COUSINS Simon and Alex Stanbury pulled off a real shock by winning the 2016 ASWMC (Association of South West Motor Clubs) Rally Championship.

Simon, a mechanic from GC Stanbury & Son in Dulverton, and Alex, a local police officer, used their self-built MG ZR to take the championship win.

The championship covers racing from Somerset to Wales and is entered by motor clubs from all over the country.

Simon and Alex from North Devon Motorclub were the underdogs in the championship, competing against crews with much more powerful machines and much more experience.

They started rallying in 2010, doing smaller navigational and endurance rallies, but always wanted to start stage rallying, and they completed their first stage rally three years ago.

This year they decided to enter the ASWMC championship and through their constant points finishes managed to win the title.

Simon and Alex built their MG ZR 1.4 rally car themselves with support from their sponsor GC Stanbury & Son. They were up against cars ranging from Subaru Imprezas to Mark 2 Ford Escorts, and even a Ford world rally car.

Simon Stanbury said: "It's great to win a championship with my cousin after such a short time rallying.

"Never when we signed up to the championship did we expect to win, but it just goes to show that with a bit of luck anything is possible.

"It wasn't all plain sailing, as we had several near misses, including nearly sliding into the river Wye!"

Alex added: "I cannot actually believe we have won the championship.

"Through great team work and with the support of our families, it shows that you don't have to spend thousands to be competitive."

The boys will be out on the stages again in 2017, hoping for further success.