A HEREFORDSHIRE farmer was celebrating at the weekend after being crowned British Historic National Rally champion.

Roger Chilman was joined by co-driver Patrick Walsh and the pair came away with the series honours after a after a titanic battle all year where consistency won over outright speed at times.

The result is the highlight of Chilman’s career after switching from modern to historic rally cars years ago.

He followed his father Roger Snr with rallying success at the top level.

"It's been a fantastic year for us, Meirion and the boys at Wales Motorsport have given us a fantastic car, to win any championship you need reliability and we've had that,” said Chilman.

“Patrick has been superb all year, a true professional. A huge thanks to all my sponsors without them none of this would be possible, so this is for them. It has been a proper team effort; we will enjoy this then get ready for the RAC in five weeks’ time which has the most phenomenal entry."

The final blows in a tight championship were planned to be dealt during 8.73 miles of racing on Friday night in the notorious Kielder Forest before a further six tests on Saturday – forming the Kielder Water Carlisle Stages.

However, Storm Babet put pay to Friday night plus there was some doubt about Saturday at one point.

Sterling work by clerk of the course Nicola Heppenstall and her team made sure Saturday's 44 miles took place offering a tremendous challenge with a fitting finale to the championship.

The entry included all the top names in British Historic rallying with former Citroën & Mini works driver Kris Meeke adding to the quality doing some pre-RAC testing in a Wales Motorsport Escort RS1800.

The job for Chilman was simple, if rival Nick Elliott won the event in his Fiat 131 then he had to finish no lower than fourth and the title was his.

However, it wasn't going to be that straight forward given the names on the entry list meaning anything was possible especially in the narrow slippery tracks of Kielder.

"I know it's mine to lose but Nick is very capable of winning and that puts the pressure on me, so it's all play for I need to drive my own rally and hope Kielder is kind to me for once," said Chilman ahead of the event.

However, luck would be on the Herefordshire driver’s side when after just a few miles of the opening Tommy’s Fell test, his rival Elliott slid off and beached the Fiat 131 in the mud.

Nine minutes passed before Elliott was free of his muddy hollow and with it all chance of the title.

Elliott philosophically said: "It wasn't our day today but that's rallying, these things happen and the car is in one piece.

“We’ll do a few more stages for match practice then call it a day. Many congratulations to Roger and Patrick." 

From then on Chilman used the remaining mileage for some RAC testing, finishing a fine third overall as the Wales Motorsport prepared car never missed a beat 

Another Herefordshire resident Dan Petrie, whose reputation grows with every event, also had a good weekend co-driving Gareth James to an excellent second overall of the BHRC crews.

In the Gareth James Motorsport, Bluesky Escort RS1800, their car never missed a beat as the duo also prepare for the forthcoming RAC rally.

The duo could well prove dark horses for the marathon five-day event.