WITHNELL co-driver Paula Swinscoe helped Damien Smith to third place in the Bulldog Challenge Rally at the weekend.

The rally was the support event to the International Rally of Wales, and Swinscoe teamed up with Silsden’s Smith to take third overall and second in class in a Ford Fiesta ST.

The duo are competing in the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge this year – although they missed the opening round of the championship, the Sunseeker Challenge. The next round is the Pirelli Rally in Carlisle next month.

Also in action was Clitheroe and District Motor Club’s Russ Thompson, who had to retire alongside co-driver Andy Murphy after an accident in their Renault Clio on the third stage.

In the Historic Rally Whalley brothers Mark and Ed Bentley, who fulfilled a long-held ambition by taking part in the East African Safari Classic Rally towards the end of 2011, took 20th place in their Ford Escort Mk2.

Oswaldtwistle co-driver Phil Peak also competed in a Ford Escort Mk but driver James Slaughter had to retire after sustaining a hand injury crashing into a rock bank on the third stage. The duo, however, are still expected to compete in the Pirelli Rally.

Lee Carter co-drove for Ian Rix as they finished in 38th place overall and eighth in class in a Ford Escort RS1600.