THOUSANDS of spectators were treated to a historic event as they witnessed the closest finish in the 27 year history of the Grizedale Stages Rally.

The top four teams were separated by just 15 seconds and the winners, Ollie Mellors and Ian Windress, took the title by a single second during the event on Saturday, November 21.

Some 3,000 people gathered to watch the 59 teams battle for supremacy across the 43 mile course.

Notable local successes was second placed David Wright, from Bentham, whose overall time of 43min 14 seconds meant he was just one second away from victory.

Mal Capstick, whose team finished eighth, is from Kirkby Lonsdale.

The Gazette spoke to Graham Parker, Clerk of the course, who said: "It was a nice, clear day in the end and it was a really good competition. It's the closest Grizedale Stages that there's ever been."

Organisers had to overcome a challenge on Saturday, November 21, when a large tree threatened to block the road.

Mr Parker said: "It was discovered in the morning near the visitor centre but the Forestry Commission came along and made mincemeat of it."

It was the first time in recent memory that the entry card had been filled three weeks before the event took place, showing how Grizedale Stages is going from strength to strength.