CARMARTHEN racing driver Rhys Lloyd achieved his goal at the Dubai 24 Hour at the weekend, earning a place on the podium after completing the demanding endurance event.

The forty-year-old finished third in his class at the all-day-and-all-night race at Dubai Autodrome in the United Arab Emirates, after falling short on his previous two attempts.

Lloyd, a Carmarthen-based property businessman and founder of the Dragon Sport racing team, was part of a four-man French outfit, Circuit Toys with Toyota Gazoo Racing France. He competed in a Toyota Supra GT4 Evo2 and was the only Welshman in the field, which included almost 286 drivers across 68 cars.

Speaking on the flight home, he said: “The aim of the weekend was to get to the end of the event and see what the outcome was. To come third in class and also being so close to getting second place on the last lap after twenty-four hours of racing, was just brilliant.

“The event was fantastic to be part of and we gave it everything we could as a team and personally. The car was incredible and didn’t let us down through the twenty-four hours which is such a great test for the vehicle.”

Lloyd said warmer-than-usual conditions added to the challenge, alongside what he described as one of the strongest entries for years.

“The level of competition was the highest for many years with the biggest entry,” he said. “The general race pace over the twenty-four hours was high.

“I felt quite relaxed going into the event with me having some experience from the previous two years of competing. I had a reasonable level of expectations and knowing what to expect over the race period.”

He added that the most difficult period came overnight and at first light, when incidents across the field tested teams’ concentration.

“The night and dawn were particularly challenging times of the race with many incidents at these times of the race to navigate through,” he said.

The Dubai 24 Hour, first held in 2006, is regarded as a major winter endurance fixture for international GT teams, with crews typically sharing driving duties across four or five drivers. The event’s long hours of darkness are seen as one of its defining tests, with more than half the race run at night.

Lloyd previously competed in 2020 and 2021 but failed to reach the finish on either occasion — once due to a mechanical issue and once after an accident.

With this year’s podium secured, he said attention is already turning to the rest of 2026.

“We are now finalising plans for the start of the 2026 season in April,” he said. “We are hopeful to be able to continue with a programme with Toyota for the season. Our next aim will be to compete in the 12 Hour of Mugello in Italy.”

Lloyd’s motorsport career began in karting, where he won Welsh titles in 1999 and 2000. He later moved into rallying and circuit racing, with notable success including the 2008 Welsh Sports and Saloon Car Championship. After a period away from regular competition to focus on business, he returned to endurance racing, recording major results in European long-distance events and in Britcar — winning the 2023 Britcar Endurance Championship overall.

Picture caption: Delighted: Carmarthen’s Rhys Lloyd on the rostrum after completing the Dubai 24 Hour race.

Rhys Lloyd – notable success

• 1999 Welsh Karting Champion
• 2000 Welsh Karting Champion
• 2006 Cambrian Rally class winner; Tour of Epynt class winner
• 2007 Tom Price Trophy winner
• 2008 LMA Euro National Saloon Car Champion
• 2008 Welsh Sports and Saloon Car Champion
• 2020 Hockenheim 18hr (Germany) class winner – VW Golf TCR (Autorama)
• 2021 Hockenheim 18hr runner-up – VW Golf TCR (Autorama)
• 2021 Paul Ricard 12hr (France) runner-up – VW Golf TCR (Autorama)
• 2023 Britcar Endurance Championship (UK) overall and class champion

A SPIKY encounter at Cwmamman Park ended in abandonment with literally seconds remaining after an altercation between the referee and members of the Milford Haven coaching team on the touchline.

Amman appeared to have rescued victory from the jaws of defeat with a last-gasp try from skipper Rhydian Jones and Lee Evans’ cool conversion. But the match ultimately finished in confusion after the referee decided to abandon the contest in the dying moments.

The first half was a scrappy affair, played largely in midfield, with both sides cancelling each other out and little attacking play inside either 22. Amman’s defence stood firm, the scrum was rock solid and the lineout functioned well.

Keelan Griffiths and Dylan Lloyd enjoyed some bright moments in the backs, while Alun Lewis, Cian Lewis, Matthew Madge and, in particular, “captain fantastic” Rhydian Jones made good yards for the home side.

Amman lost flanker Owain Brayley early on after a leg injury and he was taken to hospital, with Caian Francis coming on in his place.

From a lineout and driving maul, Alun Lewis was hauled down short of the line, but the next phase saw him surge over from close range after 25 minutes. It proved to be the only score of a tight first half, with Amman deserving their lead.

The second half grew increasingly tetchy and, following a dust-up in midfield, Milford’s prop and Amman’s Shaun Watkins were both shown yellow cards.

Amman made a front-row change with Daniel James entering the fray, but the home side spent long periods under pressure as the visitors turned the screw. Milford enjoyed a sustained spell hammering at the tryline and, after Amman’s defence had held out for ten minutes, the dam finally broke when the visitors drove over from close range with around eight minutes remaining.

Amman then conceded a penalty and Milford, with confidence growing, ate up more of the clock before slotting the kick to move ahead at 10-5, seemingly sealing the win.

But with virtually the last play, Iestyn Griffiths kicked to touch, Amman won the lineout and the forwards took it on before Jones crept over for a scrappy try to level the scores. Evans still had the conversion to make — and he calmly landed it.

With the referee consulting his watch and play disrupted by an injury to a Milford player, the Milford staff then entered the pitch in the dying seconds, sparking an altercation and a prolonged discussion with the referee. Moments later, the match was abandoned, leaving players and supporters scratching their heads.

It was unclear afterwards whether the result would stand, or whether the fixture would have to be replayed.

EAST Williamston maintained their strong form with a 6-4 win over Reynalton, while St Twynnells and St Johns both recorded emphatic 10-0 victories against Badgers and Lamphey respectively.

Carew edged past Llanteg 6-4, and Hundleton beat Kilgetty 7-3.

There was also one catch-up match played, with East Williamston taking an 8-2 win away at Carew. Cosheston had a bye.

Results
Carew 6 Llanteg 4
Hundleton 7 Kilgetty 3
East Williamston 6 Reynalton 4
St Twynnells 10 Badgers 0
St Johns 10 Lamphey 0

Catch-up match
Carew 2 East Williamston 8

Bye: Cosheston

League table (after Week 13)
Team – Played / Won / Drawn / Lost / Shot diff / Points

East Williamston – 12 / 10 / 0 / 2 / +137 / 86
St Johns – 12 / 7 / 1 / 4 / +80 / 72
Hundleton – 12 / 7 / 1 / 4 / +26 / 69
Reynalton – 12 / 5 / 2 / 5 / +29 / 62
Carew – 12 / 6 / 0 / 6 / -49 / 59
St Twynnells – 11 / 5 / 2 / 4 / -13 / 58
Kilgetty – 12 / 5 / 0 / 7 / -57 / 49
Llanteg – 10 / 4 / 0 / 6 / -27 / 47
Badgers – 12 / 3 / 1 / 8 / -80 / 45
Lamphey – 12 / 5 / 0 / 7 / -33 / 44
Cosheston – 9 / 3 / 1 / 5 / -13 / 40

Results submitted by Steve Cox, league fixtures secretary.