Guy and Phil escape unhurt

GUY and co-driver Phil Pugh escaped unhurt after their Mitsubishi Evo IX was destroyed by fire on the fourth stage of today's Jim Clark International Rally.

Guy had made the perfect start and was looking to extend his early lead when the rear transmission failed on the 6.3-mile Eyemouth stage.  That eventually led to propshaft failure and the flailing metal cut through the fuel tank and the car went up in flames.

Fellow competitors stopped to try and help extinguish the blaze but the car could not be saved.

Guy was leading British Rally Championship rival Mark Higgins (Subaru) by 6.2 seconds before his exit.

Guy won the tricky 16-mile opening stage, Abbey St Bathans, by 4.7 seconds. Higgins was one second quicker on stage two, the 7.3-mile Fogo test, but Guy went 2.5 seconds quicker through stage three (Ayton, 7.7miles).

Guy said: "I'm so disappointed. I really, really wanted to win this one, especially after crashing here last year. But we'll be back stronger for the Manx."