DUNFERMLINE Motor Club’s Mach One Stages Rally was the recent destination for Great Broughton driver Ian Woodhouse and co-driver Paul Rowland, from Hutton Rudby, and they came away with a superb podium finish in their Millington-engined Ford Escort Mk2.

The two-day event at Machrihanish air base saw them get off to a good start on Saturday despite clipping a bale and damaging the front wing on the opening stage. With damp conditions prevailing in the afternoon, the pair ended day one in sixth place overall out of the 113 crews.

An early start on Sunday saw the pair among the leading crews again, Woodhouse setting the third fastest time on the day’s opening stage to move up to fifth. A set of new tyres saw the pair continue their assault on the leaderboard and they were third fastest again on the next stage.

With two stages left, incorporating nearly 17 miles, the pair made a huge effort to move into third place overall on the penultimate test. They consolidated that position on the final stage to claim a fantastic class win and third overall.

Meanwhile, the long trip south to the Brecon Beacons for the Harry Flatters Rally didn’t reap any rewards for Hamsterley driver Stephen Petch and Northallerton co-driver Ian Windress, who slid off the road in their WD-40-backed SGP Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5+ and retired.

There was better news for Stanley’s Jack Morton, who guided Welshman Damian Cole to victory in their Ford Fiesta WRC, while Giles Dykes, from Barnard Castle, finished fifth overall and second in class in the MEM Proton Satria Neo he was co-driving for David Tinn.

AFTER four consecutive home wins, Redcar Bears started the Knockout Cup meeting against Edinburgh Monarchs last week in fine style with Lasse Bjerre first and Jan Graversen second in the opening heat. In heat two, the Monarchs levelled the score with a 5-1 win from ex-Bear Rob Branford and heat three saw a win for Bears’ Matej Kus, in the fastest time of the night, with teammate Jonas B Andersen second.

The home side took second and third in heat four with captain Stuart Robson and Adam Roynon respectively, and heat five saw another win for Kus, with Anderson third. Heat seven was a draw and Edinburgh bounced back in heat eight with a 5-1 to level the scores 21-21. Heat nine was drawn and was followed by the race of the night as Kus and Anderson took maximum points for the Bears.

Graverson suffered a nasty accident in heat ten, requiring hospital treatment, but he was later released and Bjerre won the re-run. Heat 11 was a win for Monarchs’ ex-Bear Justin Sedgmen, with Robson in second, which reduced the Bears' lead to two points. Heat 12 gave Kus his fourth win of the meeting, making him the top points scorer, as Bears held on to their slender lead.

In Heat 13, Monarchs' Craig Cook got a flying start, followed by Bjerre and Robson. On the back straight, Monarchs' guest rider Richie Worrall nudged Bjerre as he attempted to pass him and was excluded. This brought Bjerre down and although Robson tried to avoid him, he was too close and rode over him before falling. Both riders received extensive medical treatment on the track before Robson was able to walk back to the pits, to the cheers of the crowd.

But Bjerre was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured hip, and will be in hospital for about six weeks. Such was the length of the delay, both team managers agreed that the meeting should be abandoned and the result stand, with Bears leading 37-35 going into the return leg.

INTEREST is building ahead of next weekend’s Nostalgia Festival at Croft Circuit, with this year's 70th anniversary of VE Day making the event that bit more poignant.

The event, now in its sixth year, is acknowledged as one of the best in the North of England, with a mix of exhilarating motorsport, military vehicle displays, classic vehicles from the 1930s to the 1970s and barnstorming flying displays from period aircraft.

For more details, visit croftcircuit.co.uk.

STOCKTON and District Motor Club hosts the next TMSG quiz at Stockton Bowling Club at 7.30pm for an 8pm start on Friday, August 14. The cost is £5 per person. Call Martin on 07766 228241 or Mike on 01642 553357 for further details.