IT wasn’t the outcome that Welsh rally star Tom Cave, co-driver James Morgan, or indeed any of the 108 competitors and everyone involved with Saturday’s Llandudno-based Cambrian Rally had expected - but the event was cancelled after stage one due to a significant overnight fall of snow and sub-zero temperatures.

With it being his first rally in the car, Cave, from Aberdyfi, had tested the McKinstry Motorsport WRC Subaru Impreza on Friday, and after a few small tweaks to the suspension, and with the DMACK tyres working extremely well, he felt comfortable in the car and ready to challenge for his first Cambrian Rally victory.

When he and co-driver Morgan, from Hirwaun, arrived at the start of the opening stage - a 6.35-mile run through Alwen Forest - they were surprised to encounter a road that was completely covered in compacted snow and ice. Running ahead of the rest of the field, there were no tyre tracks or any sign of gravel showing through the white carpet ahead of them.

A cautious approach was definitely the order of service and, with very little grip to be had, Cave and Morgan extremely relieved to make it to the finish of the stage, having stayed on the road and setting third-fastest overall time after a masterly display of car control. However, any measure of performance was irrelevant, as it was clear from a competitor’s perspective that the rally could go no further.

News then came in that the event organisers had cancelled the remaining five stages and subsequently they instructed crews to return to the service area.

“It was absolutely the right decision to cancel the rest of the event,” said Cave.

“It was crazy carrying on in those conditions. I feel sorry for the organisers and marshals, as I appreciate just how much work goes into a rally like this. But it was better to take this course of action than to take any risks in conditions that were more in keeping with the Swedish Rally that’s also taking place this weekend.

“Of course, it was a shame not to be able to put on a good show for my sponsors and supporters, or to make full use of the World Rally Car at my disposal. I’ll therefore have to wait another year before I can complete what I regard as unfinished business on my most local event. In the meantime, I’m contemplating another outing in the Subaru soon.”

Organisers confirmed that Cambrian Rally had been cancelled for safety reasons after heavy snow near Bala, with the conditions making access to Aberhirnant and Llangower “almost impassable”.

More than 100 competitors were taking part in the event which starts and ends in Llandudno. Organisers said it was unsafe for marshals, competitors and spectators.

The event, which has been running for 62 years, is a round of the British Trials and Rally Drivers Championship, as well as the Welsh Forest Championship.