Matthew Hirst has become Pirelli Motorsport UK Welsh Rally champion for the sixth time after taking the Interclub victory on Saturday's Lewis and Hunter Cambrian Rally (October 24).
Hirst and co-driver Declan Dear swept to a maximum score on the Cambrian Rally, which was the sixth of seven rounds in this year's Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship and Hirst can no longer be beaten to the drivers' title.
This result marks Hirst's fifth Welsh championship victory in a row and his sixth title in total after another fine performance in his Skoda Fabia Rally2. However, co-driver Declan Dear is not yet confirmed as champion co-driver.
After missing the opening event of the season, Rally North Wales, Dear needs one more strong result and the pair will now contest the championship's final round, the Wyedean Stages on November 14 in a bid to confirm Dear as champion co-driver.
Hirst paid tribute to all of the marshals and officials who made the Cambrian possible as storms swept across North Wales. "The rally ran in incredibly challenging conditions and I take my hat off to everybody who stood out and marshalled on the event," said Hirst.
Apart from a 30-second penalty incurred at a virtual chicane, Hurst and Dear had a trouble-free run across some demanding forest stages to secure their success.
"We had the sort of day you dream of for the Cambrian, with no punctures or any problems. There's so many things on this event that can catch you out," he added.
