Stig Blomqvist and Ana Goni took victory on the seventh and final round of the HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge during the Bulldog Historic Rally on Saturday (23 October).However, the championship title fell to Ernie Graham/Robin Kellard (Escort RS2000) even though they retired with a blown engine. With Blomqvist claiming points, second place for Gareth Lloyd and Ryland James (Escort RS1800) left them just short of the points' total of Graham/Kellard.Blomqvist/Goni were again competing in a Mk2 Escort prepared by Historic Motorsport in preparation for the Roger Albert Clark Rally in November. In truly testing conditions in the classic mid-Wales stages, the Swedish legend pulled clear through the day to finally win by 1m36s.The championship battle, however, lay between Graham/Kellard and Lloyd/James. If Lloyd/James scored maximum points, the title would be tied. "We can’t lose it, we can only share it," admitted Graham before the start. "We wouldn't mind sharing it, we've been close with Gareth all season," he added.But for the presence of Blomqvist, a tie for the title seemed likely as Lloyd edged clear of Graham over the opening four stages. Then, in Gartheiniog, Graham had the engine let go on a straight. "There's a hole in the block," he confirmed of their retirement.Lloyd/James continued to turn in a tremendous drive, despite a puncture late in Bwlch Main. Then, on the final stage in Dyfnant, a branch fouled the windscreens wipers and forced them to ease their pace. With a clear margin over third-placed Martin Freestone/Chris Heyes (Escort Mk2), Lloyd/James had done enough to level the title had Blomqvist not signed on for championship points. Nevertheless, the West Wales Rally Spares crew had contributed hugely to a sporting contest with Graham/Kellard. "We're just disappointed that Stig signed on for points on this event," admitted Lloyd.Freestone/Heyes had another strong run despite limited gravel experience to net third, while Dick Slaughter/Geoff Dearing took fourth in their Escort. Into fifth, on their HRCR Classic debut, went Andrew Haddon/Mark Crisp after a crowd-pleasing performance in their ex-Vatanen Escort, still in Rothmans livery. The car is now scheduled for a winter rebuild into its famous black livery.Ian Rix/Simon Sparey (Escort Mk2) completed the top six after electrical gremlins put Grant Shand/Frank Richer out on the opening stage in Sweet Lamb.