Despite the bitterly cold wind, hundreds of rally fans arrived at Kirkistown Racing Circuit to witness the top class entry of World Rally Cars and Group A machinery take to the stages. With nine World Rally Cars present, Denis knew that the competition was going to be tougher than ever.

In spite of a wrong tyre decision, Denis set third fastest time on each of the opening two stages leaving the Eurocables and Excel Metro 6R4 just 3.1 seconds behind event leader, Eugene Donnelly. It was a promising start to the event, which was also sponsored by Eurocables, and the Kinallen man knew that his trusty 6R4 was capable of mixing it with state-of-the-art World Rally Cars.

Stages three and four saw Denis set second fastest time on both tests. A 9.1 second cushion had been created between himself and the third placed 2001 specification Impreza WRC of Maurice Gass. By then, Eugene Donnelly had moved further ahead and Denis knew he that was going to need something special if he was to reduce Donnelly’s 5.2 second advantage over the final two stages.

On stage five, Denis set fastest time to reduce Donnelly’s lead by 1.3 seconds. Donnelly must have been feeling the pressure as he almost rolled the Stan Harper prepared Impreza WRC. Now, with just one stage remaining, Denis was 3.9 seconds in arrears.

It was always going to be a tough job to take four seconds out of Donnelly in one stage but, despite the Millers Oils Metro 6R4 overshooting at a chicane, both Denis Biggerstaff and Eugene Donnelly stopped the clocks on exactly the same time! Donnelly had won the event with Denis Biggerstaff and Damien McCann in second position.

“To race on Eugene’s pace would be fairly mighty so I’m over the moon to be second to him,” Denis said. “I’m sure it was the same for everybody but we were probably dropping around three seconds on some of the stages when we caught up with a few people. I think Eugene maybe had a little bit of a better run – one of the guys pulled in for him a couple of times so it helps you along the way.”

He added: “Second place is good points so there’s hope yet. Bishopscourt will be another hard race for us. If Eugene’s out again he’ll be back in a World Rally Car. It’s a mighty car and he’s a mighty driver so we expect a lot of fun from him.”