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A mechanical problem with a part costing £2 ended Louise Cook’s hopes of winning the WRC3 Championship in her debut season.

Cook needed to win the Rally Spain to keep her dream alive going into the final round in Australia.

She was going along nicely in second place in her Ford Fiesta, ahead of rival Enrico Brazzoli, as they entered the long 40k stage.

But the car suddenly started to feel like it had no fuel, even though there was plenty, and the Maidstone driver had to limp along at 20mph for he rest of the stage. Having lost valuable time, the problem turned out to be a £2 engine wiring harness connector which had slightly loose terminals to the fuel pump sensor.

They got the car running again but the title was Brazzoli’s

Cook, sixth in the overall standings, said: “It is sad we didn’t get a chance to do our part in the championship and keep the pressure on.

“A win here in Spain would have taken the championship to Australia.”

Cook eventually finished third in class but not without more mechanical issues after a blown turbo.

She said: “We managed to finish Rally Spain and we’re glad of that. We nearly didn’t. For us it was not the most enjoyable event.

“If we return to Spain in 2019 maybe it will be kinder to us.

“We were so close we could nearly taste the championship but something about 20mm in size stopped it happening.

“We climbed to sixth place which is still a great position in the WRC3 championship from 24 drivers.

“If, by a miracle, we can find the funds to pay the Australian rally team to hire their car for the final round, then fourth position in the WRC3 standings is still possible, which would exceed the pre-season goal of fifth place.

“I just thought things may go our way and we might have been WRC3 champions in its final year.

“Once the car lets you down there is nothing more as a driver you can do.” A change at the front in Saturday’s Maidstone parkrun saw Philip Wakelin lead everyone home in 17min15sec. He was followed by Maxwell Phillips, second in 17.37, with Michal Bastrzyk third in a PB of 18.04. Leading lady was Harriette Woolley in 19.49, with Leona Franklin second again in 21.35 and Charlotte Bates (Maidstone Harriers) third in 21.56. Paul McAuliffe repeated his performance of three weeks ago by recording the highest age-graded score of 82.75%, finishing 13th overall in 19.54. There were 390 finishers. Steve Hough, third two weeks ago, ran a PB of 19.33 to win at Malling. Bob Hughes was second in 19.44 and Alan Spivey took third in 19.53. Joanne Phillips was the leading lady in 21.34, followed by Vera Hunter in 22.37 and Natalie Harris in 23.25. Melanie Evans (VW60-64) was the best age-graded scorer with 76.93% for 25.13 and 61st place overall. There were 242 runners.

Dragons Running Club athlete Tony Rea (VM70-74) finished the Beckley 10k in 57.27 for second place in his age group.