A HEREFORDSHIRE driver claimed a fantastic class win at the Wales Rally GB.

Bob Beales, from Sutton St Nicholas, guided his 1958 VW Oettinger GT Beetle to victory following a challenging weekend in the North Wales forests.

Driving for Team Colorado, competed against the likes of Jimmy McRae, father of the legendary Colin McRae, in the historic class.

But Beales, who was partnered by VrDMotorsport's Dave Vardy, stormed to an excellent win.

"I was very lucky to do this event and because I had some tremendous sponsorship," said Beales, who took part in the Monte Carlo Rally 25 years ago.

"VW Heritage (vwheritage.com) have been supplying bits and pieces and I've also had help from Falken Tyres and Miller Oils.

"Scalectrix also has their name on the car.

"In 1966, I bought the Beetle and did rallies and autograss events so I could use it for the motorsport season.

"I then put it away in 1980 when I got married and had children, but in 1990 I did the Monte Carlo Historique and I started using it quite excessively until about 1995.

"It is a 1958 Beetle and is has not been moderated too much, so it has taken quite a pounding."

Bill Bengry initially started using the car in rallies in 1961 before it was bought by Beales.

The Wales Rally GB also featured the likes of Andreas Mikkelsen and three-time WRC champion Sébastien Ogier.

Beales and Vardy's Beetle, nicknamed 'Bertie, the Yellow Peril' sustained mechanical problems during the race, including the left front stub axle being sheared.

But thanks to the help of Warner Lewis of Lewis Rally Sport and Rallying History, the required parts for the repair came to the Deeside service area.

The team worked until the early hours of the Sunday morning to get 'Bertie' back on four wheels, despite torrential rain and high winds.

And after nearly 300km of competitive rallying, 'Bertie', along with Beales and Vardy, took the win with a combined time of two hours, 53 minutes and 44.7 seconds.

Herefordshire Motor Club's Kevin and Mike Pugh also competed in the rally.

After the cancellation of the first stage in Hafren, the crew were soon into 'sweet Lamb' and then Myherin before the long journey back to Deeside.

The father and son pairing moved up to 42nd place overall after five stages before going to Alwyn and then a run round the Great Orme in Llandudno.

A power stage in Brenig then followed, which saw the crew finish 32nd overall and sixth in their class from a start number of 261.