Round 7: Merrick Forest Stages, 3 September

Mike Faulkner powered to a superbly judged victory on the ProTune Remapping Merrick Stages Rally – his first championship win for more than two years.

Faulkner, co-driven by Peter Foy, completed the six Galloway Forest stages 45 seconds ahead of Robbie Head and Claire Mole. Wayne Sisson and David Macfadyen were third, more than a minute adrift.

Euan Thorburn – tied for second in the championship with Faulkner going into the event – suffered turbo problems on SS1 but fought his way back up the leader board to finish with the same overall time as Sisson; the Lancastrian took the final podium spot due to being faster on the opening test.

Results1 Mike Faulkner / Peter Foy (Mitsubishi Evo 6) 42m13s2 Robbie Head / Claire Mole (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 42m58s3 Wayne Sisson / David Macfadyen (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 44m00s

Championship positions (provisional)after Round 71 David Bogie – 175 points (CHAMPION)2 Mike Faulkner – 1913 Euan Thorburn – 1874 Robbie Head – 170