A dejected Beebe looked on as James Wozencroft headed out on Sunday morning, convinced he had lost his title. But like Tommi Makkinen in 1999 ‘Lady Luck’ had a change of heart for Beebe. Wozencroft suffered mechanical woes on the final stage of the rally and after working out the math Beebe clinched the 2007 R2 Championship by a mere 1 point in his ageing MG ZR160.
Martin Laverty meanwhile came from behind to take C2R2 honours after both George Thomas and early season leader Jason Pritchard ran into a variety of problems. Thomas survived a multiple roll on Saturday before suffering mechanical failure on Sunday morning whilst Pritchard had an event to forget. After ECU problems scuppered him on Friday, he then lost a wheel on Saturday and finally, to top off a disastrous event, the car would not rev freely on the final four stages on Sunday.
So, at the end of one of the closest title battles seen in many years we have a new champion.
But will Wilks, a WRC regular, return to defend his British title in 2008?
And what of Higgins, a multiple champion - he has expressed a desire to tackle the world stage again, but surely he must want to reclaim his British crown?
Then there is Gwyndaf Evans, who has proved time and again over the past two years that he is as quick and as crafty as always. Surely his pace might have convinced him not to hang up his helmet just yet?
Time will tell...
