Matthew Robinson was the highest placed Pirelli runner with second in last weekend’s Mid Wales Stages, round two of the MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

In challenging weather conditions on the classic gravel stages around Newtown, Robinson and co-driver Sam Collis took their Pirelli-shod Ford Escort Mk2 to within half a minute of overall winners Nick Elliott/Dave Price (Mk2).

Another Pirelli runner, Jason Pritchard, finished fourth in the Mk2 he shared with Phil Clarke to win Category K and maintain his early championship lead. And David Stokes/Guy Weaver took their Pirelli-shod Ford Escort Mk1 to ninth to win Category 2 in the 82-strong field. In fact, eight of the top 10 finishers all used the Italian tyres.

The next round of the MSA British Historic Rally Championship is the Carlisle-based Pirelli Rally on April 25.