FIVE equals four for rallyman Steve Simpson, who chalked up his fourth successive victory on the 2008 Legend Fires North West Stages.

And Saturday's win - with almost two minutes to spare over his rivals - made it five in total for the Bury-based Hyundai driver.

Simpson and co-driver Mark Booth dominated the one-day event to such an extent that none of the other 120 starters got a look in.

From the opening Blackpool promenade test, the national tarmac champion was top of the standings throughout the day in his ex-factory WRC machine.

But arguably the drive of the rally came from event sponsor John Stone in his Legend Fires-backed Metro 6R4.

One of the favourites for victory, Stone and co-driver Lee Carter plummeted down the leaderboard after going off on the Weeton stage attempting to pass second-seed Tony Bardy.

Forced to take a maximum time, the pair then suffered a further delay when the car wouldn't start at Clifton, with a bump start the only option.

By this time, Stone was down in a lowly 30th place, by which time he clearly decided the only way was up.

No less than 11 fastest stage times hauled the immaculate 6R4 back up to a well-earned third place by the finish back in Blackpool, one-and-a-half minutes behind second-placed Tony Bardy.

Subaru men Graham Coffey and Simon Hunter shrugged off problems with the paddle shift on their Impreza WRC, to mount their own recovery, climbing to third before being pipped by Stone on the last pair of tests.

Fifth place went to Bob Grant and Peter Carstairs in another Impreza whilst Duncan Taylor and Stephen Graveson had a trouble free run to finish sixth in the Lancer Evo4.

The only East Lancashire finishers were Phil Scholes and Jamie Foster, from Clitheroe and district motor club, who claimed an excellent second in class and 26th overall in their Peugeot 205GTi.

This year's North West Stages lived up to its tough reputation with almost half the field - 53 in total - retiring.

Andrew and Derek Benson, from Garstang and Preston MC, crashed into the promenade railings within 500 yards of the stage start in their Peugeot 205GTi before going off again further up the road, forcing the cancellation of the opening pair of tests.

Thirteen was an unlucky start number for Richard Banks and Phil Peak, formerly from Oswaldtwistle, who lasted until SS20 before retiring their Subaru Impreza.

Pendle DMC member Dave Blackburn fell victim to the kerbs at Weeton Army Camp, going out on SS12, two stages later than SD34 Championship contender Paul Blanchard, from Clitheroe DMC.

Stage ten also claimed Wayne and Dale Thomas' ex-works Escort WRC whilst challenging for a place in the top 10.

2008 Legend Fires North West Stages Results: Overall: 1: Steve Simpson/Mark Booth (Hyundai Accent WRC) 90:34; 2: Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Nissan GTi-R) 92:19; 3: John Stone/Lee Carter (Metro 6R4) 93:49; 4: Graham Coffey/Simon Hunter (Impreza WRC) 93:57; 5: Bob Grant/Pete Cartstairs (Impreza) 94:17; 6: Duncan Taylor/Stepehn Graveson (Mitsubish Evo4) 95:40.

Class winners: Graham Coffey/Simon Hunter (Impreza WRC); Martin Faffar/Andy Ward (MGZR); Dave Benson/Steve Benson (Peugeot 205) Best novice: Phil Adams/Paul Adams (205GTi)