DAMIAN Cole has taken the 2008 Welsh National Rally Championship for the second year running after finishing seventh overall in the Woodpecker Stages Rally and securing vital third place class points.
Cole, who celebrated his well-earned Welsh Championship victory with two rounds still remaining, insists that rather than resting on his laurels, his main priority is to keep his grip upon second place in the BTRDA Series and remain focused for the rest of the season.
"I'm delighted to take the Welsh National title for the second year running, but I was disappointed with my performance on Saturday," revealed the Abergavenny rally ace.
"It just didn't come together, and being up against the local Ludlow competitors who know the stages so well is always a challenge.
"We were only 51 seconds behind the winner, a result often good enough for second or third overall, but we finished seventh which shows how close it was.
"We need to maintain our focus and go all out in the final two rallies to take the BTRDA crown and end the season on a high."
Cole, competing in the Get Connected Hyundai Accent WRC, needs to take maximum Championship points in both the Plains Rally on September 20, and in the Cambrian Rally on November 1 if he is to take the BTRDA title.