LAST weekend's Axon Severn Valley Stages saw local crews walk away with silverware.

The Builth Wells-based event saw the British Rally Championship opening round, combined with the Fuchs British Historic Rally and Pirelli Welsh National championships, over 52 miles in seven tests, mainly in the Myherin and Tarenig complex, including an 18-mile final stage.

The 115-car entry were in for a tough day with sleet, hale, snow and rain.

Cinderford‘s Bob Morgan and Adrian Williams in the Winner Garage Skoda Fabia R5 placed 21st overall and sixth in the Interclub section, with a good haul of Welsh championship points despite a time-consuming puncture.

Newent’s Geoff Phelps welcomed back regular co-driver Colin Jenkins in the Cherry Rock Farm Escort RS1600 and took another class win and 38th, while Abergavenny businessman Damian Cole with Ian Alsop on the notes in the Get Connected.Com Escort RS1800 picked up good Welsh points with 42nd and third in class.

And Jeremy Easson and Littedean’s Mike Reynolds rolled back the years, dusting off the beautiful Datsun 240Z, as the Escort engine rebuild wasn't finished.

They had to contend with the flying Ben Smith in the Porsche 911, but a sensible run secured 52nd and class second.

One place behind and second in class was Abergavenny’s Dave Hopkins and Siobhan Pugh in the Hopgrove-backed Mk1 Escort.

Jeremy Harris and daughter Alex also secured Welsh points in the Kilcot Garage Edge Networks, Country Construction & Gurney Family Butchers Escort Mexico in 77th and fifth in class.

British champion Osian Pryce with James Morgan, debuting his new Castrol-backed Toyota Yaris Rally 2, won by 19 seconds from team mates Merion Evans and Dale Furniss.

But Jonathan Jones with Old Monmothian Cliffy Simmons in the Evo 10 co-driving seat went off into a ditch on the last stage, and the GB Motorservices Subaru Impreza Stationwagon of Ross Motor Club’s Gary Bollands and Nigel Baldwin also retired here.

Eighty three cars finished after an excellent event with classic stages.