COUNTY drivers took a clean sweep of the podium at the Nicky Gist stages recently.

The Builth Wells based event attracted an excellent entry, for the latest rounds of both BTRDA and Welsh championships.

The event saw drivers complete two loops of four stages, interspersed with a midday service in Builth Wells town centre, in dry dusty conditions.

In the 1400 section of the rally it was Chris Powell and Jim Lewis, in the Herefordshire Raceway Sunbeam, who took victory and 28th overall.

They finished well over a minute ahead of Steve Black and Ross-on-Wye based Paul Morris in the SBG Suzuki Swift S1400 who finished 42nd.

Making it a Herefordshire clean sweep of podium positions was Allensmore youngster Dan Evans with Jess Hockley on the notes in the KGD Services & Hockley Motorsport Suzuki Swift.

They had a very good run to 47th overall and third 1400 car home.

Ludlow duo Perry Gardner & Keaton Williams in the TNT Tyres, Selley Auto Service Ford Fiesta R2 took an excellent 21st overall and second in class to extend there lead in the R2 Cup.

The duo had a good clean run until late drama when they left the road on the flying finish of the stage, hitting the bank hard.

On inspection at the stop line the car was loosing oil and still had the road section back to the finish in Builth Wells to negotiate, but some quick thinking sorted it out, and the duo were well pleased with the result, and extended the lead in the R2 Cup,which they hope to wrap up on the next round the Woodpecker stages, there home rally.

Both championships now take a short break before resuming in September on the Ludlow based Woodpecker Stages.