Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship - Round 1; Bulldog Historic Rally, 28 March

Nick Elliott and Dave Price swept to a stunning category three victory on the Bulldog Historic Rally on Saturday, the opening round of the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

"We didn't expect to win this one; we were looking for a top three finish," said Elliott as Julian Reynolds/Ian Oakey led the chase in their similar Mk2 Ford Escort to finish 17s down after 50 miles in the classic Welsh stages.

In category two David Higgins/Ieuan Thomas took victory in their Ford Escort Mk1, despite Higgins struggling with a hand injury and an off into a ditch in Dyfi that cost them two minutes. In category one for the pre '68 cars, Jonathan and Graham Gale swept to victory on their first rally in the ex-Patrick Watts Sunbeam Tiger.

Results

Category one

1 Jonathan Gale/Graham Gale                Sunbeam Tiger        57m24.4s

2 Stuart Rolt/Richard Pomfret                 Porsche 911             57m46.1s

3 Graham Waite/Gill Cotton                     Volvo Amazon        58m18.2s

Category two

1 David Higgins/Ieuan Thomas                Ford Escort Mk1      53m59.5s

2 Rupert Lomax/David Alcock                 Ford Escort Mk1      54m15.1s

3 Jeremy Easson/Alun Cook                   Ford Capri RS3100  55m27.5s

Category three

1 Nick Elliott/Dave Price                           Ford Escort Mk2      50m44.3s

2 Julian Reynolds/Ian Oakey                   Ford Escort Mk2      51m01.4s

3 Seamus O'Connell/Dai Roberts            Ford Escort Mk2      52m38.4s