Keith Cronin took the 2010 Bulldog Rally by winning five stages outright. Keith set the early pace as he went 22 seconds faster than anyone else and then cemented his lead by taking another stage win on SS2 as he won the stage by 12.7 seconds.

Gwyndaf Evans and Craig Breen were early retirements from the rally.

Keith took it steady on ss3 and ss4 as he was content to preserve his lead. This meant that Alastair Fisher took two stage wins on SS3 and SS4.

On SS5 Keith took another stage win and then on SS6 he was also fastest. News then broke that young Fisher had retired due to gearbox problems. This meant that Keith had a lead of over one minute from second placed Dave Weston Jnr.

With only two stages remaining, Keith set the fastest time on SS7 and then again on the final stage of the rally, SS8. A perfect drive from the man from County Cork.

What a start to Keith's 2010 British Championship title defence!

Keith won the Bulldog Rally by over two minutes from Dave Weston Jnr, while Adam Gould finished third.

We hope to get Keith's blog live on the site on the 2010 Bulldog Rally as soon as possible...