DAVID Bogie set a blistering pace to claim a second Malcolm Wilson Rally crown in Cumbria's forests.

The 2008 winner was the fastest man of four of the seven stages, to triumph by 20 seconds from top seed and former British champion Keith Cronin come the end of the 42 miles of action.

Bogie and co-driver Kevin Rae were a second back of Cronin and Mikie Galvin in their Ford Fiesta R5 after the first stage at Hobcarton as the teams set up a day-long battle for supremacy.

The former winner showed his class soon after, clocking the fastest time in his Skoda Fabia on the second stage at Comb to move a second clear of his rival.

Cronin reclaimed top spot on stage three, as he eked out a four-second lead when they exited Wythop, and held on to it coming out of Greystoke, though Bogie chipped away and reduced the advantage to just three seconds.

It was in Grizedale where the destination of the title was decided as Bogie moved four seconds ahead on the first of the two stages – finishing seven seconds clear on the stage itself – and extended the advantage on the second.

It was a sensational display in Grizedale South from Bogie and Rae, 18 seconds faster than Cronin, extending his leads to 22 seconds with only a single stage remaining – all but sealing the title bar mechanical problems or a crash.

Bogie was able to ease off a little on the return to Greystoke, with Cronin claiming his third stage success of the afternoon, but taking only two seconds off his rival, who came home to follow up his first win in Grizedale nine years ago.

There was quite a gap back to third place and the pairing of Jonny Greer and Kirsty Riddick, who were 1:37 behind Bogie in their Citroën DS3.

Further down the field, former winner Hugh Hunter was fifth, though two-time champion Euan Thornburn was forced to retire with manifold issues on stage five.

Flookburgh's Aaron McClure was 21st overall on his first outing in close to a year, fifth in class NR4 in his Mitsubishi Evo 9 on his home event.

A total of 93 of the 133 entrants finished the event.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Skoda Fabia R5), 43.32; 2. Keith Cronin/Mikie Galvin (Ford Fiesta R5), 43:52; 3. Jonny Greer/Kirsty Riddick (Citroën DS3 R5), 45.09; 4. David Wright/Steve Pugh (Ford Focus WRC 01), 45:09; 5. Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg (Ford Focus WRC 02), 45:13; 6. Rhys Yates/Carl Williamson (Ford Fiesta R5), 45:29; 7. Jamie Anderson/Ross Whittock (Ford Fiesta R5), 45:37; 8. Callum Black/Elliott Edmondson (Ford Fiesta R5+), 45:40; 9. Conor McCloskey/John Rohan (Ford Fiesta WRC), 46:23; 10. Wayne Sisson/Neil Shanks (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4+), 46:24.