PICKERING garage owner Steve Magson, with daughter Rachael reading the notes, enjoyed a great result at the Riponian Stages Rally.

Magson, in a rebuilt Ford Escort Mk 1, was using the Ripon Motor Sport Club event to sort out any problems ahead of the second round of the Roger Albert Clark National Rally Championship in Wales.

The race started from Thirsk and used local forest tracks, with overnight rain making the forest stages very slippery.

But a slight off in the morning stages and a quick change to the spare fuel pump were the Magsons’ only problems. They finished seventh overall and won the Historic H2 class by over four minutes.

Said Magson: “The lack of speed is a bit frustrating on the long forest roads but the Escort is a nice little car to drive and we are very happy with the reliability and we are looking forward to the rally in Wales.”

Malton Motor Club’s Mat and Darren Smith, in a Ford Ka, had a splendid rally, finishing third overall. Smith was also using this event to sort out problems for the first round of the 1400 National Rally Championship.

Not so lucky were Amanda and Derek Cornforth, also in a Ford Ka. Losing time on the first stage meant they played catch-up all day to finish fifth in class.

The rally was won by Paul Stephenson and navigator Ian Windress in a Ford Focus, by 33 seconds.

Full results are at www.riponmotorsportclub.co.uk