RALLY fans and classic car enthusiasts descended on Llandrindod Wells for the HERO - Per Ardua Ad Infinitum - Wales event on Saturday.

The event that has built its reputation over a short period as anything but a winter warmer and contested over two days ogver 400 miles based in Llandrindod Wells, starting from the ‘Rally Hall of Fame’ Hotel, the Metropole and a brace of tests back at the Royal Welsh Showground,

The imperious Volvo PV544, driven by Dan Willan and navigated by Niall Frost took a commanding victory.

The all-important battle for the Test Pilot award between the Escorts of Mick Valentine and John Dunning continued for most of the second day.

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Onward to the final act then and the afternoon saw a return to Epynt for the last opportunity to enjoy the famous old roads, before two final tests back at the Royal Showground.

The Escorts were flying, both drivers pushing hard to claw time back on the overall competition and perhaps snatch the test pilot award away from Dan Willan.

There was a slight delay to proceedings when car 24, the Volvo Amazon of Peter Higton and Daisy Walker suffered an engine fire on the start line of the final test but with it swiftly extinguished and everyone safe the action resumed as rain blew across the ranges.

Kurt Vanderspinnen and Iain Tullie took second place after a well-deserved ascent while third would eventually end up back in the hands of John Dunning and Henry Carr.

An action-packed and exciting event to begin HERO-ERA’s season with well-deserved winners and an engaging fight for the podium. Everyone else only added to a dynamic and exciting rally that was at times breathless.

This is only the third time the Per Ardua ad Infinitum banner has flown above an event, but if the standard of the competition and the enjoyment of the competitors is anything to go by, then this is an event we see many more times in the future as well