DEFENDING British Historic Rally Championship winners Jason Pritchard and co-driver Phil Clarke survived a bruising opening round to finish a creditable second in Llandovery.

The duo in the Ford Escort Mk II began as top seeds but slid down the standings to third at the end of the first stage of the Red Kite Rally having ran wide on the first corner.

They trailed Nick Elliot and Dave Price by 23 seconds having moved up to second by the end of stage two, a seven-mile leg contested through Crychan Forest.

That deficit was increased to 30 seconds during stage three on Route 60 as Pritchard, pushing hard to make up ground, suffered a half spin followed by a stall on a slippery hairpin.

Wise tyre choices changed their fortunes as they set the best times on stages four and five, which were repeats through Crychan and Route 60, to take second behind Elliot and Price.

Third seeds Joe Price and Chris Brooks were in second at the end of the first stage before being forced to retire due to a failed diff during the next leg.

Simon Webster and Jez Rogers topped their class and soared up to fourth from 16th seed, fuelling hope that their misfire issues of 2016 have been consigned to history.

They had a momentary scare on stage one but a swift pace still saw them climb to seventh overall before further progress in the second section claimed fifth position.

From there, consistency was the order of the day as fourth spot was sealed in their Ford Escort Mk II with confidence high going into the rest of the campaign.

The next meeting of Ludlow Castle Motor Club will be held on March 9 at Ludlow Brewery (8pm). A cheque presentation will be made to Community First Responders. All are welcome.