‘TO finish first, first you must finish’ is a well-worn phrase in sporting circles – none more so than motorsport.

And for Steve Entwistle, contesting his first-ever Rally of the Tests, getting to the finish line was his first priority.

But the Rishton-based rallyman exceeded all his own expectations by claiming a brilliant second in class and ninth overall.

“In 20 years of driving, and given the level of the competition on the ROTT, I think it’s my best-ever achievement,” said Entwistle at the finish.

“When we crossed the finish line in Harrogate, there was an overwhelming sense of achievement that was almost emotional.”

The bi-annual event is a hugely-popular recreation of the RAC Rallies from the 1960’s, with competitors from all over Europe tackling a series of driving tests and timed-to-the-second regularities spread across five days and more than 700 miles in Wales, the Midlands and Northern England.

Open to classic cars, with only pre-1962 cars eligible for overall awards, the ROTT is no jaunt in the countryside.

“The Rally of the Tests is tough on the driver, navigator and car. You have to drive at a pace that keeps you at the front of the field, whilst preserving the car for the days ahead,” added Entwistle.

“There are 31 tests, 30 regularities and 241 manned controls, so there’s no let-up at all.

“Most days we were on the road by 7.30am and not getting to the overnight halt until late in the evening. That’s a long day in 50-year-old Mini with 997cc under the bonnet.”

Up against the cream of British and European historic rally crews, Entwistle and his navigator Bob Hargreaves got off to a flying start at the opening night’s competition around Chester.

Sixth quickest on the opening farm test, the pair ended the first day 17th overall from a field of almost 80 cars.

The second day through Wales, which comprised a series of tests and regularities in forests, farms and kart circuits saw Steve and Bob move up to 11th overall - despite the appalling weather.

Entwistle added: “The car seemed to be like a sponge. With all the rain, it felt like I was driving a motorised foot spa. Every time I braked, I could hear all the water sloshing about in the footwells.

“But Saturday’s leg from Stoke to Windermere was the toughest day.

“We set off at 7am and didn’t stop until we got to the overnight halt at 11pm, the pace was relentless.

“By mid-day we knew we were inside the top 10 and second in class, but the times were so close we daren’t make a mistake, which all added to the pressure inside the car.

“The pace was such that on tests such as Catterick Camp, we were doing 80mph on gravel, airborne in places, and still arriving at the finish control two seconds late!”

Despite driving a 52-year-old car, Entwistle’s famous ex-Roy Mapple Orangebox Mini only protested once during the whole event – and that was two miles from the finish in Harrogate.

“The engine started to make a rattle, and my first thought was ‘Please, no, not when we are so close!’, but it didn’t let me down.

“It was a fantastic feeling to finish in the top 10, way beyond what I dared hope for.

“But rallying is a team effort and I couldn’t have done it without Bob, who was superb on the maps, and Orangebox.

“I also have to say thanks to my sponsors, Mini Sport of Padiham who have been brilliant in backing me all season.

“The whole event was 10 months in the planning and five days in the execution, and while I was sad when it was all over, I was completely shattered by Sunday night. “If I had the money – which I don’t – I would definitely do it all again.”