Higgins won his first British Rally title in 1997

Higgins' team-mate Matthew Wilson won the event with a 41.5-second advantage.

"It's not like my first title. This one was more of a relief really," said Higgins, who was also champion in 1997.

"I was on the comfortable side of 'flat-out' this morning but Matthew was driving really well. Second place was enough so I concentrated on that."

Wilson, the 18-year old son of 1994 champion Malcolm Wilson, was delighted to have claimed his first win in two seasons, especially after breaking his wrist, knee, forearm and ribs in a crash during the opening round of the year.

"I so much wanted to win a round and this has made up for everything else that has happened this year," he said.