A failed engine sensor literally brought Robbie Head's flying start in the Ulster Rally to a grinding halt yesterday. The 29-year-old Glaswegian roared to the quickest time on each of the first four-timed sections and built up a commanding lead of 26 seconds over the rest of the field to boost his British Championship title hopes. But on stage five around McGaffin's Corner in Co Down, Head suffered a loss of engine power in his Renault Megane and was forced to disconnect the sensor, costing him over two minutes, before completing the section.

It dropped the Scot down to 10th position although, with the problem rectified, he immediately bounced back to go fastest on the following Dooghary sprint and hoist himself back up to eighth, just over a minute-and-a-half behind new leader Mark Higgins.