AN amateur rally driver is taking his championship title fight down to the final round.

Rob Snowden, 37, who works as a self-employed clockmaker in Kirkbymoorside, built and rallies his own Ford Mk2 Escort rally car in the North of England Tarmacadam Rally Championship, alongside his new navigator Andy Brown, from Durham.

A rank outsider at the beginning on this season, racing against bigger and better-resourced teams, Mr Snowden has achieved some key wins to leave him only one point off the championship lead - with only one round remaining.

His success has been despite mechanical issues, with retirements on three events at Blackpool, Edinburgh and Crail in Scotland.

The latest rally was the Pendragon stages, held on the Warcop military ranges near Appleby in Cumbria on August 27.

Mr Snowden, from Rillington, said: “The rally consisted of eight stages on the very tough and demanding roads over the tank training military ranges. After the first pair of stages we found ourselves in 10th overall position. But half way through stage three the car ground to a halt when the engine stopped. We dropped three minutes identifying a loose wire on the fuel pump. Once we had fixed this we completed the stage without any further issue.

“Unfortunately this stoppage had dropped us down to 46th overall.

“We knew we had to push hard to ensure a good finish to keep us in the battle for the lead of the championship. Over the next five stages we climb back to finish 18th overall and collect some good points as third championship finisher.”

The last rally, the Cheviot Stages, will be held on Otterburn Military ranges on October 22.

Mr Snowden added: “I want to thank my sponsors Willians Logistics, RAS International Transport and Logistics and Ian Brown tyres of Malton, along with Michelin, for their continued help and support.”