MICHAEL Pickles edged out Martin Hodgson by only six seconds to claim victory in the Jack Neal Memorial Rally on Sunday.

Pickles and co-driver Ann Forster took first place in their Subara Impeza at Blyton Airfield in Lincolnshire in a Clitheroe and District Motor Club event in honour of Neal, a respected MSA scrutineer who passed away in 2008.

A total of 20 crews took part in the rally and Hodgson was second alongside Tony Jones in his Ford Escort.

Billington’s Ross Miller was third overall and second in class in his Subaru Impreza with co-driver Bradley Johnson.

The 36-year-old had been in contention for victory after the first two stages in his first event of 2012 – and his first since an engine rebuild.

A spin at a hairpin cost him crucial time after rear differential problems and he finished one minute and 11 seconds behind the winner, but he was still satisfied.

Miller said: “All in all, myself and Bradley were very pleased with the performance after never being sat together in a car, never mind a rally car.

“Also, we had never had the opportunity to drive the car with the new engine in rally conditions before.

“I’m pleased with the overall result and it makes it special having not been together before in the car before.

“Also there issues with the rear differential, which gave our Impreza a somewhat unique cornering style!”

Blackburn’s Malcolm Mawdsley finished 16th overall and first in his class along with co-driver Kev Bardon in his Subaru Impreza.