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

Simpson, from Colne, and new co-driver Michael Gibson brought their Volkswagen Golf TDi home in ninth place on the Jim Clark Memorial Rally, based in Duns, Scotland.

Clitheroe's Martin Meadows, making his BRC debut for the factory Proton team, finished fifth in class and 23rd overall.

Victory went to Finland's Tapio Laukkanen in a Renault Megane.

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