HAVING been unable to defend his British Rallycross crown at Croft last month, North Yorkshire’s Kevin Procter will be hoping for better luck when he returns to his home circuit for the penultimate round of the Autosport International BTRDA Rallycross Championship.

Procter, who is from Leeming and has spent most of the season competing at European level, encountered some teething problems during last month’s British Championship round, and while he is not registered for the BTRDA International Championship, he will compete at Croft on an invitational basis.

More than 60 drivers are expected to take to the track on Sunday, November 18, with Procter sure to be one of the leading draws in his Ford Fiesta Supercar. Other confirmed Supercar drivers include Simon Horton and Gary Pusey, in their Subarus, and national champion Andy Grant, in his Ford Focus.

Barnard Castle hotelier Mark Watson will also be competing in a revamped Citroen Xsara Supercar as he returns to rallycross after a year out looking to add to some of the notable victories he has claimed on his home track in the past.

The various two-wheel classes have been well supported, with Newton Aycliffe’s Chris Harper currently topping the Championship and production rankings in his Citroen Saxo.

Northallerton Peugeot 206 drivers Guy Corner and Larry Carter hold the advantage in the 2000cc and 1600cc Super Modified series, while Barnard Castle’s Brian Jukes (Audi TT) will attempt to upset strongly-fancied Irishman Kieran Curran (Vauxhall Corsa) in the Super Modified class.

Other confirmed local drivers include Bedale’s Colin Ramsay (Peugeot 205), Ingleby Barwick’s Martin Peters (Citroen Saxo), Stokesley’s Ian Horn (Vauxhall Nova) and Northallerton’s Darren Grimston (Suzuki Swift).

With entries not due to close until Thursday, it is also expected that Northallerton duo Dave and Paige Bellerby (Lotus Exige), Bedale’s Joe Cunningham (Peugeot 106), Hartlepool’s Des Wheatley (Rover Metro) and Durham’s Lance Foster (Mini) will also be involved.

Shoppers in Darlington town centre will get the chance to get up and close and personal with some of the cars and drivers this Saturday (12-4pm), with Watson, Corner and Jukes all expected to attend along with representatives of Darlington and District Motor Club, who will have further information about the meeting.

Admission to Croft on November 16 is £10 for adults, with accompanied children under 15 free. Parking is free, and the racing begins at 9.30am.