AS the form book suggested reigning World Champion Sebastian Ogier and co-driver Julian Ingressia displayed a virtuoso performance storming to victory on last week's Wales Rally GB.
Ogier driving a VW Polo R led the three-day event from start to finish in some of the worst driving conditions in recent history.
Torrential rain and gale force winds battered the forests of mid and north Wales but Ogier was never challenged after team mate Jari-Matti Latvala from Finland put his VW Polo R off the road on only the second times stage in Sweet Lamb near Llanguirig.
Such is the dominance of the Volkswagen and Ogier, the World Champion cruised over the next two days, however after the events in Paris over the weekend the Frenchman was in no mood to celebrate his third victory in a row on the rally and as a small sign of support dedicated the victory to the memory of all those who lost their lives and everybody else affected by the tragic events.
Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke was the only driver anywhere near Ogier pace after Latvala’s exit. The Citroen man put in a near-faultless run in his DS 3 WRC to take second position overall and secure runners up spot for Citroen in the manufacturers' title race, edging out Hyundai.
Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen took the final podium place after a strong run to third position in his Volkswagon Polo and in the process took the same spot in the final drivers’ championship table.
Welsh favorite Elfyn Evans managed to salvaged sixth place at the finish after a disappointing rally in his M Sport Fiesta WRC. Unfortunately the Dolgellau youngster suffered a rear puncture on the second run through the long Hafren stage and lost a minute and a half to his rivals dropping him to ninth.
Evans showed occasional winning pace with second fastest time through the super fast Aberhirnant test run in darkness.
Hafren forest is one of the classic tests in British rallying was again marshalled by Epynt Motor Club and headed by stage commander Mike Kennett. With the adverse weather conditions the marshals were again the unsung hero’s and backbone of the event, often in position for several hours before and after the competing cars have passed.
F1 refugee Robert Kubica survived this rally finishing in ninth position. After numerous and too many off road excursions during the season Kubica is unlikely to continue his rally career and is rumored to return to racing in the German Touring Championship.
Local crew Graham Middleton and Steve McPhee had a disappointing run in the National rally when their usually reliable Hyundai Coupe succumbed to hub failure causing retirement on the first day.
Newtown proved and ideal location for the remote service on Friday afternoon with the Main Street being closed to accommodate the rally. Considerable effort had been made by the town council to welcome the event to the Powys town.
Next year the rally is provisionally set to run a few weeks earlier and won’t form the final round of the championship - hopefully the equivalent of Storm Abigail also won’t be present.