BLACKBURN'S Phil Scholes took his new Peugeot 205 out for a debut spin at the Hayhursts of Longridge Hall Trophy Stages - and finished 10th overall and second in class.

The 18-year-old only recently swapped his Nissan Micra for the Peugeot and entered the rally, which is run by Clitheroe and District Motor Club at Weeton Army Barracks, near Blackpool, to gauge how much of a challenge he would be able to put up next season.

And judging by the latest result on an incredibly wet and windy event the trainee technician and co-driver James Whitaker, from Skipton, will definitely be a duo to watch.

His dad Rob said: "Phil was using this event to see what he could do in the car and if he was able to drive it competitively. The drive was absolutely superb and the car didn't miss a beat all day."

Scholes was narrowly beaten in class by a Mk II Escort, while only 35 cars finished, with 17 retiring. Conditions were so bad that part of the stage was flooded and resembled more a reservoir than rally!

Dave Blackburn and Stephen Riley (both from Colne) finished 14th overall in a Datsun Violet (an ex-Taxi!), while Dave Barritt (Hapton) and Angie Stanley finished 20th overall in a Vauxhall Chevette.

John Cressey and Ben Anderson were 25th (Minisport of Padiham BMW Mini Cooper).

And Dominic McTear (Clitheroe) and Irvine Holtom (Burnley) finished 29th in a Peugeot 205.

Meanwhile Accrington's Steve Johnson and Steve Butler finished third in the F1000 and 18th overall in the event, securing third overall in the F1000 drivers championship plus second in class B1.

Dave Barratt, in Steve Johnson's other Micra, finished fifth overall, with Heather Johnson co- driving. That result sees Barratt third overall in the co-drivers and first in class B1.

Dale Thomas retired the Escort WRC with ECU problems.