The Nicky Grist Stages Rally has fast become one of the most popular and successful rallies in the British Rallying calendar.

Sponsored by local entrepreneur, Nicky Grist, this year was the most successful yet, since its beginning five years ago.

Based on the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells the event attracted an entry of 170 cars. Using such superb stages as Monument, Route 60, Halfway and Crychan the event was comparable to a mini Wales Rally GB.

Local interest was in two competitors Damian Cole and Wayne Bonser.

Cole started in a left hand drive Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9 with Jack Morton co driving.

Cole will be seen for the rest of the year in a left hand drive Ford Fiesta WRC, so the Nicky Grist Rally was his first event in a left hand drive car.

Lacking seat time and considerably down on power to his Ford Focus WRC, Cole got stuck in and finished fifth in class B13 and twenty eighth overall. Wayne Bonser and Rich Aston started in their immaculate Ford Escort Mk 1 a credit to the crew. Competing in the historic section of the rally, the crew were rewarded with sixth in the H2 class and seventy third overall.

Congratulations to Nicky and his team for organising such a classic event.