A WARM, sunny and spring-like day greeted competitors at the testing Woolminstone venue near Crewkerne for the Golden Springs Trial organised by the Woolbridge Motor Club.

Neil Mackay made a superb start at the wheel of his Citroen AX GT. The Nottingham driver motored through the first eight tests dropping just six penalty points, five awarded on one section.

Mackey led Woolbridge member Shawn Franklin by five points at lunch with Bradford’s Rupert North in third place with 35 penalties.

Nine times B.T.R.D.A. champion Barrie Parker conducted the Westfield SEi with his usual aplomb to lead the Liege S driven by Dick Glossop by three points.

Mackay displayed consistency during the afternoon runs dropping just one point whilst his nearest challenger, Franklin lost two. This gave Mackay the overall victory with the Bristolian taking the class honours ahead of North who finished as the runner-up in the front wheel drive class having dropped 20 points in the final two runs. Status quo was maintained in the rear wheel drive group with Parker taking the win, one point ahead of a charging Glossop.

The Clubman’s event saw Dave and Doug Atkins lead the way amongst those without ballast in their Citroen Saxo. Dave, from Evercreech, stormed into an early lead of nine points at the lunch break. However, Doug levelled on the third run dropping 20 points but with the finish in sight Dave produced a final flourish to win by a 23-point margin.

Victory in the ballasted class went to Dave Hiscock aboard his Citroen Saxo.

The Blandford Forum driver took a consummate victory finishing 43 points ahead of his nearest rival and Saxo driver Will Lawrence.