HEREFORDSHIRE farmer Roger Chilman fell just short in his bid to secure the Fuchs British Historic Rally Championship on the weekend in the North Yorkshire forests.

Chilman went into event knowing if he could take maximum championship points from rival Nick Elliott then both himself and co-driver Patrick Walsh would take the much sought after title.

The Trackrod Historic Cup entry list was stacked full of talented historic entries so it certainly was not going to be an easy ride.

The format followed that of previous years with an opening difficult 12-mile test nighttime test in Dalby Forest on Friday night.

The following day saw competitors compete over stages in the famous forests of Cropton Gale Rigg Staindale, a re-run of Fridays Dalby test and then a final 13-mile stage in Langdale.

Chilman was driving his Haywood Crushing Demolition, Securcom, Dansford, Connop & Son, Evans Cleaning Escort RS1800.

With the possibility of securing the championship the Herefordshire driver struggled to find any rhythm and set 11th fastest in the on the opening test.

The following daylight stages offered the duo the opportunity to have a real go at the Fiat 131 of Elliott.

However, Chilman struggled to get into any real rhythm and he was conscious of pushing too hard and risking going off.

Chilman settled to pick up more points and take the battle into the final round finishing 5th, yet again the Wales Motorsport car never missed a beat.

"I just couldn't get into it,” said Chilman.  “I had no rhythm, maybe I was just too cautious but I wasn't prepared to risk everything to try and pull time back on Nick so we'll take the battle into the final round.

“It was good to do some miles in darkness even if it was at 85% in readiness for the RAC at the end of November."

The result leaves the championship in the balance with Elliott needing to win the Carlisle Stages and Chilman can finish as low as fourth and still claim the crown.

The event is based entirely in the Kielder Forest complex with Friday night stages once again.

"We are under no illusions that this is going to be a difficult rally as Kielder is probably the most demanding forest in the UK especially at night,” Chilman added.

“With rallying it’s never over until you cross that finish line and Nick will be going all out to claim another historic title.

“We’ll have to be on our game and like the weekend there is a fantastic entry list but we’ll go there and give it our best shot." 

The Kielder Water & Forest Park Carlisle Stages takes place on the weekend of October 20 and 21.