LOCAL crews had a night of mixed fortunes on last weekend’s Illuminations Rally but one thing they all agreed on was that Morecambe Car Club put on a fantastic event.

Starting from and finishing at the Vale of Lune Rugby Club in Lancaster the rally included some of the classic Lakeland lanes and passes in its 160-mile route.

Hardknott Pass, Jackson Ground and Birker Fell all revoked memories of ‘Night Moves’ that most famous of road rally books by Dave Orrick.

Paul Buckel and Steve Butler claimed local bragging rights finishing 13th in their Proton Satria two places ahead of the similar car of Simon Boardman and Ian Rayner.

Andrew ‘Tugs’ Sherrington was tackling his first road rally for 23 years in order to give his 12-year-old son Callum, his first taste of rally action, while John Leckie and Paul Homberg justified their top seeding by bringing their Proton Coupe to victory ahead of James Tyson and Neil Harrison’s Mini Cooper S.

Results: 1st Overall: John Leckie/Paul Homberg (Proton Coupe); Master Class: James Tyson/Neil Harrison (Mini Cooper S); Expert Class: Ian Rooke/Paul Taylor (VW Golf); Semi-Expert Class: Matt Honeyborne/Martin Allwood (Peugeot 205); Novice Class: Chris Barlow/Matt Venables (VW Polo); Historic Class: Paul Gray/Marcus Pomfret (Mini)