WITH four rounds of the Kirkby Lonsdale Stage Rally Championship sponsored by ProPrep to go, things are hotting up with just one point separating Kendal's Dave Thwaites and Scorton's Darren Atkinson.

In the co-drivers standings Derek Bateson has a seven-point lead from Steve Southall, who is only one point ahead of Morecambe's Shelley Rogerson.

Last weekend saw Atkinson and co-driver Glenn Fothergill from Bolton-le-Sands travel to York for the Trackrod Clubman Rally and take fourth place, while Thwaites and Bateson join Shelley in waiting to contest the Tour of Mull on October 11-13.

The ProPrep Escort of Thwaites/Bateson is no stranger to the island, having been awarded the Pristine car title on its first visit there a couple of years ago.

Joining them will be Kendal's Paul Miller, Grange's Ian Curwen and Leven's Paul Whitelock/ Jake Carlin.

With a tarmac and a forest event left after these events, this year's championship looks like being fought all the way to the finish.