As both the BTRDA rally championship and the Scottish Rally Championship approach their mid-season breaks, the Vital Equipment Champions on Ice competition is hotting up. The scheme offers the winning junior driver from each series the chance to undergo four days of ice driver training, courtesy of Ice Drive Sweden and BTRDA regular, Matt Edwards in a DMack-shod Group N Ford Fiesta ST.

Topping the tables in the BTRDA Junior Driver category is Cameron Davies, thanks to impressive performance so far. Despite not competing on the opening round, the Wyedean Rally, he claimed a win on the Malcolm Wilson, third on the Somerset Stages and second on both the Plains Rally and the Dukeries, giving him 72 points.

In second place is Sion Matthews, thanks to a hat-trick of second places on the first three rounds, fourth on the Plains but retiring from the Dukeries, leaving him just two points adrift of Davies. Third is Harry Threlfall, thanks to a string of consistent results, giving him a total of 69 points.

In the Scottish Rally Championship, after four rounds, Craig Rutherford hold the lead, with 36 points thanks to three wins on the trot. Second is Graham Smith on 22 points, following retirement on the Jim Clark and the Granite City Rally while also sitting on 22 points is Keiron Renton, thanks to a string of top-five finishes.

Commenting, Vital Equipment Managing Director Alistair Roberts said; "The competition is starting to get pretty close at the top of the Champions on Ice tables.

"In the BTRDA Junior Driver class, there are only three points separating the top three drivers, with a clear margin then down to fourth. The Scottish series is also very close, with Graeme and Kieron tying at the moment.

"Of course, it could all change, as to qualify, drivers must use our fuel on at least four of the rounds of each series. And with three rounds of the BTRDA and four of the Scottish Championship left to run, there could be a few new names in the running for the second part of the seasons."