THICK ice made the 2012 Wyedean a true test of man and machine.

Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley raced to overall victory in their Ford Focus, but just as eye-catching was the performance of Julian Wilkes and Will Rutherford, who somehow brought their 1400cc Vauxhall Nova home third overall, a fabulous achievement against a plethora of superior powered world rally cars.

Runners-up Shaun Gardener and Ben Innes (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO5.9) were more than three minutes behind the winners at the finish.

The Subaru Impreza of Nigel Griffiths and Jon Scott came fourth, while leading championship contender Roger Chilman and Bryan Thomas (Impreza) climbed back from a lowly 30th place after the opening stage to take fifth. Although not particularly deep, the snow that had fallen in the days leading up to the rally had frozen on the tracks, making the going very difficult for the entry of 179 crews.

A total of 122 crews made it to the finish, but 57 did not.

Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank (Ford Focus WRC) set the fastest time through the opening stage, Sallowvallets, and looked on course for another victory, but three punctures left them with no spare tyres and they had to retire.

Top seeds Steve Perez and Paul Spooner also found trouble.

Running as high as second overall at one point, their Ford Focus WRC left the road midway through the event, damaging its suspension and removing a front wheel.

Paul Davy and Roger Allan's Subaru Impreza was the first Group N 'production' car home in sixth place overall, while Dave Bennett and Alistair McNeil, returning to the sport after a sabbatical in 2011, were one place behind in their 1400cc Vauxhall Corsa.

After the first stage of the day, 2010 & 2011 BTRDA Rally First champions Ashley Slights and Tom Hughes were lying fourth overall in their Toyota Yaris but, later in the day, the car left the road forcing the crew into their first retirement in more than two years.

The wintry conditions were not suited to those two-wheel drive cars contesting the historic category. The historic winners were Peter Smith and Paul Wakely whose Ford Escort was 52nd overall.

Bob Gibbons and Stuart Cardell were next, also taking a class win in their Ford Cortina MK2.