WEST Somerset had its own winner in the Somerset Stages Rally when Minehead’s Chris Hickman came home first in his class.

Chris was driving an MG ZR with co-driver Glyn Thomas and they are pictured left on their way to winning the Rally First 1.4 litre section.

And what made victory all the sweeter was that the car was built by Chris’s own company, West Somerset Motors in Alcombe.

“We’d prepared well for the event and managed to negotiate an improved seeding with the organisers to help with road position,” said Chris.

“Whilst we knew we’d be mixing it with more powerful machinery, it was important to make the most of road conditions in the forests.

“Thanks to new tyres supplied by Rally Collection UK, we were able to press home the advantage on the tarmac Porlock toll road and went into the final forest loop with a 15 second lead.

“I’m absolutely delighted to claim my first class win on my home event and particularly in a car that my business has built.”

Chris and Glyn focussed on an error free finish to the rally, and as well as their class win they finished 55th overall.

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Photo: Wheelspin Photography