Round 2: Manx National Rally, 11-12 May

Melvyn Evans and co-driver Aled Davies consolidated their lead in the championship standings by winning the second round, the Manx National Rally.

Paul Bird and Jirsty Riddick led after the first two stages in Port Erin but then Evans and Davies set a scratch time on SS3 to move into a lead that they would maintain to the finish.

Bird took the runner-up spot ahead of defending champions Damian Cole and James Morgan, who counted themselves lucky to finish the event after their Focus’s gearbox oil temperature went sky-high over the final few stages.

Results1 Melvyn Evans / Aled Davies (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h36m58.3s2 Paul Bird / Kirsty Riddick (Ford Focus WRC) 1h38m17.1s  3 Damian Cole / James Morgan (Ford Focus WRC) 1h41m47.9s

Championship positions (provisional) after Round 21 Melvyn Evans – 50 points2 Damian Cole – 423 Paul Bird – 394 Steve Simpson – 375 John Indri – 34