ST BOSWELLS father and son crew Pete and Scott Hunter powered their way to an impressive second win in a row in the P. J. Planthire and Groundworks Charterhall Stages on Saturday.
The Borders duo in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 were fastest on four of the six special stages and eventually took victory by six seconds from Duns driver Dale Robertson and Tranent co-driver Paul McGuire in their Evo 9. In third place, a further six seconds behind, were Dom Buckley and Barry Hogg in their Subaru Impreza.
The Hunters set the pace from the first stage and at the half way point led by 14 seconds with Robertson and McGuire hot on their heels.
Robertson then staged a fightback, but on one stage was hampered by another car, costing him valuable seconds.
In the end, the Hunters held on to take a deserved win.
A mistake on the second stage cost Buckley his chance of victory, but the yougster notched impressive times over the last three tests to take the final podium spot.
As usual there were some spectacular moments of action over the former airfield stages, with one or two rolls and numerous spins resulting in 23 non-finishers.
The rally was also the opening round of the Brick and Steel Junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge.
Ten young drivers aged from 14 to 16 from Scotland and the north of England climbed into their 1000cc rally cars and, accompanied by their more senior co-drivers, launched their rally careers.
After six stages 14-year-old Alexander Vassallo from Corbridge recorded victory on this, the first of six rallies the youngsters will compete in during 2012.