NEIL Simpson made British Rally Championship history by becoming the first driver to finish in the Top 10 with a diesel-engined car.

Simpson, from Colne, embarrassed the petrol-powered opposition with a storming run on the Jim Clark Memorial Rally, bringing his Volkswagen Golf TDi home in ninth overall.

"I'm delighted, and looking forward to driving home the diesel message again on the Ulster rally later this month," said Simpson.

Partnered by County Down's Michael Gibson for the first time, the pair enjoyed a virtually trouble-free run, beating all of the four-wheel-drive cars in the rally.

"Poor weather conditions made the roads very slippery for us, but the car ran impeccably throughout. Ninth place is a real achievement for us," he added. Simpson's third class win of the season guarantees victory for him in the championship's inaugural Diesel Cup category.

With team-mates Mark Higgins and Raimund Baumschlager also finishing in the Top 10, Volkswagen maintained their second place in the manufacturer's title race, 27 points behind leader Renault.

Team leader Higgins, from Wales, suffered several disappointments during the two-day event, not least of which was a 40-second time penalty imposed for late service check-out, after his Golf GTi required urgent attention to a wheel bearing and the gearbox.

Despite the setback, the pair set five top three stage times over the course of the final nine stages - a feat equalled by Austrian Baumschlager in the second GTi.

A spin on Stage 18 cost them three minutes, the only damaged being to their chances of a podium placing.

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