STOURBRIDGE'S Richard Sykes suffered a disappointing first contest of the season after mechanical problems forced him into retirement on the penultimate stage of Cumbrian Rally while leading his class.

The opening stages were very wet and slippery but Sykes made a good start in his Citroën DS3 R3, taking the lead of his class.

“Conditions were very challenging early on,” said Sykes. “As well as the slippery surface we also had visibility problems due to the very low sun dazzling us and there are some pretty big drops in Wales so I drove quite cautiously but I was quick enough to be leading the class at first service.

"I was very happy with this as the stages were very tight and technical which doesn’t really suit our car.”

After service the following stages were more open and faster and Sykes stepped up the pace, not only leading his class but also setting fastest time of all the two-wheel drive cars.

It looked as though Sykes and co-driver Simon Taylor would be getting their season off to a flying start but hopes of a great result were ended in stage six when a bottom arm rose joint broke on the suspension, an issue which meant the crew could not carry on.

“We were going really well on the faster stages and we were absolutely on it when we had the suspension breakage. It’s a shame we came away with no points but I’m pleased we showed we have the pace to be at the top of the two-wheel drive leaderboard. Simon did a great job on the notes, he was excellent on the technical stages.

"I think the hours of pre-event work we put in really paid off. The car set-up and preparation was spot on, I can’t wait to drive it again in anger.”

Sykes will be competing again on the Malcolm Wilson rally in Cumbria in early March.