DESPITE hitting a wall and suffering a time penalty for changing a clutch Leominster youngster Dan Petrie took a big category victory in the Roberts Garages' Jersey Stages.

The popular event offered a mammoth 120 miles over 28 tests on the island.

Petrie was co-driver for the internationally renowned Dai Roberts in their Peugeot 205 GTI.

The pair had a big push on the opening loop, but had to change the clutch at service after they then hit a wall on stage eight and bended a wheel.

Despite their issues they finished the opening leg an amazing eighth overall and first in class.

With Saturday's, heavy rain the duo suffered a broken drive shaft and a short shaft breakage, costing them time.

However, a big push now on the final loop saw them recover to finish 13th and first in class, winning the class by a massive seven minutes.

Meanwhile, Jamie Vaughan teamed up with Steve Ellis in his two-litre Escort complete with a new engine.

This was the first time out in six months for Eliis who took a while to get into the groove sitting 11th going into the sixth stage.

An unfortunate red flagged mid-stage, gave the crew a notional time and dropping them back to 19th.

However, a big push on Friday's stages in darkness saw them finish the opening leg in 13th and fifth in class.

Saturday's leg was very wet and despite a few over-shoots the duo climbed to finish eighth overall and second in class.

Meanwhile, last Sunday's Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally held at a wet Donnington Park saw mixed fortunes for two local crews.

Jon Petrie with Heather Phelps carried on their battle against Barry Pavey for the CMSG title going into the the penultimate round of the series.

After a solid start on the opening test the pair in their Rally CUK, Andrew Bowen Transport, Templar Windscreens backed Peugeot 106 picked up a 30 second penalty on stage two after hitting a chicane.

The spin under braking from around 100mph, damaged the front wing and loosing a headlight, leaving them 51st after stage four.

After another high-speed spin cost them about 40 seconds at the end of the final stage they were classified 45th and fifth in class.

The series goes to a winner takes all shoot out at the Showground Stages at Builth Wells on November 9.

Despite his issues Petrie was happy with the cars performance.

He said: "We've had a great day despite the penalty, the title fight goes to Builth.

"That's the 32nd consecutive finish for the car, it never missed a beat all day."

It wasn't a good event for ladies crew Sam Pitch and Lucy Owen-Maczadio in their Rover MG after soldiered on following two maximums to finish 64th and 12th in class.