Evans has to settle for second at the Nicky Grist Stages in Builth Wells

Mid Wales racer Meirion Evans was unable to win his home rally of the Nicky Grist Stages - as Jordan Hone returned from a decade-long absence to take a stunning victory in Builth Wells.

It was the first time that Evans had started a gravel rally first on the road and it was his first experience of running on the super loose virgin gravel that goes with the honour of being number one seed.

Grip, especially exiting tight corners, was hard to find and he reached the midday service in his Castrol MEM Rally Team Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in third position.

With the loose gravel swept away by the 133 cars that had already passed through, conditions were much improved for the afternoon loop and it was only an overheating issue, and a subsequent loss of power, on SS7 that prevented Meirion and co-driver Dale Furniss from completing a clean sweep of stage wins in the afternoon.

He was, however, happy to come home in second position and top the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship points scoring, and record yet another strong gravel rally performance.

The honour of victory instead went to Hone - who last contested the Nicky Grist Stages 10 years ago, but led this year’s rally from start to finish in his Premier Car Parts Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.

Having set the fastest time on three of the morning’s four stages, Hone arrived at the midday service halt after four stages with a 12.4-second lead.

He extended his advantage to 14 seconds after SS5 and controlled the pace at the front in his Ap/Art Rally Team-prepared Skoda to win by 7.7 seconds.

The victory also marked the first overall rally win for Welsh co-driver Sion Williams.

"Winning the Nicky Grist Stages is a bit of a shock, to be honest,” said Hone. “It's been 10 years since we were last here in the Proton, and the only thing I could remember was the name of the stages, so to come back and win overall is really special.

“I'm absolutely delighted. I've really enjoyed the rally and fair play to everyone involved in organising it.

"A huge thanks to my co-driver Sion [Williams] and everyone at the Ap/Art Rally Team. They've done a top job preparing the car for this event and they deserve this result just as much as we do. I couldn't be happier."

The cars were flagged away from the start outside Strand Hall, and trophy presentations made, by Cllr Alan Waller, the mayor of Builth Wells.

The Builth Wells RFC pitch once again provided a magnificent service area and the hot and dry stages, held in and around the Mynydd Epynt military range, offered a great challenge to competitors.

“A huge thank you to all the competitors who supported the event this year – the action on the stages was spectacular,” said Neil Cross, Nicky Grist Stages Clerk of the Course. “I think I speak for everyone when I say a huge thank you to the army of volunteers who ensured the stages ran and everyone was kept safe in the extremely hot conditions.

“And thank you to all our sponsors, Builth Wells RFC and to the people of Builth Wells, who are so tremendously welcoming.”

The ‘Ian Evans Spirit of the Rally Award’, named in honour of the event’s late friend and colleague, was awarded posthumously to Ian Evans, with his daughter Tru also recognised for courageously stepping into the role of chief marshal and continuing her father's outstanding work.