PRESTWICH rally ace, Fin McCaul, suffered a disappointing early end to his Volkswagen Castrol Polo Challenge outing last Friday.

He and his co-driver, Kirstie Cousins, were contesting the fifth round of the championship, the Manx Trophy Rally. The pair only got as far as the third stage of the event when a broken engine mounting put them out.

"It is very disappointing", said Fin, a pharmacist of Prestwich, "because I thought we could have done well..."

The Castrol Polo Challenge celebrated its fifth different winner in as many events, and Liverpool-domiciled Manxman, Adrian Kermode, triumphed.

PROVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PLACINGS

Sophie Robinson (Warwick) 106 points; Clive Wheeler (Albourne) 99; Roger Andersson (Sweden) 71; Ian Chadwick (Cork) & Tony Simpson (Liverpool) 70; Doni Keating Jnr (Tipperary) 68; Kevan Binnie (West Lothian) 56; Fin McCaul (Prestwich) 53; Robert Davies (Raglan) 48; Paul Green (Chelmsford) 46.

Kermode, managing director of Volkswagen retailer Corkills, led from start to finish, crossing the Douglas finish ramp more than two-and-a-half minutes ahead of his closest rival, Swede, Roger Andersson.

Kermode's knowledge of the island's uniquely challenging roads proved invaluable from the outset, particularly given the treacherously wet conditions of the rally's opening day on Friday, and the thick fog which afflicted the Saturday stages.

A delighted Kermode said: "I had hoped to go well but I really wasn't sure how hard the other drivers were going to push me. Winning is a bonus".

With three rounds of the series remaining, Sophie Robinson -- who finished fourth on the Isle of Man -- retained the championship lead. McCaul held eighth place overall.

The Castrol Polo Challenge, which enjoys additional support from Pirelli, Hella and Mintex, continues its nationwide tour in Ulster next month.