Multiple National Rally Champion Marcus Dodd finished a strong fifth on this weekend's RBS International Manx Rally, moving him to second overall in the MSA National Gravel Championship points standings.  The Flitewise.com backed driver from Poole was on a consistent pace all through the two day event based in Douglas on the Isle of Man.  Using the closed public tarmac roads of the motorsport mad island, Dodd turned in a measured points gathering performance in gloriously sunny weather conditions.Partnered by Hove's Andrew Bargery, the HPM Motorsport driver held a solid fifth after the opening leg of the event.  Dodd and Bargery were slowed when regular National Championship rival Steve Perez suffered a high speed accident on the third stage of the event.  Dodd was the next car through and slowed to ensure that Perez and co-driver Scott Martin were ok after the impact.  The Sunseeker Powerboats and Pirelli Tyres backed duo lost some time as a result, but were happy with their performance after the opening four stages.  The Hyundai Accent WRC returned to the overnight halt in fine condition and Dodd was keen to keep out of trouble on the long second day in order to grab as many points as possible. Day Two would see yet more bright sunshine as the rally meandered its way across the small island.  Dodd was quickly into his stride and finding the paddle shift gear change in the Hyundai a real bonus on the fast and bumpy tarmac roads.  A drop in turbo pressure gave Dodd some cause for concern just prior to service, and sterling work by the HPM team would see the complete turbo changed on the Accent WRC as a precautionary measure.  Restored to full boost in every sense, Marcus then cemented his solid fifth place with a string of consistent stage times to hold the position to the end.  After winning the recent Border Counties Rally, the points haul has put Dodd into a very strong championship position after three rounds.  Tarmac is not Marcus's preferred surface, and the 35 year old is simply itching to get back into the forests of Wales for the next two rounds.The RBS International Manx Rally was also a successful outing for the two other members of the HPM Motorsport team on the event.  Harry Dodd and Roy Campbell made a spectacular start to the event, spinning near the start of the first stage before impressing spectators and photographers alike with a huge jump on the Port Erin stage.  Harry experimented with tyre compounds throughout the rally as he brought home the immaculate Hyundai Accent WRC in 49th.  Dorset Police Rally Team were also taking part in a Subaru Impreza Group N car, and Sean Cronin and Colin Bell successfully completed their first ever trip to the Island with a competent 56th overall in the Road Angel and Petards backed machine.The next outing for the HPM Motorsport team will be the Severn Valley Stages Rally in Mid Wales.  The Llandrindod Wells based rally is one of Marcus Dodd's favourites, and you can expect a serious charge for victory from the Dorset based driver in four weeks time.