Finns Tapio Laukkanen and Miikka Anttila scored a nailbiting victory on the Pirelli Rally, the first round of the British Championship, fending off reigning champion Jonny Milner by just 9.3 seconds.
The top four were covered by 22 seconds entering the final two stages of the Kielder-based event, as the four-wheel-drive runners overhauled the Super 1600 crews in clear conditions. Laukkanen was under pressure from Milner’s Toyota after getting a puncture, but rocketed home in the Morgan Motorsport Impreza to claim his second Pirelli victory, while Mark Higgins took a comfortable Super 1600 win in the RED Clio.
“The last two stages I was pushing on. When Jonny got close, we had to push. Last night were the hardest conditions I can remember. I am very pleased. I hope we can do the whole championship,” Laukkanen said.
Having led most of the event, Guy Wilks retired his Puma on the final stage, reputedly with a blown engine. Gwyndaf Evans was fourth and second 1600 runner in the works MG, and Kris Meeke completed the top five in his Corsa. Ford’s new signing Jari-Matti Latvala fought back to take 10th in his Focus.
