A FLAT tyre punctured Martin Meadows hopes of glory in the BTRDA Gold Star Rally Championship.

After leading the series all season, the Clitheroe driver was cruelly deprived of the title on the final round, the Cambrian Rally.

Quickest on the opening two tests, Meadows looked on course to be the first driver to take the prestigious title in a 1600cc car.

But he suffered a blow-out on the very next stage, and despite hobbling through the remaining six miles, three minutes were lost - and any hope of winning the championship.

"It must have been a sharp stone and we've just caught it in the wrong place," said Meadows.

"It was my fault I guess. The whole year has come down to this, I'm bitterly disappointed." The final round of the series, the North Wales-based Cambrian Rally, saw Meadows and co-driver Ian Oakey using one of the Proton's latest specification engines.

This had upped the power output of the Ralliart Co-Ordsport machine from 155bhp to 180bhp in a bid to match the 2-litre Nissan Sunny of title rival Nik Elsmore.

And as soon as the cars hit the gravel tracks, the difference was clear.

Fastest through the first two forest stages, the new combination looked an irrestible force.

But disaster struck four miles into the 10-mile long third stage. Meadows clipped a stone and saw his title hopes disappear as quickly as the air from the punctured tyre.

"I just don't know what to say. I was cutting the corner a little bit, but we weren't asking for trouble," he said.

Despite the bitter blow, the pair refused to give up hope, and with the tyre replaced, went out and set fastest time on the very next stage.

"Okay, it might have cost us the championship, but there's still a long way to go," he explained.

"We will drive each of the next stages as fast as we can. You never know what's around the corner."

Unfortunately for Martin, Elsmore's run remained trouble-free and he claimed the honours. Second place was ill-deserved for one of the most popular drivers in the championship, although he remained upbeat.

"There's so much good to come from this year," he said.

"I've forged great links with Proton and Silverstone Tyres and I want to continue working with them in 2000.

"I'm really grateful to Proton for allowing me to use this new engine.

"From the times we set on the Cambrian, I honestly think that if we'd had it earlier in the year, I'd be champion now.

"We are still talking about 2000 with Proton, whether we are offered a chance of driving the factory car in the British Championship or not, we'll be in the Compact.

"I've had a taste of life at the front of the field, now I want that Gold Star!"

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.