Collister and Yates take 2018 opener

Navigational Rally Championship off to a flyer

Jess Collister and Adam Yates edged a close battle to win the opening race of the 2018 Isle of Man Navigational Rally Championship on Saturday night.

The 2017 champions held off the challenge of Scott Bradshaw and Richard Skinner – competing in their first event for nearly a year – to win Druidale Motor Club's January rally.

The changeable weather conditions and falling temperatures certainly added to the spectacle with Leigh Jones and Rory McCann in third spot.

Retuning to the road rally scene, chocolateer and Christmas pudding maker Karl Berrie, with Richard Beaumont on the maps, won class B; Colin Whitelegg and Emma Kennaugh were second and Rhys Warrilow and Jodie Smith third.

Ben Hardy and Sophie Hardy-Cowley won C class, recently introduced to encourage new crews to compete.