RALLY co-driver Keaton Williams was taught a host of lesson on his debut outing in the Wales Rally GB international rally last weekend.

Williams, who lives on the Herefordshire border, was co-driver for Irishman Josh McErlean in a Melvyn Evans motorsport run Hyundai i20 R5, this was McErlean's first drive in the car.

The pairing earned a place in the WRC2 category following McErlean winning the Junior British Rally Championship at the Ulster Rally in August.

The race started at Oulton Park circuit on a purposefully designed special stage incorporating sections of the picturesque track.

The very wet and slippery conditions turned up some surprising stage times, with Kris Meeke setting the fastest time 2.1 seconds from Thierry Neuville with Petter Solberg third quickest while British champion Matt Edwards finished seventh.

McErlean and Williams set the 33rd quickest time despite loosing time with a stall on the start line.

Friday's leg started with the notoriously difficult forests of Elsi and Penmachno, before moving on to the fast flowing roads of Dyfnant and Aberhirnant.

Racers then returned to Llandudno for a midday service, the later two stages were run in darkness on the second pass of the stages and the afternoon loop also saw the short Slate Mountain test added.

The Yaris WRC of Meeke headed into the midday service with a six second lead.

McErlean continued to set some impressive times in the Hyundai R5 to hold 24th after stage five.

"Its been a good start for us," said Williams after the stage.

"The last two were very slippery, but Josh is just playing himself in, given it's learn as we go."

The drier afternoon loop saw Meeke's lead being chipped away by Tanak and Ogier.

In the last test of the day, in the darkness of Aberhirnant, Tanak took the overnight lead with Sebastien Ogier three seconds behind and Meeke now third.

Sadly for McErlean and Williams stage six saw the end of the road, when mechanical issues saw them retire for the day after a very impressive start.

Tanak would hold his lead on the tricky Saturday and Sunday stages to win by 10 seconds from Neuville with Ogier in third.

"It's been very hard fight over long days and there was never more than 10 seconds between us," said Tanak.

"We have had to drive flat out, so the victory tastes sweeter for that."