The Rathcoole-based driver built on his overnight lead from Saturday of 59 seconds to win two of yesterday’s three stages and claim his first ever victory in the British series.

MacHale is now focused on next weekend’s round of the Irish Tarmac Championship, which he is also contesting this season.

“I have now got to get the car ready for the all-tarmac Killarney Rally this weekend and then I have got two weeks to convert it back to gravel-spec for the second round of the British Championship at Carlisle but it feels good at the moment,” said MacHale.

Mitsubishi driver Rory Galligan was the winner of the production category and finished fourth overall after team-mate and reigning champion David Higgins retired on stage seven following a suspension problem. Gareth MacHale was fifth in his Toyota.

“It was my first proper run out in the Mitsubishi,” said Galligan.

“We had our problems early on when we spun and stalled and lost 40 seconds, but it would have been good for the team to have a one-two finish. Sadly that was not to be when David (Higgins) retired but I am delighted with maximum points.”

Last year’s ladies champion Lorna Smith ended up ninth overall in her production-spec Subaru ahead of team-mate Barry Clark.

Former champion Mark Higgins had dominated Saturday’s opening day, winning four of the day’s five stages to build a two-minute advantage at the top of the leaderboard from Eddie Stobart team-mate Matthew Wilson, but a gearbox problem on stage five forced him out of the rally.

Wilson also retired from the event on day one after an accident on stage five which saw the stage cancelled.

The 18-year-old and his co-driver Scott Martin were subsequently taken to hospital where they spent the night after they sustained injuries.