DURSLEY'S David Stokes finished an excellent second overall in the Post-Historic category and first in class on the Manx Historic Rally last weekend.

Twenty special stages held over two days made up the of the Bumpy Isle of Man Roads.

Stokes, with co-driver Guy Weaver, got off to a cracking start on day one, increasing his lead after every stage despite dropping 20 seconds on stage six with an off. He arrived back at the TT Grandstand on Friday evening leading reigning champion Steve Smith’s Porsche 911 by 35 seconds. Day two weather conditions changed dramatically with rain and thick fog making things somewhat tricky. Smith’s superior traction of the Porsche started to make inroads into Stokes’ lead, finally overtaking the Dursley driver with just three stages remaining.

Stokes consolidated his position over the final few miles to bring the Draycott Bakeries Ashmores Escort RS 1600 home to Douglas a fine second overall with championship points awarded for both days. Stokes and Weaver picked up maximum points for leg one and second points for leg two. “It’s been a good weekend for us, but a shame conditions changed on Saturday. The Porsche came into its own then and reeled us in, but we are happy enough,” said Weaver.