GREEN HAMMERTON'S Warren Philliskirk scored a dramatic last stage victory in the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, after newly crowned Mintex Champion Steve Petch, who had led for most of the day, stopped just a few miles from the finish.

Petch's Escort World Rally Car broke down midway through the rally's longest test - a daunting 20-miler in Dalby forest - allowing the ageing Metro 6R4 of York drainage contractor Philliskirk to finally win one of the few events in the region which have eluded him over a long and distinguished career.

The former BTRDA Clubman's Champion was second in the 1997 Trackrod Rally, third 12 months later and runner-up again last year but, this time, was able to savour the sweet taste of success - spraying champagne over the finishing ramp at the Eye of York, less than 15 minutes drive from his home.

Michael Watson (Buntingford) finished second overall in an Escort Cosworth with Skegness's reigning BTRDA Champion Brian Bell third in an ex-works Escort.

There was an equally sensational climax to the lucrative Peugeot Super 106 Cup, which formed part of the rally.

Martin Sansom and Andy Burnell arrived for the seven-stage North York Moors event with just one point separating them and a first prize of a brand new road-going Peugeot 206 and a works drive for next year.

Sansom led by a mere second entering the final test but Burnell broke a drive shaft to hand the Sidcup driver the title.

Moments later the rally was brought to a premature end when another Peugeot driver Dave Nutt crashed heavily and his co-driver Steve Greenhill was trapped in the car.

The stage was stopped while the ambulance attended Harlow navigator Greenhill, who was taken to hospital in Scarborough with a suspected broken arm.

Hertfordshire's Phil Morgan, in a Subaru Impreza, finished fourth with local knowledge packing places five to nine.

Ever popular Malton potato farmer Steve Bannister peddled an ancient Mk 2 Escort into the final top five.

Just behind was the Ford Escort Cosworth of Northallerton's Anthony Eaton, runner-up in this year's Mintex Championship, the Subaru Impreza of Alistair Ginley (Selby), the Ford Sapphire of Thirsk's Matthew Yeadon and York nightclub owner Andy Elliott's Metro 6R4

Osmotherly's David Brown, who recently clinched the Mintex Championship Group N title, added the spoils for best performance in the showroom category on the Trackrod with tenth place overall.

Haxby's Angus Wardby, 36, and his co-driver Steve Bielby, from Pickering, enjoyed a sparkling debut in the North Yorkshire Forests.

The Simpson Salvage-backed pair took their Mark 2 Escort to victory in their class and finished 18th overall.

"It was a cracking result for us," said Waudby. "We are really delighted."

Among the most unlucky drivers was Northallerton garage owner Steve Smith whose recently purchased ex-factory Lancia Delta Integrale limped out of the rally with a smashed wheel whilst riding high in the top ten.

Donovan Jenkin justified his number one seeding and made up for last year's heatbreak in the accompanying Trackrod Clubamns rally for more grass roots enthusiasts.

Jenkin's Ford Escort Cosworth broke down on the opening stage 12 months ago but claimed a comfortable 96 second victory this time round.

Double Irish Champion Dessie Nutt pipped Normanton businessman Geoff Stewart by a mere second to the winner's laurels in the Trackrod Historic Cup which features 50 cars from rallying's heyday of the sixties and seventies.

Both were driving powerful 1965 Porche 911s which have dominated the British Historic Championship which finishes in Wales next month.