Monmouth rally driver Richard McLachlan retained his Endurance Rally championship lead after finishing third on Oxford Motor Club's Bullnose Rally on 4th September.

He started on equal points with championship contender Andy Lees, but came through one place ahead of his main rival to take a two-point advantage.

McLachlan, partnered with Ledbury's Eddie Clough, was running as the first car on the road for the early parts of the event and had to contend with clearing the grass, mud and top soil of the tracks, giving the later runners an advantage.

Despite this he settled into the event, posting top five stage times for much of the day.

Richard said: "The Bullnose is always unpredictable, with the lower runners gaining such an advantage, but that just makes it more fun with the front runners having an accidental handicap."

For the full report, see this week's Monmouthshire Beacon