Osian Pryce, Ioan Lloyd and John Dalton Lead Welsh Charge at Rali Ceredigion

Pryce, from Machynlleth, finished fifth overall in the international rally and was the top Welsh driver across the 12 demanding stages. 

The former British Rally champion mixed it with some of Europe’s best, producing a consistent and controlled performance that reaffirmed his status as one of the country’s leading competitors.

Carmarthen’s Lloyd also impressed in front of home support by securing victory in the ERC4 category. 

The 21-year-old not only topped his class but also finished as the fastest two-wheel-drive car of the entire event, marking an important milestone in his developing career.

In the National Rally, Lampeter’s Dalton powered his Darrian T90 to second place overall. The lightweight Welsh-built machine excelled in Saturday’s dry conditions, but Sunday’s rain made the challenge tougher. 

Dalton showed determination to keep the car on the road and fend off Dylan Davies, whose four-wheel-drive Skoda provided an advantage in the wet.

While the Welsh drivers took much of the local spotlight, the overall honours went to Irish crew Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne in their M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2. 

They secured their first-ever FIA European Rally Championship victory and their maiden Probite British Rally Championship win after leading from the second stage to the finish.

Meirion Evans recovered well to move to fifth in the BRC points race.

Armstrong said: “This has been something we have been working towards. 

“Shane and I had a nice little cry on the way from the stop line to the finish - thankfully it was quite far! Honestly, I was so emotional going into the final stage, but I just kept it parked in the middle of the road and kept it sensible. 

“It was nice to show what we can do, but I just wanted to get to the finish.

“There has been a lot of hard work and a lot of years rallying to get to this moment, and this was a great result for Shane and I but also for M-Sport. A 1-2 in the ERC and BRC it can’t get any better than that. 

“It’s going to take a long time to sink in, but we can still go for the European title in Croatia - anything's possible.”

READ MORE: Crunch Time As European and British Title Contenders Head to Rali Ceredigion

Behind them, Estonians Romet Jürgenson and Siim Oja claimed second overall on their ERC four-wheel-drive debut, while Poland’s Miko Marczyk and Szymon Gospodarczyk finished third to strengthen their European title bid.

In the British Rally Championship points race, William Creighton and Liam Regan’s podium gives them the advantage heading into the final round in north Wales next month. 

Welsh pairing Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss recovered well from a Saturday setback to climb into fifth in the BRC standings, keeping slim title hopes alive.

The National Rally was dominated by Jersey driver Sam Touzel and co-driver Max Freeman, who built a near four-minute lead after winning all but one stage.

Touzel said: “I only started rallying a few years ago and we have tried so hard and done all the development with the right people to get to this stage. 

“To have someone like Max [Freeman] alongside - you can’t buy his knowledge and I wouldn’t be here without him, the team and all the family - thank you.

“It’s such a relief, and what an event to win. A massive thanks to all the organisers and everyone who put this event on - it’s been brilliant, the stages have been mega!”