Round 4, Hartnoll Farm, Tiverton - August 16th/17th

Bamber Bridge driver Dan Lofthouse maintained his overnight lead and clinched a dramatic victory in the fourth round of the 2008 Britpart MSA British Cross-Country Championship (BCCC) at Hartnoll Farm, near Tiverton in Devon, on Sunday.

The LD4 Proto driver managed to complete the 11 timed runs over a tricky stage held in mixed conditions 20 seconds quicker than Broadbottom-based runner-up Martin Gould to record his first win of the season to follow up last year's Baja GB National 'A' success (pictured left).

Huddersfield's Richard Kershaw began the second day in third place and retained a similar position at the end to retain and extend his overall lead in the six-round championship.

Thirty-one of the original 40 starters reached the finish and Deeside's Neil Davey claimed fourth position, albeit 44 seconds behind Kershaw's Peugeot. These four were in a class of their own over the slippery and muddy stage and fifth-placed Tim Dilworth, from Holywell, managed to climb from 10th and finished over five minutes adrift of Davey after the latter's problems on Saturday.

Results (unofficial)

1. Dan Lofthouse (Bamber Bridge)                   Lofthouse Proto RD4               1h 06m 11s

2. Martin Gould (Broadbottom, Hyde)                Matseratti                                1h 06m 31s

3. Richard Kershaw (Huddersfield)                  Peugeot 206 Evo9                   1h 08m 13s

4. Neil Davey (Deeside)                                    GSR 206 Evo                           1h 08m 57s

5. Tim Dilworth (Holywell)                                 Peugeot 206 STi                      1h 14m 23s

6. Steve Lloyd (Ambaston, Derby)                   Milner R4                                 1h 14m 51s