Last weekend?s Jim Clark Rally, round two of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, saw Lisburn Driver Phillip Morrow score his best result to-date, when he finished on the podium for the first time in an international rally.

Driving his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, together with his co-driver Daniel Barritt from Burnley, Phillip overcame a variety of difficulties in his determination to get to the finish, his efforts rewarded with an excellent third place.

Starting and finishing in Kelso the Jim Clark Rally, as well as the British series, was also a round of the Global Group Irish Tarmac Championship, which brings with it a host of WRC cars. The event itself is unique, as it is the only stage rally on the UK mainland that takes place on closed public roads.

The competition began on Friday evening with two spectator-friendly stages near Duns ? the short runs through Langton 1 and 2 proving to be more difficult for Phillip than he had expected after organisers had altered the running order, meaning that he was the first car on the road. Other than a half-spin as he exited the infamous water-splash, everything went well and he started Saturday?s 10 stages fourth in the British Championship standings and 13th overall.

Although having to contend with his car?s ignition switch causing the car to intermittently cut-out and a small under-bonnet fire, Phillip made good progress for the first four stages of the day, consolidating his BRC position and climbing to seventh overall. But then a puncture on SS7, coupled with a brush with the scenery due to the subsequent degradation of his car?s handling, dropped him back to 12th, albeit still fourth of the British runners.

Following the lunch-time service halt Phillip went out to make up for lost time, but on SS9 the car?s front differential became inactive ? another consequence of the puncture ? meaning that he had to complete the remaining five miles of that and the following stage in just front-wheel-drive.

Back in service the differential was replaced, but it transpired that the knock-on effect of the transmission?s stresses and strains had meant that the car?s centre-diff had become inactive, reducing the levels of grip. This was not good news for the final three stages of the day, as the heavens had opened and the roads became incredibly slippery.

However, a concentrated effort saw Phillip and Daniel make it back to base for Saturday?s overnight stop and with 45 minutes of service time in the morning, the offending parts were replaced.

With other competitors suffering problems, they moved up to a comfortable third after Sunday?s first stage and, with the car in front too far away to catch and the car following a long way behind, Phillip opted for a cautions approach to the day?s remaining five stages. With a clean run to the finish, he crossed the line delighted to have taken third place in the British Championship and a highly commendable eight overall.

?I?m really pleased to have scored my first podium finish in an international rally- especially after such an eventful weekend?, said Phillip. ?It would have been good to have challenged for the top two places and our stage times show that if we had a trouble-free event, we may just have been able to do that. Next time perhaps!?

Phillip now turns his attentions back to the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, which he currently leads and prepares himself for next Saturday?s Severn Valley National Rally and the event?s 70 miles of gravel forest stages in mid-Wales.

Phillip?s 2007 campaign is supported by Morrow Fuels, Matador Tyres, Lyons European Haulage, Lagan Motor Factors, DGM Motorsport, Kelly?s Toyota, Proflex, PIAA, Speedline Corse, AMS gear kits, BADMC and RPM Promotions.