LONGPARISH rally driver Justin Dale was this week on top of the world after clinching the country's top rallying title. The 30 year old from Longparish was crowned 2001 Formula Rally Champion after a decisive win on the Prodrive Banbury Rally - the finale to this year's season.

A jubilant Dale said he was delighted to win after a tensely fought Championship in the Formula Rally series - a new championship which attracts the country's top young drivers in 1600cc cars.

Together with Manx co-driver Andrew Bargery, Justin was competing in the works backed Peugeot 106 GTi entry and both paid tribute to the performance and reliability of the car.

Competition was fierce from the championship's first round in the Spring and Justin went into last weekend's event trailing Ford's Martin Rowe by just two points.

A win was the only way the Longparish driver could lift the UK's most sought after rally title and he was determined to bring the trophy back to Hampshire.

"The final round was a series of short, sharp stages and we knew that any little mistake would have cost us the championship," said Dale. "We led on the first stage but it was extremely tight and even going into the final of the 14 stages at Silverstone we could have lost the title."

But a confident drive from Dale saw the pair return to Banbury victorious, a 10 second lead over Rowe enough to clinch the title. "Its an amazing feeling to be champion and it hasn't really sunk in yet," he said.

"The competition all season has been extremely close but to win on the final stage has meant an exciting contest for everyone involved.

Dale now plans to defend his title next year and hopefully move up the rallying ladder to tackle a number of World Championship events. "Winning the 2001 Formula Rally title puts my name in front of some influential people and by letting my driving do the talking I hope to be very busy next year."