Hampshire rally star Justin Dale got his defence of the Super 1600 category off to the worst possible start in round 1 of the Mobil 1 British Championship in Wales.

Dale and his other strongly fancied Peugeot teammate David Higgins were both out within the first two stages of the Vauxhall Rally of Wales.

Higgins retired after an accident on stage one; Dale retired his 106 Super GTI with mechanical problems on stage two.

He'll be looking for better in round two in Carlisle on May 6 and 7.

Overall winner in Wales was Mark Higgins with Vauxhall Astra team-mate Neil Wearden in second place.

Higgins won ten of the 11 forest stages.

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