Craig Drew made a triumphant return to British rallying with a hard fought victory at last weekend’s Stephens & George Harry Flatters Rally on the Epynt military ranges.

Drew teamed up with former driver Damian Cole in the Get Connected backed Fiesta WRC.

Brecon Motor Club attracted just over 100 entries for the 72 competitive miles crammed into 5 long stages.

The event was also a round of the Mintex /Fuchs RAC Historic and Asphalt series.

Cole and Drew got off to the worst possible start with a high speed 5th gear off about three miles from the end of the opening test; causing a double puncture and losing around 45 seconds to Andy Fraser’s V6 Darrian GTR.

"Not the way to start the event, we went light over a fast righthander, with a bump and shot off over grass and scrub and through some gorse bushes. We were very lucky to get away so lightly really, Epynt not usually that forgiving” said Drew

But with fastest times on stages 2 and 3, they started to reel in the flying Darrian, and with another fastest time on stage four, with Fraser losing 20 seconds with a spin, the duo held a 10 second lead with one stage to go. Another fastest time saw them take victory. Sadly for Fraser, a fire on the final test caused extensive damage to the Darrian and his retirement.

"It’s really good to come back to Epynt and win, we had a bit of luck early on but then we had to push hard, I got Damian braking later and, pushing him on, this was reflected in our stages times, and he drove very well."

Also in the modern event Ross MC members Matt Davis, with the experienced Russell Joseph, took an excellent 30th overall; 2nd in class in the Roberts Plant Peugeot 106. On Matt’s first visit to Epynt they had an issue with the engine kill switch, but a huge amount of insulation tape sorted the problem.

In the historic event Ross co-driver Paul Morris teamed up with Simon Tysoe in the Jondel Race Engines Escort RS1600 to continue their excellent run of results with 5th overall; 1st in post historic and 1st in class. After a trouble free event they now hold 2nd overall in the championship.

St Weonards’ Roger Matthews and Tom Marrott were another crew to have a trouble free event in the RJ Matthews Transport Escort RS1600; finishing 11th overall and 2nd in class. The duo now lead the RAC asphalt series with three rounds to go, but will miss the double points round on the Isle of Man due to work commitments.

Jason Gardner/Ade Williams had what Gardner called "a trying day" in the Brecon View Plumbing Escort RS1800 but still took 18th overall; 9th in class.