David Higgins sealed the 2004 Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship title yesterday [Saturday], after finishing second on the South of England Tempest Rally.
The Tempest Rally was the eighth and final event of the season, the 20 points secured by Higgins enough to give the Hyundai Accent driver the advantage over Austin MacHale, who took third, and therefore finishes two points behind, despite having scored 121 points in total, compared to the 109 of David. With only the best six rounds counting though Higgins is the new champion - 109 vs 107.
"I'm delighted to have won the home series," David told the official PBRC website.
"This year we have been in the right car but it has been difficult to focus on the championship as we never knew if we would have enough money to compete on the next round."
David's brother, Mark took the overall honours on the event, his third win in succession, while Matthew Wilson and Wills Nicholls rounded out the top five.
Mark, who won the BRC in 1997, dominated the event, leading from the start and eventually winning by over 1 minute 20 seconds.
"It has been a memorable day for the Higgins family," was his take, according to the official site.
Simon Hughes meanwhile took the Production category honours [sixth overall], with Dorian Rees second [seventh overall] and Robert Swann third [eleventh overall]. Rees' second place finish was enough to see him clinch the Production title.
In the Super 1600 category, British Junior champion Guy Wilks was the winner, finishing eighth overall, over five seconds up on Barry Clark, who was second in the class [16th overall].
The Ladies Cup honours went to Lorna Smith, while M-Sport took the teams championship and Wales the Nations Cup.
In total 36 cars were classified at the finish, 45 having started the event on Friday.
