Hughes takes control

Welshpool rally ace Zak Hughes has picked up a second win from two events to take a tight grip at the top of the Fiesta ST Trophy national championship.

Hughes, with Tom Wood in the navigator’s seat, mastered the tough conditions at the second round of the BTRDA in Cockermouth, Cumbria, to win his class and also finish second overall in the two-wheel category.

“We left the start ramp with the ‘championship leader’ banner on the car and it was the intention to keep this on the car at the end of the day,” said Hughes.

“It wasn’t easy, as we were struck with heavy snowfall throughout all the morning’s stages. The conditions were extremely difficult, no one was ready for such weather and it made for lots of carnage in the first three stages.”

Hughes was lying second at the first service and thankfully no damage to the vehicle, with three seconds separating them from leader Bobby Mitchell and four stages to go.

“We had a big push in next four stages and turned the three-second defecate into a 22-second advantage with just one stage to go,” said Hughes.

“Unfortunately, Bobby retired from the rally before the last stage with a fuel rail issue. This made the final stage of the rally pressure free, as we cruised through to take two wins out of two rallies so far this year.”

His performance was also good enough to finish 13^th overall.

“It was an amazing day and has to be the best result of my career so far,” Hughes added.

“I really couldn’t believe it when I got called up to the two-wheel drive podium at the end of the rally. I’m really happy to have the lead in the Fiesta ST Trophy now, with two wins to my name it takes the pressure off a little bit as we have the early advantage.

“Hopefully we can keep this up all year and once again I just want to thank the sponsors, Philip Paul Car Centre and Powys Transport Ltd for their continued support.”