RALLYING: Best result so far for Rugby's rally driver Ashleigh Morris

Rugby rally driver Ashleigh Morris was delighted with her class win Knockhill Racing Circuit on Sunday for round three of the 2019/20 Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship.

Ashleigh and co-driver Jamie Mactavish took part in their Ford Fiesta R200, hoping to beat current class leader Chris Ruck. Conditions were challenging from the start, with heavy rain and wind all day, resulting in a lot of standing water on the circuit.

The rally stage was even more treacherous, very muddy and slippery, and with flooding in places.

Stage one went well for Ashleigh and Jamie and they took the class lead, sitting five seconds ahead of Chris Ruck, and in 16th overall.

By lunchtime they had moved up to 14th and extended their class lead to 29 seconds.

In the afternoon conditions remained difficult but Ashleigh managed to maintain the class lead and finished the rally first in class and 13th overall, her best overall finish to date.

She said: “I’m over the moon with this result. After our crash here last year we were hoping for a good result and I’m delighted to take a class victory.

“It means a lot to be able to achieve this at our home rally in Scotland, with friends and family here to support us.

“Thank you to everyone who supported us in getting this result.

“Jamie did a great job all day and Howard ensured the car was faultless, servicing in very challenging conditions.

“Thanks also to James for his help and my friends and family for coming along to support in such awful weather!

“We are also grateful to our sponsors, Cirrus Research, Morris Lubricants and Real System Controls – we couldn’t do it without you!”