Battling it out over nine competitive stages in driving rain and high winds in forests in the Conwy Valley and Denbighshire, the 2022 title winner fell behind in the early stages to McRae who pulled away to build a small lead, only to lose it with a spin which saw Pryce left with a 15 seconds advantage.

The other Welshman in with a chance of the championship, Meirion Evans, was also in the fight, but saw his hopes crushed when he went off the road on the fifth stage, and was unable to re-join the fray, while after mid-day service, McRae set off with grim determination to claw back the lost time on the second loop of stages.

It all came down to the final stage when Pryce and co-driver James Morgan hung on to win by just 1.2 seconds.

Osian Pryce in action (Image: Submitted)

He said: “I never thought I’d be in the position to win this title again. We’ve had our ups and downs since the last one, but I’ve kept persevering and it just goes to show that everyone who everyone who has helped me, as long as I get the support I can put it together on the day.”

Matthew Hirst has secured his sixth Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship title after a storming victory on the Cambrian’s Interclub Rally in his Delta Salvage/Witham Motorsport/Speedline Corse Škoda Fabia R5.

Third after the opening stage, Matthew and co-driver Declan Dear took the lead of the Interclub section with the fastest time through Clocaenog (SS4), arriving at the midday service halt after Hiraethog (SS5) with a 1.5-second advantage.

The Doncaster driver then dominated the afternoon, setting the fastest Interclub time on each of the final three stages in his JD Rallysport-prepared Škoda to win by 32.4 seconds.

Matthew's performance also earned him victory among the Protyre Autocare BTRDA Rally Series contenders, completing a successful day in both championships.

Organised by the North Wales Car Club, the Lewis & Hunter Cambrian Rally started and finished in Llandudno, and in addition to the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship, hosted rounds of the Protyre Autocare British Trials and Rally Drivers Association Championship, the UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, the ANWCC Forest Rally and Ladies and All Rounders championships, The TCS Plant Rally Challenge, the Celtic Micra Challenge, and the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE and UK.