NORTH Yorkshire rally partnership Warren Philliskirk and Matt Whattam produced a creditable display in the Dukeries Rally.

The event, the fifth round of the British Trials and Rally-Drivers’ Association Championship, set off from Southwell racecourse, near Newark, and featured nine special stages in the Sherwood Forest.

After pushing through the first test, Philliskirk and Whattam’s Ford Escort Mk II cut out at the finish line and would not restart.

Several unsuccessful attempts were made to push start the crew by finish marshals and once they returned to their duties it was left to Green Hammerton’s Philliskirk and Whattam, of Cliffe to push the car down the public road before being defeated prompting Whattam to run to the main road to seek help.

Penalties for lateness were ticking away and with no attempt to make repairs, they realised they would have to make it through the next three stages without stalling before getting to the main service area.

But at the start of the third stage the engine stalled. A tow finally got the car back to arrival control just before they were timed out.

To add to the problems, second gear failed and as they headed into the last five stages their lead over closest championship rivals Terry Brown and Tomos Whittle was down to 15 seconds.

By the final stage that advantage was a single second. Both crews went flat out for the finish with the Yorkshire duo just hanging on to pip their main contenders and to claim 25th overall and second in class.

With the winner not registered, the York team extended their lead in the Historic Cup and the Silver Star Championship for two-wheel-drive cars. Round six is the Quinton Stages Rally in Wales on July 9.