VICTORY on the Legend Fires North West Stages has given Steve Simpson a place in record books.

For the Bury driver became the first competitor to score a hat-trick of wins on the Blackpool-based event.

Simpson and co-driver Mark Booth eased their Hyundai Accent WRC home in first place after fancied challengers John Stone and Lee Carter crashed out after just five stages.

The Blackburn businessman and rally sponsor was lucky to escape injury after his Metro 6R4 stepped out of line at 120mph on the slippery Clifton Marsh test.

The car became airborne as it slid onto the grass and eventually landed minus a wheel, forcing the pair to retire on the spot.

Acknowledged as one of the most popular tarmac events in the country, this year's North West Stages attracted a 104-car entry, with organisers Motor Sport (North West) Ltd, opting for a two-day format to accommodate 30 stages with almost 100 competitive miles.

The opening pair of Promenade tests saw Simpson quickest on the first run, but Stone left Blackpool with the lead after the Accent crew were baulked near the end of SS2.

Although Simpson then recovered the lead after the first pair of Weeton stages, the rest of the rally was defined in one big moment when the highly-rated Stone went off.

His retirement meant any serious challenge to Simpson was gone.

Second place went to Andrew Barker and Steve Mort in a Ford Focus Sti followed by the Escort Cosworth of Tim Finch and Paul Hughes.

Matt Tarbutt/ Mike Yates (Vauxhall Nova) took Class A and Chris Phillips/ Rhys Hughes took Class B in their Peugeot 106. Class C winners Martin Farrar/ Andy Ward (MG ZR) were also best two wheel drive finishers. Alan Paramore/ Emma Morrison took Class F honours in the Landrover Defender.

The seemingly-innocuous stages created a high-attrition rate over the two days, with just 41 finishers from 104 starters.

But the real winner was the charity Marie Curie Cancer Care, with over £8,000 raised from the rally.

Results:1: Steve Simpson/Mark Booth (Hyundai Accent WRC) 1:56:45. 2. Andrew Barker/Steve Mort (Focus STi) 2:01:04. 3. Tim Finch/Paul Hughes (Ford Escort Cosworth) 2:02:00. 4. Howard Chopping/Jonathon Turnbull (Subaru Impreza 555) 2:02:24. 5. Shaun Tomlinson/Chris Sanderson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) 2:03:41. 6. Graham Coffey/Howard Pridmore (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2:03:52. 7. Stephen Taylor/Phil Peak (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII) 2:03:53. 8. Ian Savage/Gary Heslop (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) 2:04:16. 9. Keith Taylor/Andrew Helmn (Subaru Impreza) 2:05:52. 10. Martin Farrar/Andy Ward (MG ZR) 2:06:32.