THE mud-splattered final of the British Trial and Rally Drivers Association sporting trials was held in Kington earlier this month, with Duncan Stephens claiming the coveted Gold Star.

An off-road competition, drivers have to negotiate 30 treacherous hill-side sections in light-weight, custom-built buggies, not for time, but to complete as much of each stage as possible.

Among the toughest test of driver skill – the vehicles have a power to weight ratio similar to that of a Formula One car – around 400 competitors around the country fight it out for the 38 spots in the season’s big finale.

And this was the first time in four years the tour has been to Kington – regarded as one of the top 10 courses in the country.