Lee Edwards secured two titles despite retiring from his home rally in the Shropshire Hills.
Oswestry driver Lee Edwards ended his challenge for the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship after a suspected differential failure forced his Ford Escort G3 out on the Hills Ford Stages.
Edwards and co-driver Sam Spencer were third in the championship standings and fourth overall when their rear-wheel-drive car stopped on stage 10.
The retirement ended hopes of an overall title on the seventh and final round of the season.
Read more
Powys star qualifies for world championship after Italian triumph
Soldier from WW1 could be added to Park Gates War Memorial in Oswestry
Wrexham recycling shake-up includes new bags and more kerbside collections
However, the result did not prevent Edwards from winning Class 3 and the Escort Challenge titles. He also finished as the highest placed two-wheel-drive competitor, in fourth overall.
His final provisional championship total was 129 points, placing him fourth in the drivers’ standings. Jason Pritchard won the title with 148 points, ahead of Brad Cole on 133 and Aled Wyn Morgans on 132.
Edwards had arrived at the event with a chance of taking the crown.
The Oswestry competitor was delayed on the opening Cressage stage when overnight leaders Mark Kelly and Will Atkins stopped after the watersplash.
Brad Cole and Morgans were also delayed as they slowed to pass the stricken car. Ian Forgan and Mike English later retired at the same location, while several crews were held up.
The final round was held across new closed road stages in Shropshire. Edwards’ retirement came on a demanding route that produced several other non-finishes, including Stephen Simpson, who crashed on stage six.
Gareth Price won Class 3 on the day in a BMW Compact, securing the Shrewsbury driver second in the class championship. Russell Addyman finished second on the event and third in the final class standings.
Edwards and Spencer finished as Class 3 champions.
Share