after cruel Severn Valley exitPoole driver Marcus Dodd was left frustrated after being forced out of the Severn Valley National Rally when comfortably leading the event.  The Flitewise.com backed Hyundai Accent WRC had built a strong 36 second advantage when the engine suddenly went on to just two cylinders, leaving the car powerless. The result means that Dodd has now used his two 'drop scores' in the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship, and needs strong performances for the rest of the year to claim the title again.Based in Builth Wells in the heart of Wales, the Severn Valley National Rally held good memories for Dodd, as he and Hove based co-driver Andrew Bargery won the event last year.  As befits the returning winner, Dodd would start the event as car 1 - vitally important given the heavy dust and virtually no wind in the forestry plantations.  A thick wall of dust was left in the wake of each car, so Marcus knew that he had to take full advantage of running without any such problems in front of him.The Pirelli Tyres and Sunseeker Powerboats backed car was readied for action for the HPM Motorsport team and tyre wear was hot on the agenda given the dry heat and warm ambient temperatures.  Dodd chose the right Pirelli compound from the start, as he rocketed through the opening stage of the event to set a time eight seconds faster than Barry Johnson.  The Subaru driver hit back on the next stage as the pair were locked in a fight for the lead.  Marcus kept the gap at eight seconds after the Gwibedog stage, and increased his lead further after another strong charge through Halfway.The rally briefly visited Llandovery before heading west to the little used Brechfa forest in Carmarthenshire.  Johnson attacked again, but rolled out of the event after hitting a bank.  Dodd found himself with a comprehensive lead over second placed Hyundai man Craig Middleton.  Unfortunately, that lead was to be a short lived one.  Midway through the second Brechfa stage, the Hyundai suffered a serious engine problem and Marcus had no option but to turn off and park up.  For the second time this season, the multiple National champion was forced to retire when in a strong lead.  Despite the disappointment, Marcus was pleased to have once more shown a strong pace throughout the day:'I'm very disappointed as it was looking very good for the win' said Marcus.  'The car was performing so well today, it felt great and I was very happy with everything.  There was a little drop off in power, and then the engine dropped onto two cylinders without warning.  Unfortunately it was an internal problem so we couldn't continue.  It was a shame as the Pirelli tyres had been working really well in the hot and dusty conditions, so we were confident that we would see the job through to the end.  Sadly, it was not to be for us this weekend, but we will come back fighting on the Swansea Bay Rally next month.  If we do not get a good result there, our championship aspirations are well and truly finished, so we will have no option but to attack'.Dodd was joined on the retirement list by his father Harry's identical Hyundai.  Mechanical problems would force Dodd senior to retire at service, whilst Peter Egerton and Simon Staddon fared better.  They pulled off a Top 20 finish in their Hyundai, whilst the Dorset Police Rally Team of Shaun Cronin and new co-driver Andy Street found themselves 28th overall in their Group N Subaru Impreza N8.  The Road Angel and Petards backed machine making it home after a tough day's rallying in the unusually hot conditions.Next outing for the HPM Motorsport team will be the Swansea Bay Rally on July 22nd.  It promises to be a spectacular showdown between the top MSA National Gravel Championship contenders, and Marcus will be hoping for better luck in the forests of the South Wales valleys.