Five time World Rally champion Sebastien Ogier claimed a record breaking victory on Wales Rally GB last weekend, held on some of the world’s best rally stages in Mid and North Wales, writes Hal Ridge.

Driving for the M-Sport Ford team, Frenchman Ogier took the lead of the rally in Mid Wales on Saturday when title rival and rally leader Ott Tanak ground to a halt with a damaged radiator on the second run through the famous Sweet Lamb Hafren stage, after a midday re-group and tyre change on Newtown High Street.

Ogier then won the rally after a last day battle with former winner Jari-Matti Latvala from Finland.

Having previously won WRGB four times, Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia’s fifth success makes them the most successful pairing in the event’s history.

“It’s been a great weekend for us and one with a lot of different emotions,” said Ogier. “I’m proud to have won this rally for the fifth time, especially because we know how challenging and tough it is to stay on the road and not make mistakes in these conditions.

“We had a very difficult start on Friday and thought the rally was almost over, but then we fought back with everything we had.

“We knew the podium was still within reach and when Ott had his problems it became a big fight for the win. Jari-Matti was very quick, which forced us to react. Luckily I was able to finish the rally with three perfect stages., especially SS22 which was as close to perfection as I can get and I’m glad I could make the difference there.

“It’s a great step in the right direction for the championship and puts us right back in the fight.”

Toyota drivers Latvala and Esapekka Lappi completed the podium.

2017 home hero Elfyn Evans, from Dolgellau, who won the rally 12 months ago with M-Sport, battled for the lead on the opening day in his Ford Fiesta.

Evans was second overall when he was forced to retire from Friday on a road section with a misfiring engine to end his changes of a second home win.

Aberdovey’s Tom Cave made his return to international rallying and set impressive times in the RC2 support category but his hopes of a strong result were ended by mechanical issues.

Meanwhile Newtown MC’s Alun Horn and Ian Beamond finished the national rally in 13th place while Keith Jones and Jonny Evans ended 32nd, just ahead of clubmates Elliot Stafford and Lewis Sim in 34th.

Alwyn Passant and Denny harris ended 54th while Phil Jones and Clive Jones retired with steering problems.