Austin MacHale and co-driver, Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) have won the International Rally of Wales, the opening round of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship.

Although Austin MacHale retains top spot at the end of the first leg of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, the revised interim results has promoted David Higgins up into second place – 59 seconds behind MacHale, who is bidding to win his first international rally in over seven years.

Irish drivers occupy three of the top four places at the end of the first leg of the International Rally of Wales, the opening round of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship.

British Rally champion Jonny Milner today won round five of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, the Gibbs Aquada Manx International Rally.