FRUSTRATED Longparish rally driver Justin Dale lost the lead in the Pirelli British Rally Championship after he crashed on the second day of 120-mile Scottish Rally in Dumfries at the weekend.

The Peugeot works' driver, who was leading in the Super 1600 Cup series, was lying fourth after an opening day of dilemmas on the first six stages but was determined to make up lost ground when he started the 18.78 mile seventh stage - the longest in the event - on Sunday.

He was pushing hard at Ae when the car slid out of control, crashed into a tree on co-driver Andrew Bargery's side at 90mph and rolled into the river. Submerged in the water the pair floated to the bank where spectators were only too happy to help the local crew out of the car.

A deeply disappointed Dale said: "It's the worse accident I have had for four years. I am a bit bruised, but nothing serious. I am shocked more than anything, we just haven't had that many accidents.

" I tried hard to correct the car but we hit a tree and Andrew had a slight neck injury. It could have been a lot worse, although the car landed in the river upside down, it corrected itself and we were able to remain above the water."

A cold and wet Dale added that he believed a rear puncture could have caused the car to veer out of control. The 29-year-old Dale went into the rally - the third round of the British championships - looking for back to back victories having won the Rally of Wales a fortnight previously and a class winner in Scotland on a number of occasions in recent years.