LLANON driver Dylan Davies has won the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship, but in one of the most closely fought seasons that the series have ever witnessed, it took a tie-breaker to determine the destiny of the crown.

Davies and Caernarfon co-driver Llion Williams finished equal on points with former champion Matt Edwards of Llysfaen and co-driver Darren Garrod, from Pwllheli, but they claimed the overall crown, based on the competitors’ performances within their respective classes.

Third place overall goes to two more former champions, Luke Francis, from Rhuddlan and John H Roberts, with Roberts, from Colwyn Bay, also taking senior co-driver honours. The senior drivers category goes to Surrey driver Wug Utting.

Championship co-ordinator Dave Evison said: “We are naturally disappointed that the scheduled final round of the championship, the Wyedean Stages will not happen as the event was set to provide a great climax to the season, but that doesn’t detract from Dylan and Llion’s achievement in what in a hugely competitive season.

“The Championship has attracted a record level of registrations this season, but the series organisers are not sitting back on their laurels and we are looking at all aspects of the Championship to look at ways we can improve it and make it even more attractive to competitors. We will be unveiling further details very soon.”

Utting and co-driver Bob Stokoe missed out on the Group N award, however, by a single point. That award went to Scott Faulkner and Aberystwyth’s Gareth Parry after a season long battle with their rivals.

Parry also secured the junior co-driver title, while top junior driver award went to Matthew Hirst, who is from Doncaster.

“At the beginning of the year, I never thought that I would be in this position,” said talented Ceredigion co-driver Parry.

“Scott Faulkner has been faultless all year with everything, not just the driving, and I can’t thank him enough for having faith in me as a young navigator.

“A massive thank you goes to everyone involved, including Professional Motorsport Expo, our main sponsors, Chris at C1-R for keeping the car in prime condition, Mr Tyre, Garry Davies Accident Repairs, Gareth Wyn, Fluid Power, George at Gee Wizz Performance for backing me.

“I have now been selected for the MSA Co-Driver Academy Programme, so I am looking forward to see what 2019 brings.”

Max Utting and Mike Ainsworth clinched the two-wheel drive category, while the front wheel drive honours went to Shropshire driver Dave Brick and co-driver Keaton Williams from Ludlow.

Barry Jordan and Paul Wakely meanwhile took the rear wheel drive honours.

In an equally closely contested RAVENOL Welsh Challenge, top driver Matthew Hirst finished ahead of Max Utting and Colin Griffiths. Declan Dear took the co-driver honours from Mike Ainsworth and Church Stretton’s Geraint Thomas.