THE Willingham's Recovery North Humberside Forest Rally tomorrow boasts a capacity entry as 180 crews contest the third round of the BTRDA championship over some of Yorkshire's classic stages.

Former multiple winner Warren Philliskirk was scheduled to lead the field away, but is a non-starter after the engine for his MG Metro 6R4 wasn't prepared in time. He will be replaced by another former BTRDA champion in Andy Burton, in his radical Peugeot Cosworth.

The local challenge is a double-pronged affair with the Subarus of Barry Johnson from Shildon at five and Ripon's Charlie Payne at six.

Thimbleby's David Brown ventures back into the forests in the Steel City Ford Puma Evo 4x4 he shares with Richmond co-driver Tony Walker, while Pickhill driver Matt Yeadon returns after a five-month break to take to the wheel of his Nu Era Ford Cosworth with Boltby's Richard Shores as co-driver.

Redcar's Dave Craven has Ian Jackson from Hartburn for company in their NSS Ford Cosworth, while Thirsk builder Ian Rudd is in action in his similar car with Pickering's Dick Wardle on the notes. Castleton's Ryan Champion and co-driver Cliff Simmons aim for class honours in the works Super 1600 Ford Puma.

Preceding the main rally will be the ultra-competitive 1400cc class, with the region's Ford Ka Championship contenders expected to be at the fore in the second round.

Great Broughton's Jonny Brown and co-driver James Lester from Harmby were well in command on the opening round only to suffer clutch failure and are hoping to make amends on home territory, as are Scorton driver Stephen Petch and co-driver Michael Wilkinson from Tow Law, who also retired last time out.

Spectators are welcomed at the following locations only, where there will be a parking charge.

Start: Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Willerby, first car 8.30. SS1: Oliver's Mount, Scarborough, first car 10am, park as directed by marshals. SS4: Dalby, first car 12.50, parking sign-posted from Low Dalby village. SS6: Cropton, first car 1.50, parking at Spiers House, sign-posted from Cropton village. Finish: Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Willerby, first car 2.10.

* Darlington motorcycle racer Richard Harrison made a successful debut on the new 1000cc Yamaha at Carnaby Two earlier this month.

He left the East Yorkshire circuit with a brace of podium positions and four other top ten placings at the opening round of the Auto 66 club's championship.

Despite a lack of testing, the 24-year-old recorded a second, third and fourth place finish in the Formula Pro Street class and followed that up with a sixth, seventh and eighth place in the competitive 1300cc open class.

As a result, Harrison was invited to enter the prestigious Count of Carnaby. He romped to a superb top five placing after 15 tortuous laps to complete a good day's work.

* The 2003 season kicks off in style this weekend at Croft circuit when the opening two rounds of the Derby Phoenix Motor Cycle Club road race championships take place.

The club has attracted a capacity entry for the two-day meeting, with a host of club regulars set to mix it with a smattering of track specialists.

After the success of the 600cc Steel Framed championship last season, the club has introduced a new class in the shape of F750. It will cater for the 750cc machines which are these days often outpaced by the more popular 1000cc bikes.

Scotsman Angus Mearns starts as red-hot favourite, but he'll be keeping an eye on Northallerton's Darren Grimston, who makes his debut aboard the ex-Ian Harrison Yamaha R1.

Practice starts tomorrow at 9.30 and noon on Sunday, with racing immediately afterwards on both days. Adult admission is £6 tomorrow and £12 on Sunday, with accompanied children under 15 admitted free on both days.

For further details contact Claire Jones at Croft circuit on 01325 721819.

* The country's top motor sport series gets under way at Silverstone this weekend when the British Superbike Championship takes place alongside a revamped National Championship package.

Yarm's Russ Hodgson steps up to the Yamaha R6 Cup, while the 125cc mantle will again be assumed by Middlesbrough teenager Paul Veazey, who will be joined by comeback rider Michael Hill from Stockton.

Darlington's Mark Burr steps down from the superbike class to the British Supersport Championship, while Dennis Hobbs from Guisborough will also be gunning for glory in the Superstock class.

A 3-hour live transmission is planned for Sky Sports on Sunday, with a highlights package being shown on BBC Grandstand the following weekend.

l Competitors in the MSA British Rallycross Championship face the hardest weekend in their calendar as the championship moves to Ireland for rounds two and three this weekend.

The Stena Line Ulster Rallycross Superprix at Nutts Corner in Antrim forms round two of the championship tomorrow before the whole show moves 120 miles south to Mondello Park in the Irish Republic for round three on Sunday.

Yafforth ace Dave Bellerby plans to make the long trip worthwhile in his Vauxhall Nova, which has recently secured the backing of specialist TV channel Men and Motors, while Hartlepool's Des Wheatley is another driver hoping for success in the Modified class in his Metro