LOCAL rally driver John Freeman was presented with the ‘star of the day’ trophy at the Nicky Grist Rally based in Builth Wells in Wales.

It goes to the driver who most impresses the rally organisers in the novice category, which had some 25 entrants, Nicky Grist, a former world champion co-driver with the late Colin McRae, complimented John on his driving when he presented him with the award.

John, aged 19, from Brompton Regis, was driving in only his fifth rally but was beat many more powerful cars in his Nissan Micra one-litre car.

Accompanied by his father Duncan, who co-drives, he next heads to Ludlow for the latest round of the British Trial and Rally Drivers Association Forest Series, the largest loose surface championship in the country with more than 180 competitors.

The day will involve driving some 40 miles of forest tracks with road sections in between, and the organisers have seeded him ahead of more than 30 more powerful and faster cars.

John started driving at the age of eight on his grandparents’ farm near Wiveliscombe, and has always shown great aptitude and flair - something he possibly inherited from his grandfather ,who took up motor racing at the age of 70.