Rally enthusiasts were treated to the first stage rally event to run at Castle Combe since 1983, when the Lombard RAC rally ran a stage there as part of the World Rally series.

Bath Motor Club ran a two-day 10 stage, single venue event as part of the ASWMC on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29.

ACSMC and Cotswold Motorsport Group championship rounds attracted competitors from over the UK.

Dave Whittock, rally manager for the event, said: “ We were delighted to bring a rally stage event to this area hiring the Combe Circuit to bring  a competitive rally for the first time in four decades."

The event attracted 70 competing cars, which took part in 10 timed special stages over the two days.

It started with scrutineering and documentation on the Saturday morning, commencing the rally at 1pm. The afternoon consisted of four special stages and on Sunday a further six stages, all on tarmac, giving a total of 44 stage miles.

Spectators were welcome for both days, with viewing at both Quarry and Camp corners and in the service area

David Whittock added: "It brings us great pleasure to have David Apple by Engineering on board, this is a local company all about quality and perfection in all their engineering projects. This fits well with Bath Motor Club ethos in event organisation."

Stage rallies mainly take place in the forests and comprise of loops of competitive sections, or stages, with the winner being the crew (driver and co-driver) that completes them all in the lowest aggregate time.

Winner of the event was northerner, Michael Igoe with co driver Will Atkins with a collective time of 47 minutes and 3 seconds in the Citroen Rs.

Peter Elkins of Westbury partnered by Andrew Joll took fifth overall with a time of 48 minutes and 59 seconds in their WRC Ford Fiesta.

Peter said: "I am delighted with the result, of fifth overall having been seeded at number 10 and welcome the return of competitive stage rallies  here in Wiltshire "