THE WAIT finally ended for Penrith rally driver Paul Bird as almost a decade of trying to win the Coppermines Grizedale Rally finally ended in triumph in Saturday's renewal in the Coniston-based event.
Bird was partnered to victory by co-driver Kirsty Riddick as they won each of the six stages in the www.supercasino.com, Vent Axia and Kick Energy-supported Ford Focus WRC07.
The winners took 46min 27sec to complete the leading Cumbrian event - and had a margin of a minute and 47 seconds over runners-up Alex Allington and Mark Glennerster's Suburu.
After the opening three stages and two service stops, Bird had built almost a minute's gap on the field, allowing them to coast home in the final sections.
It was a memorable win for the Cumbria on home ground, the former ANCRO champion and head of the Kawasaki World Superbike Team.
Grizedale Stages Rally 2009, top three: 1 Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick (Ford Focus WRC 07) 46min-27sec;2 Alex Allingham/Mark Glennerster (Subaru Impreza) 48-14;3 Michael O’Brien/Patrick Walsh (Ford Focus WRC) 48-24.
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