WIDNES rally star Fin McCaul closed the gap on second place in the Volkswagen Polo Rally Challenge with another fine drive on Sunday's (Aug. 13) Tyneside Stages.

Co-driven by Paul Green, McCaul finished the 10-stage tarmac-based event in third position in class. It was his second consecutive top-three placing.

"It was my first time on these stages and they were very good" said Fin. "The car was really running well but I didn't feel quite on the pace myself."

McCaul, 37, now holds third place in the championship, just six points behind Dumfries driver Niall Cowan, with everything to play for on the final round, next month's Manx International Rally. "I know my car will go well on the Isle of Man," said Fin, "so it's going to be a good battle."

Sunday's Polo Challenge winner was Lancashire's David Bateson. Borders star Neil Buckley was second to virtually assure himself a £10,000 pay-out and the Volkswagen Polo Rally Challenge Crown.

Buckley's second place raises his championship points tally behind the reach of any of his rivals - but it's a rule that Kelso-based Neil must start the final round before he can claim the championship title and money.

The Volkswagen Polo Rally Challenge - which is supported by Sony, Pirelli, Proflex and Volkswagen Finance - is an eight-round championship for drivers of the potent 1.4 litre 'Group N'Volkswagen Polo.

Volkswagen Polo Rally Challenge provisional points after round 7 (of 8); 1 Neil Buckley (Kelso), 181 points; 2 Niall Cowan (Dumfries), 157; 3 Fin McCaul (Widnes), 151; 4 David Bateson (Nelson), 148; 5 Jazz Nandhra (Hayes), 125; 6 Kevin Binnie (Torpichen), 78; etc.

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