Medi-Cell Sport’s Fred Field earned a podium finish in only his fourth rally after steering his Pentagon Vauxhall supported Vauxhall Adam Cup Car – co-driven by Scot Claire Mole – to second place in the British Rally Championship’s National Rally Cup on his debut in the series.

Despite one-minute intervals between cars in competitive stages, The Mansfield driver was regularly catching cars on the Ulster’s tight and twisty test, which were as difficult as they come for a novice driver. Mud, standing water, leaves and manure made for a lethal concoction on the surface of the asphalt stages.

Field ended the event 52nd overall despite driving the front-wheel-drive car against many more powerful four-wheel-drive machines.

Field, 22, said: “The Ulster Rally was a huge step up from anything I’ve done so far. Highly technical and tricky stages, covered in mud and extremely treacherous in places. We were delighted to get to the finish unscathed and, once again, amazed at the quality of the Vauxhall Adam – it never missed a beat all rally.”

Mole, from Dunns, said: I was so proud of Fred for getting such a great result on one of the toughest rallies I’ve ever known. We had a great time and that little Vauxhall Adam is an amazingly good car – it took everything that was thrown at it comfortably in its stride.”

Medi-Cell Sport’s next event is Rally Isle of Man on September 15-17. It will be the first time a Vauxhall Adam Cup car has visited the island for an international event.