Round 6: GWF Energy Merrick Stages, 7 September

Euan Thorburn won the GWF Energy Merrick Stages, preventing David Bogie from clinching an historic fifth straight title with two events remaining.

Thorburn, co-driven by Paul Beaton from Inverness, powered his Ford Focus WRC to a 44-second victory. Bogie, who spun his Focus on the first stage and had a puncture on the last, ended the day in second place ahead of Quintin Milne, who took the final podium spot.

Thorburn has now won two rounds to Bogie's three. “We’re delighted with the win, and aim to keep the championship away from David as long as we can,” he said.

Results1 Euan Thorburn / Paul Beaton (Ford Focus WRC) 42mins 22secs2 David Bogie / Kevin Rae (Ford Focus WRC) 43m06s3 Quintin Milne / Martin Forrest (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 43m46s

Provisional championship standings1 David Bogie – 173 points2 Quintin Milne – 1613 Euan Thorburn – 1364 Donnie MacDonald – 1345 Barry Groundwater – 126