ADRIAN Kermode and co-driver Liz Jordan, from Hollingbourne, scored another good result at the weekend by finishing fourth in the latest round of the Volkswagen Polo Rally Challenge, the Kent-based Ashford Rally.

Kermode and Jordan were crewing their Corkills and Duckhams-backed Group N Polo for the event, the sixth round of the series. Leading finisher was Lancashire's David Bateson, who crossed the finish line 28 seconds ahead of championship leader Clive Wheeler. Newly crowned Volkswagen Racing Cup Champion Michael Neuhoff was third on his maiden rally.

Kermode's points haul consolidates his fifth overall position in the championship. The next round of the series is the Duns-based Jim Clark Memorial Rally on November 2/3.

YOUNG rally superstar Martin Sansom, from Sidcup, saw his hopes of victory on the Barretts Rally of Kent fade when the gearbox broke on his Peugeot 106 Super Gti on the fourth of 16 special stages. He struggled through the fifth stage at Chattenden Barracks before returning to the service area at the Kent County Showground in Detling.

In a race against the clock, the team of four mechanics changed the gearbox and clutch to keep the car in the rally without incurring any time penalties. Martin and co-driver Phil Wells, from Dartford, picked up the pace through the Kentish forests to dominate the privateer class of the Formula Rally Championship event, which finished at the McArthur Glen designer outlet, Ashford.

They were presented finished fourth overall and first in the privateers class, increasing their lead in the Privateer Championship.