Richmond-based Jake Humphrey, the BBC TV motor racing presenter, has been hailed for co-driving Tony Jardine to second in the N3 class and 28th out of 70 starters overall at last weekend’s Cambrian Rally.

Humphrey, making his debut as a co-driver, admitted: “It was the most exhilarating, scary and educating afternoon of my life. "

The first stage was petrifying because I couldn't believe that we were driving so fast just inches away from the trees. Slowly Tony and I started working together, and got faster in the car.

"We ended the day by being the fastest in our class on the last stage, finishing second in class overall - the perfect end to a great day.”

And Twickenham business Jardine was full of praise for the way Humphrey acquitted himself. “We really threw him in at the deep end yet his performance belied his lack of experience,” said Jardine.

“The rally itself was very fast and demanding, and extremely rough at times.

"I think Jake was amazed by the number of wrecked cars on the stages, including an upturned rally car in our path on stage four at Penmachno.”