WELSH National Rally Champion, Damian Cole and his Get Connected Hyundai Accent WRC, entertained the tens of thousands attending the UK’s premier racing car show, Autosport International, at the weekend with a series of head-to-head race-offs against Stephen Petch in an identical car.

The 4700-seat Live Action Arena at Birmingham's NEC allowed the public to enjoy an array of motor racing action throughout the four-day event, with Hereford's Cole one of the feature drivers, putting his Hyundai Accent WRC through its paces and demonstrating the skill and precision of high-speed rallying.

“It was exciting to be part of one of the world's top racing car shows," explained Cole. "Although it was pretty daunting at first to be racing in front of such large crowds. We took part in 13 exhibition races over four days and made sure that the crowds enjoyed the show.

“The car stood up well to the challenge and I'm looking forward to starting at Car 1 this coming Sunday on the first event of the season, the Red Kite Stages in Llandovery. ”