Castrol Polo Challenge champion Clive Wheeler got his title defence away to the best possible start with a convincing class victory on the Gateshead-based Pirelli Northumbria Rally.

Wheeler, from Albourne, and his Hurstpierpoint co-driver Ken Bartram completed the rally more than three minutes in front of their Polo rivals after a trouble-free run through treacherous Kielder Forest.

Wheeler, 46, said: "We were very lucky. We were hitting the same rocks and stones as everyone else but we didn't get any punctures or damage the suspension.

"It's a very good start to the season for us, much better than we had last year."

Wheeler set the fastest time on five of the eight stages. His Skip Brown Cars-prepared Group N Polo assumed command on the fourth of the eight special stages, powering ahead of Finnish championship debutant Jari Laakso, who held the overnight lead.

Laakso's day was blighted by problems which ultimately ended his hopes of challenging for the lead.

The next round is the Red Dragon Rally on May 24.