But the drama wasn't over and, as he exited stage four, Bogie became aware that his car's head gasket had started to leak, causing him to drive with one eye on the temperature gauge for the remainder of the event.
Positions at the front of the Evo Challenge field stayed the same for SS4 and SS5, but on the sixth and final stage, a final push by Barry saw him edge ahead of McCance to take second place behind Elsmore, who was a little disappointed not to become champion, but very pleased with his day's work.
“I did all I could to take the title by winning today, but it depended on David (Bogie) finishing sixth or lower”, said Elsmore, who ends the year equal on points with Bogie, but second in the standings, by virtue of the fact he didn't do so well on the opening round.
“I'm not too disappointed though, as the event has gone really well and the car ran perfectly. It's been an excellent season and great to be battling for the title right up to the end, so I'm looking forward to coming back for more next season.”
Crossing the line in fifth place, a delighted and relieved Bogie said: “That was close! At one point I thought I wasn't going to make it, so as soon as I got into fifth place I just took it steady. It was really difficult to know what speed to drive and I would like to have been up there with the rest battling for position today, but I came here to do a job and I'm delighted to win the Evo Challenge title.”
Bogie will now go on to receive his award, which has recently been announced as a works drive in this year's Wales Rally GB.
Mitsubishi is also currently looking at 'other options', details of which will be confirmed in the next few weeks.
The Bulldog Rally meanwhile also saw the conclusion of the co-drivers championship, the title going to Martin Brady, who partnered Richard Cathcart earlier in the season before joining Daniel Barry for the final two rounds. The outcome also sees Barry take the PIAA Junior Award for under 25-year old drivers and Elsmore win the Performance Friction Brakes Cup.
