AFTER two years of trying, former British Rallycross champion Tony Bardy finally made it onto the top step of the podium on this year’s Legend Fires North West Stages.

Second last year, Bardy and his venerable Nissan Sunny GTi-R saw off the challenge of newer, faster, WRC machinery to finish 29 seconds clear of runner-up Graham Coffey’s Subaru Impreza.

Third place went to the Metro 6R4 of Blackpool’s Mark Holmes, a further 1m 29s adrift.

This year’s format, which saw crews tackle four stages on Blackpool promenade and Weeton army barracks in the darkness of Friday night before a full day of action on Saturday, proved the toughest yet.

At the end of 82 stage miles, spread over five venues on the Fylde coast, there were just 47 finishers and 56 retirements.

Overnight leader and rally sponsor John Stone was one of the first out on day two when he hit a barrel on SS5, Blackpool promenade.

Although his Metro 6R4 wasn’t badly damaged, Stone and co-driver Lee Carter elected to retire in order to repair the car ahead of their appearance on the Tour of Epynt the day after.

And five-times winner and pre-event favourite Steve Simpson made it as far as SS16, Weeton, before a shaft snapped on his Hyundai Accent WRC.

But the event proved a big success for the crews, organisers and spectators, as joint clerk-of-the-course Dave Read explained: “All 26 stages ran with no significant problems, a good amount of money was raised for charity, we had decent weather and an enjoyable day’s motor sport for thousands of people.

“I would like to say a big thank you to the everyone who helped to make this event what it now is, particularly, John Stone for his sponsorship, the organising team, all the marshals, Lancashire Constabulary and Blackpool Council, and not forgetting the competitors.

“We know it’s not a cheap event to do but in these tough economic times, we still processed almost 120 entries.”

There were notable successes for other East Lancashire crews who were competing further down the field.

Rossendale’s John Deegan and William Kelly had a storming drive to 12th overall and third in class in their battle-scarred Honda Civic Type R.

Clitheroe DMC member Martin Oglesby and John Parker brought their rear-wheel-drive Subaru Impreza home in 33rd place.

And Blackburn youngster Matt Griffin, tackling his first-ever North West Stages, brought his distinctive yellow Volkswagen Lupo home in 39th place and fourth in class, with Joe Cruttenden on the maps.

“I realised that survival was the key to doing well, but more importantly we have now improved the set-up of the car and got more mileage under our belts in readiness for the next round of the BTRDA Rally First Championship in April,” said Griffin.

Last car home was the Vauxhall Astra GSi of Pendle pair Michael Judson and Paul Blanchard.