Round 3: Somerset Stages, 16 April

Darren Pinchin and Ashley Slights are tied atop the championship standings following round three, the Somerset Stages Rally.

Allan McDowall and Gavin Heseltine were the fastest two-wheel-drive crew in their Opel Kadett, and gradually built up a lead of over minute from nearest class E5 rivals Boyd Kershaw and Bryan Hull. In class E2, Pinchin and co-driver Karen Watts secured maximum points after a fierce battle with Clive Anstey and Tim Curry.Sean Edwards and Gavin Haycock took maximum Class E3 points, while Matt Beebe and Richard Mills were the E4 winners. Slights and Tom Hughes again won Class E1 for standard cars of up to 1400cc, finishing ahead of several more powerful cars.

ResultsClass E5 Allan McDowall / Gavin Heseltine (Opel Kadett) 47m47sClass E4 Matt Beebe / Richard Mills (MG ZR 160) 50m 15sClass E3 Sean Edwards / Gavin Haycock (Ford Escort) 51m 11s Class E2 Darren Pinchin / Karen Watts (Proton Satria) 49m 40s Class E1 Ash Slights / Tom Hughes (Toyota Yaris) 52m 36s  

Championship positions (provisional) after Round 31 Darren Pinchin – 75 points= Ashley Slights – 753 Allan McDowall – 714 Warren Philliskirk – 69           5 Clive Anstey – 68