WARRINGTON'S Malcolm Hague is leading the BTRDA National Rally Championship despite being a relative newcomer to the sport and driving a car that rolled off the production line nearly 30 years ago.

The 48-year-old from Thelwall stormed to victory in the last round of the championship, putting in some of the fastest stage times ever seen in the sport.

That followed second-placed finishes in the first and second rounds and Hague is hoping to continue his progress in the fourth round which starts in Somerset tomorrow, Friday.

Hague's involvement with the sport was limited to event organising until 1999.

He was also a keen spectator but he had never raced competitively until he became involved with Rallyschool.co.uk.

Hague progressed through the ranks at the school, gaining valuable experience behind the wheel before deciding to enter the national rally championship for the first time at the start of the year.

Hague's co-driver is Dave Read and they represent a back to basics combination of raw talent.

They drive a Classic Mk2 RS Escort, which is almost 30 years old and had to be rebuilt in January 2004.

The cars they come up against in the championship are worth up to 10 times the value of the Escort but you would never know judging by Hague's performances.

He has been able to get the best out of the Escort so far this season and he now considers the championship title to be a realistic target.