MIKE Judson and Derek Lewin are still on course to win the novices class of the SD34 Road Rally Championship, despite failing to finish the penultimate round.

The Pendle DMC pair retired from the Lincolnshire-based Cossack Rally in their Vauxhall Astra, but still have a healthy lead in the Wingate Signs-sponsored series.

Generally regarded as the best road rally in England, the Cossack took in 160 miles of lanes in Lincolnshire -- including 35 miles of 'white' roads.

Judson and Lewin, who finished 36th on the 061 Rally, rightly chose forest tyres for the loose-surface whites, but would have been happier to have used slicks for the two airfield stages, where speeds of 120mph were reached.

Seeded at car nine in their Peugeot 205GTi, Blackburn's Terry Martin and Simon Bentley were amongst the front-runners on the two special stages, but dropped off the pace as the night wore on.

Despite problems with the tyres catching on the rear wheelarches, the they still finished of the SD34 contenders.

Dave Chatman and Dave Taylor, from Clitheroe DMC, were using tarmac tyres and spent the night complaining about the lack of grip on their 205GTi, although the still managed 18th overall and second SD34 crew.

Bill Chadwick and Alan Edwards enjoyed a good run in their 205, netting seven points in the SD34 standings to move into third place.

Pendle DMC driver Simon Tate put on an entertaining display in his Opel Manta, and was rewarded with 24th overall -- from a start of 38 -- and third SD34 place.

David Howells and Steve Taylor, also from Pendle DMC, were unlucky to pick up two fails in their Manta GTE, but now lie fifth overall in the SD34 Championship and second in the semi-experts class.

With the title almost assured champions-elect Mal Grisdale and Bob Hargreaves decided not to make the long trip to Grantham for the rally, while wife-and-husband team Sandie and Paul Taylor failed to start after Paul injured his back preparing their Ford Escort.