Higgins Crowned British Rally Champion as Ryan Champion Takes Yorkshire Win

08 October 2006

Mark Higgins has been crowned as 2006 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Champion on a day when Ryan Champion won International Rally Yorkshire after a thrilling battle in the forests around Pickering.

Stobart VK Subaru driver Higgins, the 1997 and 2005 champion, finished in second position in the rally, the fifth of the championship, after a thrilling battle with Merlin International's Jonny Milner and SJR Hankook's Gwyndaf Evans.

But it was Mitsubishi Motors UK's Ryan Champion who won the day, taking his second victory this season after winning the season opening Pirelli International Rally back in May.

"It was never going to be easy," said 31 year-old Champion who lives in Castleton, North Yorkshire. "It was a good fight right to the end with Mark Higgins and we'd battled Jonny and Gwyndaf earlier in the day too.

"Mark's driven so consistently this season, but that's the second time I've beaten him in a clean fight, and I'll keep on reminding of that!"

Higgins was overjoyed to take his third BRC title and second in a row. "The championship was always the priority today," said the 35 year-old Manxman. "Everything's gone to plan this year and the team have been fantastic providing me with a great car. We've never been far away from the fastest times on any of the stages all year and that's counted for everything."

Coming home in third position in the event was two-time BRC champion and Yorkshire favourite, Jonny Milner. He was also the leading Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge driver home, cementing his position at the head of the competition for the works Mitsubishi Motors UK drive in the BRC next season.

"It was mission accomplished for me," said 37 year-old Milner who was leading the rally until the midday service stop. "I built up a lead fairly easily in the morning but Ryan and Mark were able to push that little bit harder in the afternoon. We pushed hard but were mindful of the Evo lead."

The Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship now has a two month break before the thrilling season finale in Wales Rally GB, Britain's round of the FIA World Rally Championship, on December 1-3.

See 2006 series calendar for British Rally Championship

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