RALLY driver Steve Head's first competitive experience of a four-wheel drive ended half-a-mile from the finish when a top-10 finish looked likely in the Hexham-based Centurion Rally.

Head, from Carnforth, and Penrith-based co-driver Andrew Dugdale were prearing for next season's British Rally Championship after dominating last year's 1600cc production cars section.

Head's aim is to be a works driver and taking the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 over the killer Keilder stage was part of the learning process.

Slowed by an accident in which the co-driver was trapped, Head was still lying eighth overall despite running with a puncture for four miles when the engine died within sight of the chequered flag.