CO-DRIVER Ben Innes helped Oliver Davies to a sixth Agbo Stages Rally triumph by a 25-second margin at Weston Park.

Cleobury Mortimer-based Innes teamed up with multiple champion Davies to set the top time in seven of the 10 stages in a Ford Escort Mk II.

Seeded second, the Ludlow Castle Motor Club pair moved ahead of last year’s winner Paul Moran by two seconds in the first section and steadily increased their advantage throughout.

Perry Gardener and Jamie Vaughan climbed from 33rd seeds to a 25th-placed finish and fourth in class despite sliding off the course during the opening stage in the 1400cc Vauxhall Nova.

Steve Davies and Lucky Wilding took on only their third rally and second on tarmac in the Renault Clio but belied their limited experience to move from 39th seeds up to a top-20 position.

They came in 14th and seventh in class but claimed the top prize in the mixed crew category.

Motor Sports Association Academy member Keaton Williams teamed up with Orleton’s Roger Moran – last year’s runner-up – but did not to get off the grid thanks to a failed crank sensor prior to the opening stage.

It had been the second scheduled race of the weekend for up-and-coming ace Williams, who took part in the first round of the British Rally Championship alongside Gee Atherton in Jedburgh, Scotland.

The 65-mile, nine-stage event proved tricky with the two night sections in Craik Forest particularly difficult. They ended the first night 28th and first in class and although a better run was enjoyed the next day, three punctures restricted them to a 24th-placed finish.