THE inaugural running of the MEM Rolltek Malton Forest Rally last Sunday proved to be a great success, although a pair of the fancied crews from the region failed to see the finish.

Scorton driver Steve Petch and co-driver John Richardson from Northallerton started the Malton Motor Club event as hot favourites in their older version Hyundai Accent WRC.

But a combination of a sticking throttle and transmission problems contributed to them visiting a deep Gale Rigg ditch and the subsequent time loss on SS3 meant they retired at first service.

Leading the event after the opening run around Pickering Showground was Leeming transport chief Kevin Procter who, along with Northallerton's Mick Gilby, was involved in a battle with Scotsman Dave Weston (Escort WRC).

The Subaru driver held the advantage going into the second half of the rally, but a holed radiator in the second run through Gale Rigg scuppered any chance of victory.

Despite gearbox problems in the final loop, Weston held on to win ahead of Malton's John Bannister - son of the legendary Steve - with Leeds brothers Jeremy and Paul Nolan third in their Escort Cosworth.

Recording his best result in a four-wheel drive car was Hamsterley youngster Stephen Petch, who made up for his father's disappointment with a stunning drive in the Richie Windress-prepared SGP Motorsport Subaru Impreza.

Along with co-driver Michael Wilkinson from Tow Law, he ended up seventh overall and fourth in class, just missing out on an award by 13 seconds after more than 45 minutes competitive driving.

Pickhill driver Matt Yeadon and co-driver Richard Shores from Boltby claimed eighth overall in their DSM-prepared Nu Era Mitsubishi, along with the Spirit of the Rally award which they won for stopping on stage to help an injured competitor who was initially trapped in his car.

Exelby's Chris Lewis took his MSR Mitsubishi to ninth, while Northallerton driver Charlie Taylor impressed in the frosty conditions to take 11th overall and second in class in his Ford Escort Mark 2.

Ripon's James Bullock guided Mike Altendorf to 18th overall in their Mitsubishi, while Chris Blake from West Rounton and Richmond's Tony Walker had a steady run in their NTB Escort Cosworth to claim 19th.

Easingwold pairing Fred and Mark Davison took 40th overall and third in class in their Peugeot, while Peter Croft from Middleton Tyas guided David Marshall to 23rd in their Subaru.

* Britain's leading young rally driver, Guy Wilks, will contest the 2004 Junior World Rally Championship in a 1600cc Suzuki Ignis.

The 22-year-old from Heighington, near Darlington, and his Welsh co-driver Phil Pugh cautiously evaluated a number of options for next season before deciding on Suzuki.

"Having completed one full JWRC season, I knew what was in store for next year and I have my sights firmly set on winning the championship," said Wilks.

"In order to do that I needed to find a car that was not only reliable enough to take everything that the JWRC throws at it, but also suited my driving style, and after much deliberation I have decided on the package offered by Suzuki and Monster Sport Europe.

"There has been a lot of speculation recently as to what I would be driving but it was important that I took my time to evaluate all the options available.

"As I've said previously, there will be a number of very impressive vehicles competing in the JWRC next season and I didn't want to rush into a decision. I'm now confident that we've made a wise and informed choice, and Phil and I are looking forward to our first test prior to the Rallye Monte Carlo."

Wilks, who retired from the season opener last year with technical problems, is looking forward to conquering the French Alps in just six weeks time.

"We had enjoyed an excellent run for our first ever attempt at the famous Rallye Monte Carlo, but unfortunately retired when lying seventh overall with just two stages to go," he added.

"However, despite our retirement we have valuable experience from both the recce and the event and we are looking to build on this. Reliability and consistency is the key for us next season and we are looking forward to stamping our mark on the championship."

Wilks is currently in Japan for Suzuki Motor Corporation's announcement of its Junior World Rally Championship plans for next season. He will be one of four drivers receiving technical support from Monster Sport Europe in the 2004 FIA Junior World Rally Championship.

* Cleveland driver David Stockton, store director at Specsavers Opticians in Middlesbrough, is on track to sponsor the Christmas Stages Rally at Croft for the second year running.

And not content in the role of beneficiary, Stockton will also be gearing up to take part in the rally on Sunday, December 28, competing against 80 other drivers in his Subaru Impreza.

Specsavers sponsor the event in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of driving with the correct prescriptive eyewear if needed. Statistics show that one in seven drivers would fail an eye test and Specsavers is working alongside various organisations on a Drive Safe campaign to educate the UK's 33m road users about the dangers of driving without corrective eyewear.

Stockton, who finished 43rd last year, said: "The figures revealed by the Drive Safe campaign really are shocking. In order to drive competently and safely, it's imperative that you should have perfect vision, allowing you to react swiftly to hazards on the road as they arise.

"By sponsoring the rally, I hope to bring this issue to the public's attention. Hundreds of motoring enthusiasts attend the rally and although it is a great day out, hopefully by seeing that Specsavers are the sponsors, the more serious message about the importance of eye tests will get across."

A capacity entry has again been received and a full preview will appear next week.