Powell and Lewis come good as Black and Gilbey suffer fuel issues
Over the opening two stages, Callum Black/michael Gilbey opened up a five-second lead in the 1400cc category, before their MG ZR suffered fuel pressure issues costing over two minutes and dropping them to fourth at the finish.
Taking over the lead were Chris Powell/ Jim Lewis, after a good morning. “It was a bit scrappy because we were trying really hard. We’ve got a healthy lead, so we’ll go at a sensible pace to make sure we finish,” Powell said at service. True to his word, the Talbot Sunbeam driver backed off to ensure the class win and maintain his championship challenge.
Second went to Steve Black/paul Morris, who found the early going slippery in their Suzuki Swift and were in a battle with fellow Swift crew Dan Evans/jessica Hockley, with the pair closely matched despite Black suffering a spin near the end of SS4.
In the afternoon, it was Black who had the edge, securing the runner-up spot as Evans struggled for grip following an incorrect tyre choice.
In the Historic section, George Lepley was beaten for the first time this year by Jason Pritchard as Irish visitors Martin Mccormack/barney Mitchell finished third in their Ford Escort Mk2. Hywel Davies/simon Jones won class H1/2 in their Escort Mk2.
Matthew Hirst and Tommi Meadows were the top two Junior drivers, though third-placed Lepley maintains his championship lead, as leading co-driver Tom Murphy moves up to second in the series behind Keaton Williams.
In the Fiesta ST Trophy, Bobby Mitchell/shannon Turnbull took their first win of the year, as championship-leader Zak Hughes retired with suspension issues.
First-time Irish visitors Ruairi Maguire/grace O’brien had a great run to win class B10, despite a broken shock absorber on their Vauxhall Corsa.