You don't need a modern car to do well on the Three Castles, as all these winners showed.
Mike Cochrane and Ryan Pickering won the Nigel Raeburn Trophies as the navigators with the fewest penalties on the Regularities. Shaun Harborne and Graham Walker won the Steering Wheel Trophies for the drivers with the lowest times on the Tests. The immaculately attired Nigel Dowding and Mary Antcliff took home the Grande Luxe award in their Aston Martin. The cross-category Penderyn Team Award went to Team Gwrych, and all eight teams got at least five cars to the finish to count.
In the Concours d’Elegance, the Imperial Trophy for the winning car went to Richard and Elizabeth Frost for their beautiful Mercedes-Benz 280SL. Stuart Sargeant and Sian Slater took the Imperial Classic Cup for their fine Porsche 914/6GT. Shaun Harborne's travel-stained Bentley 3-4½ won the Imperial Heritage Cup. The Concours Trophy went to Andrew Yates' shining Sunbeam Tiger while the Judges' Choice of the car they would most like to take home was Mark Ridley’s lovely Austin Healey 3000.
On the Penderyn Prologue, the awards went to John King and Guy Woodcock (First Overall), David Westaway and Roger Smith (First Heritage), Robert & Timothy Carr (Best Intermediates) and Michael Bayliss & Mike Rands (Best Novices).
Duncan Littler was our Official Competitor Photographer again this year and is in contact with proofs of you in action, along with details on how to order. His email is dunclitz@hotmail.com, and his number is 07740 179619. As in previous years, we will put up a gallery on the website once our pictures are ready. The full and detailed results can be found online at https://mtc1.uk/results/2026/threecastles/OverallResults.php
Top Six Overall
1. Mark Godfrey/Ryan Pickering - Ford Escort Mk 1 31:20
2. John King/Guy Woodcock - Ford Escort Mk 2 31:46
3. Graham Walker/Sean Toohey - Lotus Elan 32:09
6. Malcolm Dunderdale/Anita Wickins - Triumph TR8 33:28
2. John King/Guy Woodcock - Ford Escort Mk 2 31:46
3. Graham Walker/Sean Toohey - Lotus Elan 32:09
4. Rikki Proffitt/Henry Carr - Porsche 911 32:20
5. Paul Bloxidge/Ian Canavan - VW Golf GTi 33:196. Malcolm Dunderdale/Anita Wickins - Triumph TR8 33:28