Round 6: Patriot Stages Rally, 25 September

Damian Cole and Paul Morris became 2016 MSA Asphalt Rally Champions after a win on the penultimate round, the Patriot Stages Rally.

Their Fiesta WRC finished the six stage-event at the Caerwent Training Area, near Chepstow, over a minute ahead of their nearest rivals, John Stone and Ian Davis.

It is Cole’s sixth title and Morris’ first. Their only rivals for the crown, Steve Simpson and Patrick Walsh, were forced to cancel their entry after their Subaru Impreza WRC developed engine problems just days before the event.

David Tinn and Giles Dykes completed the podium with Bob Fowden and Paul Wakley in fourth.

Wynne Watkins and Ashley Trimble took the 2016 Group N crown, with a sixth place finish.

Results1 Damian Cole/Paul Morris (Ford Fiesta WRC) 1h16m05s2 John Stone/Ian Davis (Ford Fiesta S2500) 1h17m21s3 David Tinn/Giles Dykes (Proton Satria Neo) 1h17m36s

Provisional championship StandingsDamian Cole – 147 points (CHAMPION)David Tinn – 127Steve Simpson – 116