LUDLOW Castle Motor Club’s Phil Clarke partnered driver Jason Pritchard to a fourth Manx National Rally victory putting them just one win away from equalling the record held by Irish crew Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr.

The pair, in Pritchard’s North Road Garage supported Ford Focus WRC, began the 16-stage tarmac event in torrential rain and then had to contend with low cloud on the second stage which reduced visibility to around 30 metres.

Hydraulic issues also meant Pritchard/Clarke didn’t have the benefit of a shakedown stage but they still managed to be quickest on both stages to lead by 36 seconds.

With the rain petering out, cars headed off to tackle two longer stages before returning to the island’s capital Douglas for a service halt. Pritchard/Clarke were fastest again on both and extended their lead to one minute and 19 seconds.

With the remaining stages being a repeat of the previous loop, confidence was high and they finished the first day by extending their advantage by another 21 seconds.

Further stage best times followed on Saturday morning to give Pritchard/Clarke a two minutes and 19 seconds lead over the Mini WRC of Daniel Harper/Chris Campbell at service.

And they continued their dominance to the end, chalking up more best times on the final loop of stages on the island’s tricky roads to win by an incredible three minutes and six seconds – a victory that also secured the lead in the Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship.

The next meeting of Ludlow Castle Motor Club will be held on Wednesday, June 13, at the Ludlow Brewery from 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.