Having sampled a taste of victory on his 4WD debut on the John Overend Memorial Stages Rally at Melbourne in May which he followed up with the overall win on last month's Opposite Lock Stages Rally held at Manby Motorsport Complex, Arron Newby made it a hat-trick of wins with his latest victory on the Jane Cowling Memorial Phoenix Stages Rally yesterday held at Fulbeck Airfield in Lincolnshire.

The 17 year old from Carnforth was once again driving the Pirelli-backed, Robert Wiseman Dairies-sponsored and TEG Sport-prepared ex Mark Higgins Group N Subaru Impreza N11 and despite a lowly seeding of 21, hit the front from the start.

Despite a top quality entry, Newby held an eight second lead after SS1 which he upped to 18 seconds on the second stage whereafter he and co-driver Martyn Taylor controlled the pace at the front for the remainder of the event.

The Pirelli K6 tyres proved the ideal choice for the mixed stages of gravel and tarmac and resulted in a superb third victory in a row for Newby going into the next BRC round in Ulster later this month.

Arron Newby: "I got a shock when I saw I was leading by eight seconds after SS1 and just controlled it from there. I can't believe I've won three rallies in a row now, Mark Higgins always said to me this car was very special and it is. A big thank you to the sponsors and the TEG Sport team for their hard work and late nights preparing the car as we only entered late. Thanks also to Martyn for another top job and also to Pirelli for sorting out the tyres at short notice."

Stuart Newby, TEG Sport Team Owner: "Well, what a weekend and we are all chuffed to bits with Arron! The team was away on the Speyside Stages on Saturday in Aberdeen so it was down to him and his mum to sort scrutineering and when we put the postcode in the SatNav, it said nine hours so it was a long haul through the night to get there in time but he didn't let us down. He drove fantastically well and without doubt shocked a few people on this rally. He loves the Subaru and is getting the results in it so we are going to have a long, hard think about his plans for next season."

Photo: Marcus Andrews