JOHN Thompson maintained his challenge for the BTRDA Silver Star championship after finishing fifth overall on the Dukeries Rally.

Another consistent drive saw the Slaidburn driver move into fourth place in the drivers' standings, just 15 points behind series leader Simon Crook.

Thompson, with York's David McKinlay on the maps for the first time, didn't put a wheel wrong in his Track-Tec Escort Cosworth, ending the day 51 seconds down on winner Brian Bell, driving the ex-Juha Kankkunen Escort WRC.

The result gave Thompson his sixth finish from seven rounds so far this year.

Sponsored by Sutton Auto Factors, this year's Dukeries celebrated its 40th anniversary with a capacity 150-car entry contesting 10 stages in the East Midlands forests of Clipstone and Blidworth.

Dukeries top six: 1: Brian Bell/Paul Spooner (Escort WRC) 45m 04s; 2: Simon Crook/Alister Crook (Sierra Cosworth) 45.11; 3: Pete Littler/Andy Marchbank (Escort Cosworth); 4: Ian Joel/Graeme Wood (Escort Cosworth); 5: John Thompson/David McKinlay (Escort Cosworth) 45.55; 6: Richard Lepley/Simon Double (Escort Cosworth) 46.21.

Silver Star overall: 1: Simon Crook 150 points; 2: Ian Joel 143; 3: John Perrott 139; 4:John Thompson 135; 5: Peter Woodhead 121; 6: Brian Bell 117.

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