STEVE Johnson's domination of the inaugural F1000 Rally Challenge came to an end on the Weeton Stages.

The Accrington firefighter had to be content with an uncharacteristic third place after being pipped for top spot by Mike Storrar and Ian Lloyd.

But Johnson, who has scored three wins so far this season, left the Blackpool venue still in the lead of the low-cost series, which is open only to one-litre, two-wheel-drive cars.

"I've never competed at Weeton before and I know it has a reputation as a wheel-breaker if you get it wrong over the kerbs," he explained.

"So I decided before the rally to take it steady and go for the points. In the end the problem we had was losing the front numberplate, but luckily, it was picked up by the marshals and I was able to drive home legally!"

Johnson and co-driver Dave Barratt's next F1000 outing is the two-day Pennine Stages at Anglesey in August.

But the multi-champion autotester is returning to his roots in the meantime, swapping his Nissan Micra for a Mini and contesting two events next month, Bury AC's annual summer autotest on July 11, and the Tim Sargeant Memorial, organised by Knutsford DMC on July 18.