A SOURTON couple have proved they are in a class of their own when it comes to motor sport after winning a national championship for the second year running.

Driver James Tennant and his wife, Melanie, who is navigator, have consolidated their top position by beating off competition to take the British Off-Road Standard Production Driving Championship at Aldershot last Friday.

James, who is a four-wheel drive specialist, said: 'We are very pleased with this result. It shows it was not a fluke last time and we have got consistency and reliability.'

His achievements over the last two years are his best in 22 years of competitive driving.

The ten venues, where the couple competed in their Land Rover Discovery over the year for the title, were as far spread as the Wolds of Lincolnshire to the wilds of Wales.

But probably the most challenging race of the year was the final one which had the 'worst ever driving conditions'

'The ground was extremely wet and muddy,' said James. 'The windscreen wipers could not keep up with the amount of mud on the windscreen. It did make things exciting though.'

The 42-year-old driver said a particular advantage this year was the reliability of the vehicle.

'We fairly decimated the opposition this year and the last event was very special because we ran so well,' he said.

Not content with settling for two victories, James and his wife are now contemplating going into the open championships which gives drivers a free reign on modifying the vehicle.

'It is nice to win but now we have achieved the championship twice and proved ourselves, it is time to move on,' said James.