NORTH Yorkshire driver Ryan Champion and his Pocklington co-driver Craig Thorley notched their best-ever win by storming to victory in the Pirelli International Rally.
In his first event as a Mitsubishi works driver Champion, from Castleton, near Whitby, beat a string of former champions to win the Carlisle-based British Rally Championship event.
He finished top of the pile after 114 miles of gravel stages, mainly in the Kielder Forest, with Mark Higgins second in a Subaru Impreza.
It was nip and tuck until the 14th and 15th stages when Champion recorded the fastest time and crossed the line in front.
"I am thrilled that we beat so many good drivers and former champions," said Champion.
He and Thorley will be hoping to build on their big win at the Jim Clark Rally in the Scottish Borders on July 7 and 8.
The Pirelli also saw a welcome return to top notch action for Huggate, near Pocklington, driver Jonny Milner. A former double British champion, Milner, finished fifth with co-driver Nicky Beech in another Mitsubishi Lancer.
Updated: 11:37 Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article