Former British National and Historic rally champion Steve Perez claimed victory on today's Quinton Stages rally making it two wins in a row in the Silverstone Tyres Gold Star BTRDA Rally Series.

Perez, from Chesterfield, and Welsh co-driver Paul Spooner, were competing in the sixth round of series in their ex-Marcus Gronholm Ford Focus WRC. Right from the start they were involved in an extremely close battle with Andy Burton with only seconds separating them.

On stage four, Perez really started pushing, taking ten seconds out of Burton's time and moving them to the head of the leaderboard. Burton retired on stage five leaving Championship leader Roger Chilman to take up the chase but Perez was able to increase his lead by winning the remaining stages.

With Chilman retiring in sight of the flying finish on the last stage it means that the maximum points for the win take Perez and Spooner to the top of the Championship table with only two rounds to go.

"We were enjoying a close battle with Andy Burton in the early stages and I was really sorry to see him retire with mechanical problems. Once I knew Andy was out I just concentrated on bringing the car home, the stages were fantastic and the car ran perfectly and with maximum points it has moved us to the top of the table" said Steve.

The next round of the Championship is the Woodpecker Stages Rally based in Ludlow on 4th September.

Result:

• 1st Steve Perez/Paul Spooner - Ford Focus WRC - 0:44:30
• 2nd James Belton/Eurig Evans - Subaru Impreza WRC - 0:45:59
• 3rd Patrick Naylor/Ian Lawrence - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - :0:47:00
• 4th Paul Davy/Roger Allan - Subaru Impreza - 0:47:08
• 5th Gary Cooper/Jon Riley - Subaru Impreza - 0:47:23
• 6th John Lloyd/Adrian Cavenagh - Ford Focus WRC - 0:47:27

Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Rally Series 2010
Championship Points (Provisional) after round 6

• 1st Steve Perez 146 points
• 2nd Roger Chilman 143
• 3rd Tristan Bailey 123
• 4th Paul Davy 119
• 5th Patrick Naylor 104
• 6th Jon Ballinger 102