JOHN Thompson is the new leader of the BTRDA Silver Star Rally Championship.

Third place on the Cumbrian-based Malcolm Wilson Rally was enough to give the Slaidburn driver the lead in Britain's top clubman series.

Heavy snow and freezing overnight temperatures made the going treacherous on the opening tests in Comb and Grizedale, but Thompson and co-driver David Hancock kept on pace - and on the road - to claim second place after three stages.

But gearbox problems on the Track-Tec Escort Cosworth prevented Thompson from keeping up with eventual winners Steve Petch and Peter Croft in their Escort World Rally Car.

Going into the afternoon section Thompson came under pressure from the Mitsubishi of Dom Buckley and Neil Ewing, who set fastest time on two stages to take the runners-up spot by 18 seconds.

The results gives Thompson a one point lead over Shropshire driver Shaun Gardener at the top of the Silver Star championship.

Battle resumes in Aberdeen next month on the Granite City Rally. Earby driver Iain Shirlaw finished 46th overall and fifth in class in his Motorsport Direct-backed Vauxhall Nova GSi.

The result leaves Shirlaw and co-driver Martin Moore lying fourth overall in the A6 category.

Top ten overall: 1: Steve Petch/Peter Croft (Escort WRC) 52 mins 26 secs; 2: Dom Buckley/Neil Ewing (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) 53.03; 3; John Thompson/David Hancock (Escort Cosworth) 53.21; 4: Stuart Egglestone/Steve Egglestone (Escort RS) 53.41; 5: Bob Green/Mal Capstick (Escort Cosworth) 53.46; 6: Wayne Sisson/Miles Whitelock (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) 54.06; 7: Phil Burton/Mick Fallows (Escort Mk II) 55.07; 8: Shaun Gardener/Tony Mantle (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) 55.16; 9: Martin Healer/Martin White (Escort Cosworth) 55.19; 10: Martin Meadows/Ian Oakey (Proton Compact) 55.26.

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