Ex-European Rally Champion driver, Chris Ingram gave the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 its first UK victory when he won the 2024 Nicky Grist Stages in the Castrol MEM Rally Team car, writes Mark Griffin.

In doing so he adds his name to a prestigious list of past event winners.

Co-driven by American Alex Kihurani, the 2019 FIA European Rally Champion finished 14.7 seconds ahead of Irish crew, Keith Cronin/Shane Buckley (Ford Fiesta Rally2), while Ingram’s stablemate Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) completed the podium, rounding off an excellent event for the Carmarthenshire-based Castrol MEM (Melvyn Evans Motorsport) Team.

Ex-European Rally Champion Chris Ingram and co-driver Alex Kihurani blast their Toyota Yaris Rally2 through the Monument stage above Cefn Gorwydd to a popular victory
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Eight Forest stages on loose gravel roads around Cefn Gorwydd, Tirabad and Epynt lay ahead of the 118 crews who were flagged away from outside the Strand Hall by Builth Wells Mayor Cllr. Gwyn Davies.

Strand Street in Builth Wells was a hive of activity as the popular rally event took centre stage at the weekend
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In ideal rallying conditions it was Ingram who held a slender lead as the cars returned for midday service on the Builth Wells RFC pitch and he extended that advantage when the Llyn Login (near Cwmowen). Monument, Halfway and Bowlsey/Crychan stages were repeated in the afternoon.

There were tremendous battles right through the field, with Elliot Payne/Tom Woodburn claiming victory in the Protyre BTRDA Series section, Russ Thompson/Stephen Link taking home maximum points in the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship and Mark Thomas/Philip Mackay coming out on top in the Defender Rally Series UK Championship.

Local co-driver Lucy Gutteridge partnered Alan Desbois in his unique rear wheel drive Peugeot 306. After a great event, bitter disappointment followed on the last stage when a front wheel puncture dropped the pairing from a class leading position to fourth.

Dai Jones and Glyn Price from Pentrefelin piloted the trusty BMW and as usual had an enjoyable run through familiar local stages, finishing 53rd, 6th in class.

Dai Jones and Glyn Price hurled the BMW into 53rd position
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Both Brecon and Epynt motor clubs provided volunteer marshals, allowing the event to run smoothly and safely.

The rally attracted several thousand visitors to Builth Wells and the surrounding Powys and Carmarthenshire region and the event is indebted to the wonderful support received from Powys County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council,Builth Wells Town Council, Builth Wells RFC, the businesses and residents of Builth Wells, Dyfed-Powys Police and landowners, Natural Resources Wales and Defence Infrastructure Organisation Wales (on which the stages ran) in making the event such a huge success.

“I’m so happy to win the Nicky Grist Stages,” said Chris Ingram.

“It’s been a really fantastic event. I’ve had a great battle with Keith Cronin, and we came away with the win in the end after a strong afternoon. We got some good miles in the new Toyota and it’s great to get the Yaris Rally2’s first win on UK soil.”

Rally action continues in the area next weekend with the two-day Nigel Ferguson Fabricators Tour of Epynt Rally - action starts on Saturday afternoon and continues on Sunday.