Last weekend’s Harry Flatters Rally saw both the Fuchs British Historic and RAC Asphalt historic series arrive on the notorious Epynt ranges near Sennybridge for 70 miles of competition.

The Brecon Motor Club event saw a mixture of 95 modern and historic crews do battle over the 11 tests, in atrocious conditions.

And it was Damian Cole and local boy Craig Drew who emerged victorious overall in the modern event in the Get Connected backed Ford Fiesta WRC. This was Cole’s 20th outright win on the ranges, and for Drew, who’s taking a mid season break from his Subaru USA commitments, a chance to do a rare UK event.

The winning margin was just 19 seconds from Scotsman Alex Laffey in his Fiesta R5, who was preparing for next month’s Ulster Rally.

“It’s nice to come and do an event with Damian, and we just kept our noses in front in such dreadful conditions,” Drew said.

“But it was all the marshalls who deserve huge credit for sticking it out in these conditions.”

Ian Skipp, with Russell Joseph calling the notes, took 19th overall and 5th in class, in the Vauxhall Astra.

Alan Marriage and Colin Jenkins finished 25th and 7th in class in the Dave Jenkins Motorsport run Escort RS.

In the historic event there was some great battles between the local crews for top honours and it was Simon Tysoe with Ross Motor Club member Paul Morris calling the notes in the Jondel Engines Escort RS1600, who emerged with that accolade after a trouble free day, finishing a superb 10th overall, 1st in class and category two victory.

Cinderford duo, Jason Gardner and Ade Williams, in the Brecon View Plumbing Escort RS1800, finished 15th overall and 7th in class despite a bad misfire on stage six, which was cured by new set of plugs.

Just behind them were Ben Friend and Cliffy Simmons in the Allglass Escort RS, tarmac is not Ben’s preferred surface and they finished 17th overall and 11th in class. Just a few seconds behind were Andy Stokes and Adrian McNally in the Escort RS1600, finishing 18th and 2nd in class and 2nd in category two.

Ross garage owner Steve Bennett was driving a Ford Escort on tarmac for the first time in 31 years, his last time was the JJ Brown Rally in North Wales, which was the final ever iconic Motoring News road rally championship event.

But together with Osian Owen on the notes they held a top 15 position until a broken shaft brought retirement.

The historic event was won by Gareth James and Steff Evans in the immaculate Escort RS1800.