Knutsford racer Michael Igoe secures championship title

Alongside co-driver Will Atkins, he claimed victory in the Circuit Rally Stages of the Northside Truck and Van Dukeries Rally following seven rounds of racing.

They held off the challenge of nearest rivals John Griffiths and Emma Morrison at Donington Park to ensure the title would be theirs with two rounds still to go.

Igoe and Atkins arrived at the track just a point ahead of their rivals but in the knowledge that six maximum-point hauls from the seven rallies would secure the championship.

In the WPI Motorsport Citroen C3 Rally 2, they were lightning-quick from the off in a clear display of intent.

They set the fastest time in Stage One before slowly increasing their lead across the next three, meaning they were more than 20 seconds ahead by Stage Five.

Griffiths and Morrison kept the leaders honest, but they could not claw back the deficit and the championship was secured by the end of the sixth stage.

Igoe and Atkins can now enjoy the final two rounds at Cadwell and Anglesey safe in the knowledge that their trophy is in the bag after a stellar campaign.

Michael Igoe and co-drive Will Atkins guide their Citroen C3 round a sodden Donington Park circuit (Image: Ste McNorton)