FOLLOWING his runner-up spot on last year’s MEM Malton Forest Rally, where he was making his debut in the SGP Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5+, Hamsterley driver Stephen Petch, along with Howden le Wear co-driver Michael Wilkinson, saw off the opposition on last Sunday’s event to claim his maiden victory in the car after six stages around Pickering.

Chasing them hard throughout the event was Ripon’s Charlie Payne and Newcastle co-driver Andrew Roughead who returned to the finish just eight seconds adrift in only their second outing in their new Ford Fiesta. And making a successful podium for the region, Teesside businessman Peter Stephenson and Northallerton co-driver Ian Windress brought their Ford Focus home in third place, albeit nearly a minute down on the winner.

With more overnight rain than expected, the opening loop in Gale Rigg and Cropton accounted for last year’s winner Ollie Mellors who encountered problems in his Proton leaving Petch to arrive back at service with a four second lead. Stage three in Langdale was a lot drier and Payne got the better of Petch by five seconds to lead by just one second with two further high-speed tests in Cropton and Gale Rigg to follow.

There, a big attack came from Petch who took nine seconds out of Payne and as both crews cleaned the final stage in Langdale due to the dry conditions, it was Petch who emerged victorious.

Stephenson had a good run to claim third with Scorton’s Steve Petch and Exelby co-driver John Richardson bringing their SGP Motorsport Mitsubishi home without any major problems to report in sixth. Northallerton garage proprietor Charlie Taylor, along with co-driver Ian Jackson from Hartburn, brought their Ford Escort Mk2 home in 11th overall and third in class with Boroughbridge driver Tom Hewick and Pickhill co-driver Mick Johnson finishing 13th overall and fourth in class in their Ford Escort.

Ripon pair Andrew Robinson and Kevin Wilson brought their Ford Escort home in 18th and eighth in class while Thirsk driver Mat Smith, accompanied by Chris Row, debuted his new 1400cc Proton Satria and despite a broken gear linkage which saw them complete the opening stage stuck in first gear, bounced back to win their class and claim 23rd overall.

Bedale’s Shaun Wilson and Kirkby Fleetham co-driver Errol Bairstow survived an off and a broken driveshaft on their Subaru to emerge in 30th overall as Pickhill co-driver Kari Bates guided Boroughbridge driver Graham Haigh to 33rd overall and fourth in class in their Ford Escort. Just six seconds back and claiming second in class behind her husband Mat, Thirsk’s Amanda Cornforth-Smith, co driven as always by her dad Derek, brought their Ford Ka home in 34th overall.

Northallerton father and son, John and Sam Tillett, claimed 35th overall and fifth in class in their Ford Escort, just ahead of Guisborough pair Michael and Josh Davison in their Proton. Durham crew Gavin Spencer and Colin Tombs finished in 38th overall and third in class in their Vauxhall Nova but sadly for Thirsk driver Tim Pearcey, he retired his Willowgreen Homes-sponsored Ford Escort following gearbox problems in SS2. The Redcar pairing of Chris Roe and Bob McKenzie also retired their Vauxhall Nova after SS4.

WITH just over a week to go before the penultimate round of the 2014 Autosport International BTRDA Rallycross Championship takes place at Croft Circuit, it looks set for another bumper entry with around 60 cars, including some top drivers planning on competing.

Next Sunday’s event will see leading European Championship driver Kevin Procter, from nearby Leeming, in action once again in his new Ford Fiesta Supercar.

Procter encountered some teething problems at last month's British Championship round at Croft, and while not registered for the championship, he'll be doing battle with other Supercar drivers including the Subarus of Simon Horton and Gary Pusey as well as former National Champion Andy Grant who is expected to make the long trip up from Devon in his Ford Focus.

Making a welcome return to the sport after a year out is colourful Mark Watson who will be in action in his revamped Citroen Xsara Supercar. The Barnard Castle hotelier has had lots of good results around his local track and is again expected to feature well, especially with a new sponsor to be revealed on the run up to the event.

The various two-wheel drive classes are well represented and will see both the series regulars and title front runners, many of whom are local to Croft, doing battle with a host of other drivers as they bid for championship glory.

Shoppers in Darlington town centre tomorrow will have the chance to get up close and personal when the organisers will have a selection of cars on display and drivers to meet. From 12 noon until 4pm, Watson will be on hand along with his 550bhp Citroen Xsara Supercar. He'll be joined by Guy Corner and his Peugeot 206 as well as Bryan Jukes and his Audi TT. The display will also see Darlington and District Motor Club in attendance who will have information about the meeting.

On the evening of Saturday, November 15, there will be the BTRDA Dinner and 2015 Championship launch which will take place at Jersey Farm Hotel near Barnard Castle where all drivers, teams, spectators and marshals are invited to attend. Tickets for the carvery meal are strictly limited and cost from £13.50 so early booking is advisable. Transport is available from and back to Croft and for further details, please contact Mark Watson 01833-638223 or email: mark@jerseyfarm.co.uk

Any drivers who haven't received an entry form or require further information are asked to contact John Rook via email at clubmansrallycross@yahoo.co.uk or Terry Wright of organisers, Darlington & District Motor Club, on 07771-514285.

Adult admission to Croft Circuit, just off the A168 five miles south of Darlington, on Sunday 16th November costs £10 for adults with accompanied children under 15 free. Parking is free also and action commences at 9.30am. For further information visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk as well as www.clubmansrallycross.weebly.com.