Marty McCormack has paid tribute to his rival competitors after winning the inaugural West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C. Rally Championship on the Red Kite Historic Stages (Sunday 8 September).McCormack and co-driver Phil Clarke were confirmed as 2013 champions after taking their fourth win from five rallies and cannot be caught on the final round, the Trackrod Historic Cup (27/28 September).“We’ve had a fantastic season,” said McCormack. “A lot of people have come together to make this happen. Phil has done a fantastic job and his vast experience shows.” Clarke wins the overall co-drivers’ title to add to their famous victory on the 2012 Roger Albert Clark Rally.McCormack said it has been a tremendously competitive season. “The competition this season has been fierce and you’ve had to be on your game straightaway. We’ve had some good first stages and that has been one of our strengths. There are no lie-ins with this championship!”He said his key rivals made him work very hard for the title. “Nick Elliott is always quick and there have been a lot of people pushing us on. Jason Pritchard has very little experience in a Mk2 Escort and to come on the way he has this season is very impressive.”McCormack said that he was particularly pleased with his speed in Wales, which included victory on the Neath Valley Stages by just seven-tenths of a second over Elliott.“We just did it one rally at a time. Going to Wales and being as competitive as we are: I’m really happy with that, because it is so fast down there. I’d not done much rallying in Wales before this season.”