In the event, the grim October weather had more than a frisson of foreboding about it; as if we’d angered the fates by even contemplating it. Nevertheless, we did. The greatest driver’s cars of the year have just had their pockets emptied for your reading pleasure.

We’ve slithered and splashed our way around Exmoor and Wiltshire, in supercars, sports cars, track cars and hot hatchbacks, because who’d let a bit of rain prevent that?

Usually we have separate Best Driver’s Car and Best Affordable Driver’s Car tests. This year, for practical reasons peculiar to our present times, we’ve run both starting grids together into one big package. What you’re about to read is what resulted from a couple of days driving our more affordable contestants amid the misty fields of Exmoor – followed by a couple more driving our pricier runners and riders on a sodden Castle Combe circuit and nearby roads. You can read the full story using the links below.

Britain's best driver's car: the main event | Cheap thrills: Britain's best affordable driver's car

Shortly, therefore, we will name two champions. And yet, still, there can only be one outright winner.