DARLINGTON rally driver Paul Swift claimed a creditable top-30 finish on his debut in the gruelling Manx National Rally on the Isle of Man.

Partnered by Barnard Castle co-driver, Giles Dykes, in his Millington Ford Escort Mk2, the seven-time British Autotest champion finished 29th overall and ninth in class, but had to endure his fair share of drama during 120-mile event.

A steady opening-night start saw Swift impress in front of a large crowd on the Ramsey spectator stages, where he set seventh and 12th fastest times on the two short one-mile tests, to arrive back at the overnight halt in Douglas in 29th overall and eighth in class.

Saturday saw mixed fortunes around the fast Manx lanes and after a trouble-free morning, Swift ended up off the road on the Tholt-y-will stage, luckily without inflicting any major damage.

On the next stage, another off saw him venture into a ditch, but thanks to the help of spectators, he was soon back in action without too much time lost.

As a result, Swift had to battle his way back into contention from 41st place, and despite breaking his exhaust late on, where he was aided by a local farmer who helped him fix it, he arrived at the TT Grandstand finish in a top-30 position.

Swift said: "We came for a finish and thats what we got, but there were a number of occasions where we thought we wouldnt make it as we pushed our luck at times.

"I had some fun in front of the big crowd in Ramsey on Friday as those stages were a giant Autotest which suited me. On Saturday, we had a straight-on into a bush and luckily, there was no wall or anything behind and I have to say a big thanks to the Welsh lads who got us out of a ditch on the next stage.

"The exhaust blew late on and with the aid of a local farmer, who loaned us some tools, we managed to fix it and as a result we got to the finish.

"The conditions were tricky and at times I was out on dry tyres, only to come upon it being soaking wet which was very scary and it was hard to read the road conditions at times. But Im overjoyed to get a finish on the Manx National Rally and its been a huge experience for us."

Swifts next outing is in the Jim Clark Rally, which takes place in the Scottish Borders over the weekend of May 31-June 2.