WEAVERTHORPE rally driver Steve Bannister continued his fine start to the New Pig Scottish Championship with his second consecutive class victory last Saturday.

Competing in the Jedburgh-based Brick and Steel Border Counties Rally, Bannister manouevred his rebuilt Ford Escort Mk II round the Kielder forests to finish first in the two-wheel drive category and 16th overall.

He said: "We had a slight mishap when we slid off the road and got stuck for two minutes and some spectators had to push us back on the track. There was no damage to the car though and I was really pleased with how things went. The conditions were dry which suited the two-wheel drive cars."

The result left Bannister in eighth place overall in the championship, with the distinction of being the only two-wheel drive competitor in the top 20.

The next round is the Argyll Stages in Dunoon on April 20. Before then, Bannister will take part in the North Humberside Forest Rally on April 6 - an event which takes in part of the North York Moors and which should attract several members of Malton Motor Club.

Updated: 09:52 Thursday, March 28, 2002