Sunderland driver, Simon Moore( Renault Clio) too an early lead on today’s Pirelli Challenge Rally and, after setting the pace on the mornings 3 stages he held off the challenging pack to record his first BRC Challenge Series victory.

Starting from the shores of Kielder Water, the opening Falstonestage saw Moore grab the initiative, quickest out of the blocks from Matt Edwards MG ZR) and Russ Thompson ( Renault Clio). Moore was again quickest through the 13 mile Bower stage but Edwards rally came to a Premature end with suspension problems, the stage also claimed Russ Mcleod who rolled his Fiesta out of the event.

Moore made it 3 out of 3 with another quickest time through Blackaburn and headed for the halfway Service Area with a useful 40 second advantage over Jack Rowe Ford Fiesta) and Russ Thompson. This stage claimed Brian McGuinness who rolled his Corsa.

The event restarted with a 5 miler in Shepherdshield which saw a Fiesta 1-2-3, Damien Smith leading Phil Scholes and jack Rowe. Rowe took the next stage from Moore and Phil Scholes. Unfortunately, this was the end for Russ Thompson, who had climbed up to 5^th place, his Renault retiring with mechanical problems.

The final 8.75 miles through Chirdonhead must have been nerve wracking for Moore but he kept up the pace, less than a second behind Jack Rowe, to seal a well deserved victory, Rowe having to settle for second place while Damien Smith moved up to third place when Phil Scholes suffered a puncture.

The final stage saw Alex Pparpottas ease off as his Fiesta was overheating, Mark McCullagh was another driver to collect a puncture, Conor Flynn went one better and had two tyres deflate, fortunately he had two spares !! Richard Parry-Jones rounded off his rally in dramatic style, going off the road twice ad dropping to the back of the field.