However the next test proved to be the end of fight back. Around 4 miles in Humphreys and Fagg began to smell burning and as the stage went on the car was getting warmer. With no obvious signs they continued, but at a square right just before the famous Kella crossroads the steering locked and as the car pushed on a flame came from the wheel arch over the bonnet. The crew continued to the crossroads and pulled off the stage before extinguishing the fire.

Investigation was later to suggest that a crack in the exhaust manifold had caused the carbon fibre sump guard to ignite. This in turn burnt away rubber seals on the power steering rack igniting the fluid which continued to burn as it settled on the guard. It melted the rubber under the bonnet including the engine mounts.

"It's disappointing to have retired this early in the event just as we were beginning to climb the leaderboard," said Wyn. "We had an off early in the event and lost time along with the tricky conditions but today we have started to get back towards the pace but it's not to be."

However all was not lost. The Atlas TEG Sport mechanics recovered the car to service and worked into the night replacing the various damaged components including repairing the damaged steering rack so the crew could return to action under SupeRally rules.

The fight was still on for points in the teams' title chase, so it was important they completed as many stages as possible on Saturday and stayed ahead of Revolution Wheels driver Rob Swann, who was also 'SupeRallying'. The pair did just that, eventually returning to the TT Grandstand finish in 32nd place.

"Last year we finished on the podium in the BRC runners on this event and left the island leading the Championship. This year could not have been much further than that. It has been disappointing but we have got to pick ourselves up and turn our attentions to the Ulster International next month and look to get the season back on track," Humphreys vowed at the finish.

Fagg meanwhile was also disappointed with the result on his home event: "After missing the event last year due to other commitments I was really looking forward to the event. Thursday did not go to plan but we started to pull things together on Friday and climb the leaderboard in the search for more points,” he continued.

“The fire we could do nothing about and it was very disappointing to retire so early in the event. SupeRally enabled us to get out on Saturday but we had no reason to push and just had to ensure we got the car round to assist in the team championships which we were able to do. I can't wait now for the Ulster and to put this event behind us."

The result was enough to help keep Atlas TEG Sport at the top of the standings, with team-mate Mark Higgins winning the round outright. They remain top by 5 points, ahead of Team TQ.com. Humphreys and Fagg now drop to seventh and sixth respectively in the overall championship while team-mates Mark Higgins and Rory Kennedy jump up to second overall.