2005 Silverstone Rally School Lady Quest winner Clare Rhodes made a successful debut at National A level in the Swansea Bay National Rally on Saturday.

Southampton-based driver Rhodes and co-driver Gemma Price brought home their Silverstone Rally School-backed 1400cc MG ZR 35th overall with Rhodes also picking up her first award as the crew won the amalgamated A7 class.

It was the 27-year-old's first rally at National A standard after she upgraded her competition licence from a National B following the Dukeries Rally in June. But it was also her last event under the Lady Quest scholarship as she will now hand over the keys to the rally car to the new winner of the £35,000 sponsorship package at the 2006 final on September 5.

Rhodes, who had no previous motorsport experience before winning Lady Quest, has now completed five rallies, plus the daunting Lombard Revival Rally, since beating off competition from nine other finalists last year. She made sure she ended her season on a high as she finished the rally with little drama across the 70 miles of gravel stages before bidding an emotional farewell to the Silverstone Rally School team at the finish ramp in Swansea.

"It was a fantastic event and I really enjoyed my day but I was also very sad at the end with it being my last rally under the Lady Quest scheme," Rhodes said. "I'm so chuffed to have finished my first National A event and was even more pleased to take home my first-ever award for winning the class, it's a great feeling.

"The stages were dusty and rough in places. It was also very slippery because it was so dry and it was a bit hair-raising at times as well as being really hot. Walters Arena was like driving on marbles, but I was so excited to be actually doing Walters Arena as I've watched there on Wales Rally GB and it was great to be doing a stage that is used by the World Rally Championship (WRC) and to have a co-driver alongside me who has competed in the WRC made it even more special.

"The end of the event was very emotional, the Lady Quest scholarship has been a fantastic opportunity and I've really enjoyed myself. I now hope to continue with my rallying next season but I'm currently trying to find some sponsorship to help me do this."