FANTASTIC weather blessed Phil Morgan and Andy Bull at the start of the TAC Rally in Belgium last weekend. It was just what they had hoped for.

Although disappointed to be seeded 16th the duo had a sensational run through the opening 7.2km Schuifeskapelle stage as they pushed their Subaru Impreza WRC straight into second place overall.

Another second fastest time through the very short De Ratte stage saw them consolidate their position on the leaderboard.

The third stage was cancelled because there were too many spectators near the roads, but a mistake on stage four, the 10km De Oosthoek stage saw them drop to fourth - basically, they went the wrong way! But they only dropped eight seconds although they reckon the mistake cost them 15 seconds at least - so they could have taken the lead.

The final stage of the first lap was the 8km De Poelberg stage. Another second fastest time brought the duo to within six seconds of the overall leader.

Knowing that victory was within their grasp, they set off into leg two with determination. A spin cost a few seconds, then on the 3.6km De Ratte stage, disaster struck.

Not far from the finsh Phil lost control of the Impreza - under-braking for a tight right hand bend, and the car spun round and headed backwards towards a bridge and ditch.

"We knew the bridge was there and as the scenery rushed past our window, we just had to sit tight and wait for the impact," said Andy.

Fortunately the car missed the bridge by less than two inches and fell backwards into the five foot deep ditch.

They eventually managed to summon help to get the car back on the road. "All we did was crack the rear bumper," said Andy. But the nine minutes they lost dropped them out of contention for the overall lead, and the rally was no longer winnable.

At the end of the leg, after setting second fastest time on every stage, they were eventually forced to withdraw.

at the half way point.

Andy explains why: "Like a Formula 1 car, may of the components on this car, such as the gearbox and differentials, are designed to last for a certain number of kilometers. To have them rebuilt or replaced is extremely expensive indeed. It works out at about 220 pounds per mile we drive!! We couldn't win the rally, and we didn't need any more experience, so we did the sensible and withdrew on the podium at the half way point. It was very rewarding and uplifting when the commentator announced that our rally had come to an end and the crowd gave us a big round of applause. Many of them came upto us in the bar and told us they thought we were the best!"