JOE Price and Chris Brooks were cruelly denied victory by a last-stage crash at the Red Dragon Stages in Neath.

The 37-mile event, a counter towards the Mintex British Historic Rally Championship, featured a number of Ludlow Castle Motor Club members, notably reigning champions Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke.

And the title-chasing duo received an unexpected boost to their quest, which had been hampered by three non-finishes in their past three outings, when Price and Brooks skidded off track.

Price and Brooks set the fastest time in the opening stage, some 30 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Clarke and Pritchard. Jez Rogers and Simon Webster were another 11 seconds back in their Ford Escort.

Most of the drivers were worried about the slippery conditions heading into stage two but Price and Brooks consolidated their lead and Pritchard and Clarke moved up to third despite suspicions over a puncture. Webster and Rogers sailed into seventh with a clean run.

Stages three and four were repeats of the second leg with Price and Brooks establishing a strong 38-second lead ahead of the final 12 miles.

Webster and Rogers had moved up to sixth but further investigation of some misfiring saw them uncover a blown head gasket and their race was over.

And then a slow right-hand bend, which had been used as a flying finish earlier in the day, scuppered the hopes of Price and Brooks as their car slid through three inches of slurry into a ditch.

Pritchard and Clarke finished well to claim second and keep alive hopes of another overall title.

Shaun Gardner and Ben Innes hit a boulder and broke an oil cooler in their Mitsubushi while in front in the modern section.

The next meeting of Ludlow Castle Motor Club will be held on Wednesday, September 14 at the Ludlow Brewing Company (8pm). All are welcome.