MIKE DEAN continued his run of good form with two fourth-place finishes in the latest round of the British Hill Climb Championship. Competing at Harewood, near Leeds, in rounds 17 and 18, the 39-year-old Guernsey mechanic left content with his performance.

‘I was quite pleased with that,’ said Dean.

‘I had a third and fifth place last time I was there.’

Things are starting to come together for the Guernsey mechanic after a slow start to this year’s campaign.

At the first meeting in April at Loton Park, Shropshire, he crashed his Gould GR55B during practice.

Dean did not feature in the first round but in round two he finished a disappointing 10th after he borrowed a fellow competitor’s car.

Since then he’s notched up three second-place finishes.

‘The season didn’t start that great but the car is now up to speed,’ he said.

‘I’m looking forward to the Channel Island races.’

The series now switches its attention to Jersey and Guernsey.

Tomorrow week rounds 19 and 20 take place at Bouley Bay, while two days later Le Val des Terres is the venue.

Since making his championship debut in 2000, Dean has yet to chalk up a national victory.

In a great 2005 season he finished fourth overall, coming agonisingly close to spraying the champagne from the top of the Val des Terres podium but had to settle for second in both rounds.

This year could be his year.

‘I’m hopeful,’ he said.

‘The car is up to speed. I had two second places [here] last year and the year before I was second and third, so I’m due a win.

‘I’m looking forward to the meeting. It’s the one I look forward to the most.

‘I was looking for a win before I got here, but it will have to be here now.’