BENTHAM duo Dave Wright and co-driver Shelly Rogerson roared to an impressive fifth place behind a clutch of specialist World Rally Cars in the prestigious Malcolm Wilson Rally.

The pair won the Group N category in their Mitsubishi Evo 9, powering around the 43-miles of forest track stages in Greystoke, Grizedale and Wythop.

Dumfries driver David Bogie and co-driver Kevin Rae claimed their first victory in the rally, which was celebrating its 33rd year. They brought their Toyota Corolla WRC to the Cockermouth finish just 35 seconds ahead of the Subaru Impreza WRC of three-times rally winner Paul Bird and Kirkby Stephen co-driver Andy Richardson.

Bird said: "A couple of mistakes cost me victory and the better driver on the day won, but I'll be back again next year."

Isle of Wight driver Will Nicholls and co-driver Nick Broom were third in their Subaru Impreza WRC followed by the Ford Focus WRC of Ruthin's Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank in fourth.

Of the 113 crews who started the event 75 made it to the finish.

Other Cumbrian placings were: 9th and second in class Ian Joel and Graeme Wood, Escort COS; 10th and third in class Wayne Sissons and Daniel Stone, Evo 9; 13th and 4th in class David Shuttleworth and Simon Megaw, Evo 6.