HAVING previously claimed eight Christmas Stages Rally titles and won numerous rallycross events, North Yorkshire driver Kevin Procter finally got his hands on the one major Croft Circuit title to elude him when he triumphed in the Jack Frost Stages Rally.

Although the Leeming coach proprietor hasn’t always contested the Darlington & DMC-organised event – this year celebrating its 21st anniversary – the victory made up for the disappointment of finishing runner-up on the Swift Signs Christmas Stages back in December. For his Welsh co-driver, Patrick Walsh, it was a second Jack Frost win in a row after partnering Peter Smith to victory last year.

The pair were forced to work hard for the win in their Procter’s Luxury Coaches-backed Ford Fiesta WRC, with 2018 winners Barry Lindsay and Caroline Lodge once again excelling in their SGP Motorsport-supplied Ford Fiesta S2000, which they were using as their prize for landing the 2019 SG Petch ANECCC Championship, courtesy of local motor dealer Steve Petch.

Wet and cool conditions greeted competitors for the first couple of stages as Procter laid down the gauntlet from the off to stop the clocks three seconds ahead of Willington’s David and Katie Henderson (Ford Escort) on SS1 before increasing his advantage to nine seconds on SS2.

As the track dried, Procter continued his relentless pace and at the halfway point, held a 22-second lead over Cumbrian Lindsay with triple Jack Frost winner Tony Bardy, from Scotch Corner, and Northallerton co-driver, Dave Bellerby, in third, a further six seconds adrift.

Into the afternoon, and Procter still charged on, adding another four seconds to his lead on SS5 before a timing issue saw SS6 scrapped.

As dusk started to fall, Procter went fastest on SS7 and although he bashed a chicane on the final stage, he completed his clean sweep despite the impressive Lindsay getting to within a second of him on SS8.

Procter’s winning margin at the end was 32 seconds with Lindsay a gallant second. Bardy boxed off third half-a-minute further back with Henderson an impressive fourth. Scottish pair Ian and Sarah Forgan (Subaru) claimed fifth ahead of newcomers Hugh Brunton and Liam Whitely (Ford Fiesta R5).

Class wins went to Durham’s Andy Fawcett and Josh Beer (1400cc Vauxhall Nova), who claimed 11th overall, with Mickleton pair Alistair Hutchinson and Thomas Bruce (2000cc Renault Clio) finishing a place further back.

Other notable performances came from Richmondshire brothers Mark and Andrew Constantine who took their Vauxhall Corsa to 14th overall, one place ahead of Leeds driver Dave Ellis with Northallerton co-driver Drew Bellerby, who finished 15th overall in their BMW Mini on the driver’s first event.

The local rallying action continues this Sunday with the Able UK Riponian Rally seeing a capacity 90-car entry for the first time in many years. A number of leading drivers have committed to contest the annual event, organised by Ripon MSC.

Ten-time winner Charlie Payne, from Ripon, will be looking to add to his tally in the Ford Fiesta WRC he will be sharing with Welshman Patrick Walsh after last taking victory in 2016.

Since then, Durham pair Stephen Petch and Michael Wilkinson have lifted the silverware, claiming overall in victory in 2017, and they are back to try again in their Ford Fiesta WRC.

The third former winner on the entry list is Leeming’s Procter, who has seconded Northallerton’s Ian Windress into the co-driver’s seat of his Ford Fiesta WRC as he looks to add to his wins in 2004 and 2006.

Giving chase will be Thirsk’s Chris and Tracey Wise (Ford Fiesta), while in the two-wheel drive classes, Ripon’s Matthew Robinson (Ford Escort Mk2), Nick Cook from Lealholm (Ford Escort Mk1) and Thirsk driver Mat Smith (Proton Satria) will be hoping for success.

The event starts from Thirsk Rural Business Park at 8.30am on Sunday.

Spectator areas are situated at Wass Moor (08.55 and 15.15), Cropton (10.20 and 13.15) and Gale Rigg (10.45 and 13.35). For further information, including a full entry list, visit www.rmsc.org.uk.