Herefordshire farmer Roger Chilman took a superb win on last weekend’s ATL Carlisle Stages, beating all the 4wd cars in the process.

The event offered 41 miles in the Newcastleton and Kershope area of Keilder Forest, for the 70 Historics, and was Round Four of the Fuchs Lubricants British Historic rally championship. The open rally also contained 12, 4wd cars, with many Scottish championship regulars using the event for seat time.

On the opening three mile test, Chilman together with new co-driver Patrick Walsh, stopped the clocks two seconds quicker than Matthew Robinson, with Jason Pritchard a further second back.

He then went quickest again on the second test in Newcastleton before consolidating his lead with a stunning time through the 13 miles of Kershope to arrive at service with a 15 second lead over Robinson, with Simon Webster having a superb run in 3rd.

The afternoon consisted of a repeat loop of the morning tests, and the Securcom, Morspan Contruction, Connop backed RS1800 never missed a beat over the three tests, despite coming under pressure from the similar cars of Robinson, Pritchard and Webster, in fact it all came down to the final 12 miles of Kershope, but Chilman held on to take an outstanding victory by five seconds from Robinson, with Pritchard and Webster tied for 3rd, with the former quickest on the first stage on count back to take 3rd, which was hard on Webster who caught a slower car on the final test and was held up for three miles, dropping from 2nd to 4th overall.

But it was Chilman’s day. He said: “It’s fantastic to win here and beat all the 4wd cars, it’s the first time I’ve ever had Patrick with me and he was superb. It’s been a great battle all day with Matt, Jase, and Simon, we built a good lead at half way, but we come under serious pressure this afternoon. The stages got rough which didn’t suit me but we held on. Thanks to Meirion at Wales Motorsport for a superb car, all my sponsors, Haywood Demolition, and Pirelli tyres.

Chilman used the event as part of his build up to the RAC Rally in November.

Sadly for Ross garage owner, Steve Bennett, his event was short lived with engine failure in the Bennett Tyres RS1800 on stage two.

Ben Friend and Cliffy Simmons were another crew to retire with the Allglass RS1800, breaking a stub axle.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.