Tom Cave delivered a perfect performance at the Armstrong Galloway Hills Rally by setting the fastest time on all of the event’s eight stages.

In doing so, he recorded his third British Rally Championship victory of the season by nearly a minute.

It was all he and co-driver Dale Bowen could to give themselves a chance of claiming this year’s British title, but with their main rivals Matt Edwards/Patrick Walsh finishing third, it meant they ended the season in second place overall.

“To be quickest on all the stages, and win without any problems, is the best result you can hope for," said Aberdyfi ace Cave.

"We pushed from the start, and did everything we could today to keep a grip on the title, but the difference in points between Matt and I was just too much.

"We didn’t lose the title today, it was the DNFs on round one, the Cambrian Rally and round five in Ulster that set us back."

Cave added: “To have completely rebuilt the Hyundai in three weeks following our off in Ulster - and then for it to run faultlessly throughout this event - is a fantastic achievement and testimony to the PCRS team’s hard work and professionalism. Today’s win is for them.

“After three victories - one on asphalt and two on gravel - we’ve proved that the Hyundai i20 R5 is capable of winning in the British Rally Championship.

"Whilst we didn’t quite get our hands on the title, it’s great to have finished the season on a high.”

Based in the forests of southwest Scotland, the sixth and final round of this year’s British Rally Championship comprised nine stages and 71 competitive miles, over some of the most demanding gravel roads in the UK.

With Edwards ahead on points following round five, it meant that if he finished seventh or higher, he would secure the title. As cars set off from the start near Castle Douglas on a bright and sunny morning, Cave was in determined mood.

Stage-after-stage, he and Bowen set the pace, posting fastest time after fastest time, never putting a foot wrong in the process.

The Michelin tyres worked well, and the Philip Case Rallysport prepared Hyundai - which had been rebuilt following the previous round - ran faultlessly.

With organisers cancelling the ninth and final stage, Cave and Bowen crossed the finish line, having set eight out of eight fastest times to record their third BRC victory of the season.

They ended the day 54.9 seconds ahead of Jonny Greer and co-driver Dai Roberts, and 2 minutes 16 seconds ahead of Edwards and Walsh, who had did exactly what they needed to do to finish third.

Cave now looks forward to his next challenge, the Wales Rally GB - Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship - that takes place between 3rd and 6th October.