Mark Higgins scored a record fifth win on his home event, the all-asphalt Isle of Man Rally, fourth round of the British national series, despite differential and then clutch troubles en route. As predicted Irishman Keith Cronin pushed him hard. Cronin lost time on day one with rear differential trouble after taking the lead for three stages. He later caught up when Higgins had his differential problems. Midday through day 2 Cronin was less than five seconds behind Higgins but Cronin suffered a front wheel puncture which caused him to settle for a safe second place.

As usual the fast narrow asphalt lanes of the island led to many untoward incidents. On stage 4 David Bogie spun and jammed his Mitsubishi between two banks, causing the stage to be neutralised, Jonathan Greer rolled his Mitsubishi when in third place, then Adam Gould rolled his Subaru with three stages to go when fourth. In a remarkable third place was Alistair Fisher in an Evo IX. He is the nephew of the late Bertie Fisher, one of Ulster’s most successful rally drivers, and Pirelli awarded Alistair the Star Driver of the event. Martin McComack finished an extraordinary seventh place overall in his Citroen C2 R2 Max, the best placed two-wheel drive car, after the Renaults of Matti Rantanen and Tom Walster were ahead earlier on. Jason Pritchard was eighth in his Citroen despite gearbox troubles. Australian lady driver Molly Taylor crashed and retired her Suzuki and Craig Breen crashed his Fiesta.

The Isle of Man Rally attracted 125 entries in the various categories and this year was run in a shortened two-day rather than three-day format. Mark and Keith are now level-pegging in the BRC with two wins and two second places apiece with two events to go. With Mark’s brother David winning in China this week, the Higgins family had a lot to celebrate.

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