NIGEL Drew and Pauline Nash were pleased to come away with 24th overall on last weekends North Wales Rally Services/Weir Laundry Equipment Rally North Wales.

The event attracted a high quality entry of more than 100 cars, for 41 competitive miles in the Dyfi Forestry complex. The rally, which hadn't run for three years, consisted of two loops of three stages.

Heavy rain and mist greeted crews as they left the start outside Gwyndaf Evans Motors in Dolgellau – home of the Welsh rallying legend.

Drew got off to a steady start on the opening nine mile Gartheniog, with patchy visibility being an issue, but an off in Stage 2 in Dyfi Main bent a steering arm badly and he had to drive steadily through the long third test before returning to service to get it changed.

"We've bent a steering arm. It's cost us some time as I had to drive half of Stage 2 and whole of Stage 3 with badly deranged steering. I hope we can get it fixed now to get back out," said Drew on entering service.

With the problem fixed the duo pushed hard on the afternoon loop of stages despite the mist still rolling in, climbing up from the mid 30s overall to 24th and 12th in class in the NPD Plant/Calico Interiors Impreza.

"We've had a great afternoon. Mark sorted out the steering arm in service and we've pushed really hard on the last three stages. But what a fantastic rally; great format, no delays. Here we are at half past two and we're finished – credit to the organizing team," said Drew at the finish.

The event was won by Scottish duo David Bogie and Kevin Rae in a Fiesta R5.