A GROUP of trees marked the end of Lee Sharples' hope of a top ten finish in the Peugeot 206 Super Cup in Scotland.

The Darwen driver, with co-driver Martin Quant from Wrexham, went out of the action during Stage Two of the Jim Clark Rally, denying the pair the chance to really test themselves on their favourite tarmac surface.

It was the weather that put paid to their chances.

The rally had started in glorious sunshine and they opted for their dry front tyres with a spare pair of wet tyres.

"We had a steady run through the first opening two mile spectator stage, the pace was fast even though the dry surface was slippy in places," said Sharples.

"Then the heavens opened and caution rather than valour was the order of the day.

"Stage Two was a re-run of the first but the conditions were atrocious. With very little road time between the two stages, it was impossible to change the front tyres until after Stage Two so again a steady run was the aim."

But it was not to be for Sharples.

"Around 150 metres into the stage, downhill from a flat out crest, the road was waterlogged with 50mm of running water for 70 metres where the road turned sharp right over a substantial stone bridge."

The Ovalworld of Blackburn-sponsored car had no hope of stopping.

"Our only option was to try and limit the damage and at all costs avoid hitting the parapet where the car was heading. We put the car into the ditch and hedge to the left of the road but it was to no avail.

"We managed to clear the bridge but ploughed on into a group of trees at around 60mph - a very sudden and solid stop!"