TORRENTIAL rain and gale force winds failed to put a dampener on Bury AC's inaugural Tim Sargeant memorial autotest.

As the final round of the ANWCC championship, the event attracted a healthy 20-car entry at Spring Street car park.

And although the organisers were forced to put the brakes on the event after nine of the proposed 18 tests, they were rewarded with one of the closest contests of the year.

Just nine seconds separated the top four, with Accrington's Steve Johnson splashing his way to a deserved overall victory in his T.Blank Tyres Mini 1275, two seconds ahead of Gordon Holmes' Westfield sports car.

Third place -- another two seconds behind -- was Bury AC member John North in a Volkswagen Polo special.

"It's great to win any event, but even more so with this one," said Johnson afterwards.

"Tim was a good friend as well as a great rival in autotesting, and it will give me great pleasure to have my name on the new trophy."

Johnson's win has moved him into second place in the final drivers' standings, and after competing in no less than 16 ANWCC autotests this year driving his 1100cc and 1275cc cars, he has also clinched the A and B class titles.

OVERALL RESULTS: 1: Steve Johnson (Mini) 493 seconds; 2: Gordon Holmes (Westfield) 495 secs; 3: John North (Polo Special) 497 secs.

Class results: A: Dave Goodlad; B: Anthony Preston; C: John Graves; D: Peter Sharples; E: Gordon Holmes; F: John North.