STEVE Johnson maintained his challenge for the SD34 Preston College autotest championship after winning his class on the penultimate round.

Bury AC's autumn autotest saw the Accrington driver finish fourth overall in his T.Blank Tyres-sponsored Mini saloon.

Run at their regular Foundry Street car park venue, the 12-test format feature an even split of long tests and shorter, tighter ones.

This allowed a balance so that neither front or rear-wheel-drive cars had any significant advantage.

And although Johnson had a trouble-free run in his Mini, he couldn't match the pace of the Mini specials and leading sports cars.

Dave Barratt, sharing the same car, shrugged off a pulled muscle during the day to finish the event and take second in class in the SD34 standings.

Burnley's Bob Sargeant finished fifth overall and second in the sports car class, driving his Dutton Phaeton.

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