HOBBS Racing Suzuki rider Dennis Hobbs became the first rider in history to win the prestigious Ken Redfern Trophy four times in succession with a masterful display at Croft last Sunday.

The 22-year-old from Guisborough tested his 1000cc machine at the track on Friday, but decided to sit out the supporting North East Motor Cycle Racing Club races over the weekend to concentrate on the ten-lap feature race.

Despite his rivals gaining more track time, Hobbs disposed of the initial challenge of Scot Phil Stewart (1000cc Yamaha) on lap two as he took the lead.

He then proceeded to pull clear of the pursuing pack as he stamped his authority on the race, setting a new outright solo lap record of 1:25.08, some three-quarters of a second faster than his previous best, which had stood for almost a year.

Hobbs finished more than 14 seconds ahead of Stewart, with Manxman Juan Kinnish claiming third on his Suzuki.

"I was hoping I could go a lot faster, but the track was a little bit slippy in some places so I decided to just do what I had to in order to win the race," said Hobbs afterwards.

"I hope to be back next year to try and win if for a fifth time, but it all depends on whether it clashes with the British Championship."

The Scott Leathers-supported rider currently lies in second place in the British Superbike Cup and travels to Knockhill in Scotland this weekend for round eight of the THINK! British Superbike Championship series.

Meanwhile, there was plenty of success at Croft for a number of other local aces in the action-packed two-day programme.

Easingwold sidecar driver Steve Webster continued his dominance of the Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship when he and passenger Paul Woodhead claimed a superb double victory in round four of the series and a new outright circuit record.

The Castrol Suzuki pairing overcame a stiff challenge from Kent brothers Tim and Tristan Reeves as well as a race stoppage to record their first wins at Croft - some 24 years after nine-times world champion Webster last raced there - and move well clear in the points table going into this weekend's round at Knockhill.

Scotton engineer Greg Lambert claimed sixth in Saturday's opening leg, but a sheared rear drive sprocket bolt on the opening lap put paid to his bid for honours after engine problems had plagued his and passenger James Sirrell's Dalepak Suzuki during practice on Sunday.

Lambert did make amends by taking a double in the supporting open sidecar races along with passenger Ivan Murray.

Race of the day on Sunday saw 15-year-old Knaresborough rider Dan Linfoot in a race-long 125cc battle with 13-year-old Cumbrian Joel Noone as the pair swapped positions on virtually every corner.

Linfoot grabbed a narrow victory to add to his win on Saturday and now leads the NEMCRC Championship after four rounds.

Crook's Keith Taylor took victory in the Formula 400 event, while Chester le Street rider Dave Bell scored a brace of second places in the 1300cc open event during the weekend.

The Northallerton pairing of Mark Allison and Mark Pickering claimed fourth in the open sidecar event.

l Heighington rally driver Guy Wilks moved to within two points of the lead in the Junior World Rally Championship after another superb drive in dry and dusty conditions during last weekend's Rally of Turkey.

Fresh from his inaugural world championship victory on the Acropolis Rally in Greece earlier in the month, the 23-year-old works Suzuki Ignis driver claimed third place behind his two team-mates after a couple of minor problems.

After going off in a dust cloud on the Friday night Superspecial after being unfairly paired against a World Rally Car, Wilks' and co-driver Phil Pugh's car was slightly damaged and he dropped a further couple of minutes in road penalties on day two when he stopped to secure a loose sump guard.

But, with typical resilience, Wilks battled on to the end and steered clear of trouble in order to ensure that his Suzuki reached the finish in a safe podium position.

The JWRC resumes in a month's time on the legendary Rally Finland from August 6-8. Finland could not present a bigger contrast to the broken-up roads of Turkey, as it consists of flowing smooth gravel which normally makes it the fastest round of the World Championship.

l Unlike last year when rain halted the race at Assen in Holland, round four of the International BMW Motorrad Boxer Cup took place in excellent track conditions in front of an estimated 150,000 crowd at the Dutch circuit as part of the Moto GP weekend.

Bishop Auckland rider Barry Burrell was hoping to capitalise on his performance at Assen last year when he led the race, but this time he had to settle for 13th place at the flag.

The 17-year-old BMW Motorrad Great Britain rider added to his points tally from the three previous races and now lies 12th overall in the series standings.

But, just as important, he lies third in the integrated BMW Young Star Championship for riders under 21 years of age. The winner will be presented with a Mini Cooper at the end of the series.

* After a run of poor results lately, Yarm racing driver Bill Addison got back to form when he took a fine fourth place at Mallory Park last weekend.

Driving as a guest in the Caterham Super Graduate class, Addison was using the meeting to test his recently rebuilt Roadsport B car and was immediately on the pace by qualifying in second position as just half a second covered the top ten cars.

In the race, Addison got a good start and led for the opening laps before getting involved in a dice with four other drivers as they swapped positions on every lap.

Two laps from the end, Addison made a mistake on the ultra-fast Gerrards corner which relegated him down the order, but a spirited drive in the closing stages netted him fourth place.

With another month before the next round of the Roadsport B Championship series which he is contesting, Addison is hoping to secure another guest drive in the Super Graduate race at Oulton Park in a couple of weeks' time.

* The organisers of the THINK! British Superbike Championship have recently unveiled details of the timetable for round ten of the series to be held at Croft circuit over the weekend of August 13 to 15.

Due to planning restraints which mean a noise curfew until noon on Sunday's race day at the track, and in order to fit in the required qualifying sessions for the seven races, two qualifying sessions will be held on the Friday afternoon, making it a three-day extravaganza for fans.

Superbike qualifying will be held over two sessions on Saturday along with the National Superstock Cup race, while Sunday's six-race schedule starts at 1.15 with the first of the 22-lap races for British Superbikes.

Supersport, 125s, Yamaha R6 Cup and National Superstock races also feature on the programme, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Advance ticket sales are continuing to go well for Britain's premier motor sport series' first visit to the region and, as well as the action on the track, a charity football match between a Media XI and a Teams XI will take place at Northallerton Town FC on the Friday evening.

Camping is available locally by pre-booking on 01325 720497. For advance ticket sales, call the circuit on 01325 721815