Double British Rally Champions Jonny Milner and Nicky Beech made a triumphant return to the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship.

Driving an MSR Motorsport run Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, the duo produced a polished performance to take fourth overall and the production category victory on the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire.

Based in Huggate on the wolds, Milner was making a welcome return to the championship after taking a year out of the sport. With just one appearance on the Pirelli International Rally and a brief outing in the Galway International Rally in 2005, Milner had been forced to spend most of the year on the sidelines.

But despite a long absence from the heat of competition, Milner lost little time in settling into the new car, as he and Beech found themselves holding down a strong third in the category, just behind the more advanced works Mitsubishi UK run Lancer Evo 8.5's of David Higgins and Rory Galligan.

Steadily getting used to the unfamiliar Lancer, he was delighted to end the first day second in the category, and within touching distance of leader David Higgins and his co-driver Rory Galligan.

After Higgins' chances perished with a broken drive-shaft on the second day, Milner and Beech used their championship winning experience to fend off the challenge of Barry Clark (Subaru) for a superb fourth overall and a comfortable Production Cup win by 40.

Enthused Milner: "The car has been faultless - a real credit to MSR Motorsport who we hired it from. It has been a long time since I last drove a Group 'N' car competitively, so it took a few stages to get used to the driving style again.

"I found myself braking too late or too early, and as a result we were losing time in places.

"That said, the Pirelli tyres worked superbly well on the slippery surfaces, and it was good to have a battle with the works Mitsubishi drivers.

"Both hit transmission problems, but that's rallying - sometimes it goes for you and against you. The main thing was that we were within striking distance should any problems arise."

Milner is hopeful of a return to the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship on a full time basis for 2006.

With new rules in force restricting the series to Group 'N' and Super 1600 cars only, Milner is keen to find the budget to return and aim for a third championship title if possible.

Updated: 10:06 Tuesday, October 11, 2005