CONTESTING the event which takes place a stone’s throw from his home and is sponsored by his father’s company, Hamsterley driver Stephen Petch took victory on the SG Petch Tour of Hamsterley rally for a third year in succession, winning by nearly a minute last Saturday.

Despite the torrential morning rain and fog which threatened to disrupt the superb organisation of Stockton and District MC’s flagship event, Petch and Crook co-driver Michael Wilkinson brought their SGP Motorsport-prepared and WD-40-backed Ford Fiesta R5+ home in first place.

They won despite a few technical gremlins over the 40 stage miles in the Hamsterley Forest complex, as well as at Raby Castle.

Third overall was Ripon driver Matthew Robinson, who claimed a class win in the Ford Escort Mk2 he was sharing with Sam Collis. They were pleased to get a result this year as the pair had rolled out of the event a couple of years ago, wrecking their car in the process.

Teesside’s Peter Stephenson and Northallerton co-driver Ian Windress were hoping to use the ABLE UK-backed Ford Focus WRC, but ended up taking to the start in the MG ZR S2000, reaching the Stainton finish in sixth place overall. One place further back was the usual giant-killing 1400cc Proton Satria of Thirsk’s Mat Smith, who took a class win with local co-driver Giles Dykes, from Barnard Castle.

Eighth overall was event sponsor Steve Petch, from Scorton, who was having a rare outing in the SGP Motorsport Ford Fiesta S2000. He and Exelby co-driver John Richardson reported no problems other than a faulty alternator and the slippery conditions.

Brompton’s Darren Grimston and Hebburn co-driver Richard Ross survived an overshoot on SS4 to bring the Northallerton Tyre and Battery-prepared Subaru home 15th overall, three places ahead of Ingleton brothers Daniel and Matthew Thompson, who had another great drive to claim second in class in their 1400cc Peugeot 205.

Darlington’s Mike Williams, along with Bishop Auckland co-driver Steve Perry, improved from a start number of 42 to claim a superb top 20 position in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9.

Ben Cree, from Thirlby, and Helmsley co-driver Alan Ward took 21st overall and second in class in their 1600cc Peugeot 205, four places ahead of Potto’s Keith Davison and Ripon co-driver Henry Richardson, who claimed second in class in their Chrysler Avenger. Redcar driver Christopher Roe and co-driver Mark Whitehouse overcame the treacherous conditions to claim 26th overall and fourth in class in their Vauxhall Nova.

The Guisborough pairing of Mike Thornton and Dave Scrimgour brought their Ford Escort Mexico home 31st overall and fifth in class, three seconds ahead of Northallerton driver Larry Carter and co-driver Kari Bates, from Pickhill, who claimed fourth in class in their KF Motorsport-prepared Peugeot 206.

Bishop Auckland driver David Coatsworth and Pickhill co-driver Chris Pattison broke a driveshaft on the opening stage and, although they managed to rejoin the rally for the afternoon loop, they were classified as non-finishers. Lanchester driver Trevor Gamble was having a good run until problems forced his Ford Puma S1600 out on SS4.

l The Vale of York Stages Rally took place at Melbourne Airfield, near York, last Sunday and just one of the four local crews entered made it to the finish as Shaun Wilson, from Bedale, and co-driver Chris Longster brought their Subaru Impreza home 10th overall and eighth in class.

Topcliffe driver Nick Kitching and co-driver Andrew Trollope retired their Ford RS2000 on the sixth stage and, making a welcome comeback after their North West Stages accident earlier in the year, Richmond brothers Mark and Andrew Constantine retired their CBS-backed Vauxhall Corsa on the same stage. Pickhill co-driver Chris Pattison made it two retirements in two days when the Vauxhall Nova he was sharing with Leeds driver Andy Forrest also went out.

l The penultimate round of Darlington and District MC’s ultra-popular Northern Sports and Saloon Car Championship (NSSCC) took place at Croft over both days last weekend with another packed grid contesting the various classes.

Leading the way with a superb double class win was Darlington driver Dave Cox, who claimed 13th overall on Saturday and 12th on Sunday. He was followed home on both occasions by Stockton’s Steven Craggs in his Ford Fiesta, taking a second and a third place in class respectively.

Darlington’s Mark Leybourne was on fine form in his Westfield, taking another double class win while coming home with a best result of ninth on Sunday. After coming out of retirement this season, Terry Wright, also from Darlington, drove well to claim a pair of third places in class in his Seat Ibiza. He enjoyed continual battles with fellow Darlington driver Dave Hewitson, who took a brace of fourth places in class in his Toyota Supra.

Stockton’s Jack Harper raced the family Triumph Spitfire to third in class on Saturday before veteran Ron Harper took over on Sunday to finish 13th overall and second in class. Also in action on Sunday was Ingleby Barwick driver Dave Botterill, who took his Porsche 944 to tenth overall and a class win.

For former NSSCC champion Paul Moss, from Darlington, Saturday’s retirement proved terminal for the weekend for his 1600cc Citroen Saxo.