Ross duo Roger Matthews and co-driver Mike Jode secured the Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Championship on last weekend's AVS Motorsport Cambrian Rally.

For Matthews and Jode, it had been a season-long battle with the likes of Nick Elliott, David Stokes, Julian Reynolds and Pete Smith but it all came down to the final round, where a finish would secure the prestigious title.

The Llandudno-based event was also the final round of the BTRDA and Welsh series and offered seven demanding tests in both Clocaenog and Penmachno forests with the final stage over the twisty tarmac coastal headland road of the Great Orme, totalling some 45 miles.

Matthews and Jode had a trouble-free day in the RJ Matthews Transport Escort RS1600, although running low on fuel after stage one caused a few anxious moments, and with only driving at 70 per cent they found the stages incredibly slippery, but survived to finish 42nd overall, 8th in class and lift the Welsh Historic crown.

This was the St Weonards driver's first title since winning the AWMMC title in 1983.

"Really pleased to be here, been a hard day. Not having to drive hard is more difficult than going flat out," said Matthews.

"It is nice to win the Welsh title given the opposition all year, thanks to Mike who has done a great job all year, to my team Pat, Mark, Kevin, Hazel and Emma at Quick Motorsport."

It was also a good end to the year for Nigel Jenkins and Jack Walby in the Calico Interiors-backed 1400 Nova 16v, with a fine 33rd overall, fourth 1400 and second in class.

They found the opening two Clocaenog tests very slippery with inconsistent grip levels, and lost time slowing for other cars that had gone off.

They had a very good run through both notoriously difficult Penmachno stages, setting second fastest 1400 time in stage four, to arrive at second service third 1400 but only a few seconds off second.

For more, see this week's Beacon (24th October).

Picture courtesy of TWM Photography.