THE British Rallycross Championship returns to Croft Circuit on Sunday with a host of local drivers looking for glory on their home tarmac, writes Larry Carter.

Croft hosts round three of the series, following previous races at Silverstone and Lydden Hill, and multiple British Rallycross champion Julian Godfrey (Mitsubishi Mirage) leads former British Rally champion Mark Higgins (Peugeot 208) by three points.

However, the pair can expect stiff competition from local hero Kevin Procter from nearby Leeming, who always goes well at Croft in his Procter’s Luxury Coaches-backed Ford Fiesta. Barnard Castle’s ‘Mad Mark’ Watson is another circuit specialist in his Mend-A-Hose sponsored Citroen Xsara WRC.

Both drivers are regular winners around the North Yorkshire track and are hoping to see off a strong Supercar challenge which also includes Ollie O’Donovan (Ford Fiesta), Andy Scott (Peugeot 208), Steve Hill (Mitsubishi Lancer) and Steve Mundy (Ford Fiesta), all of whom are previous race winners.

In the MSA Supernational class, there are four local drivers expected to do well. Last year’s runner-up Paige Bellerby (Vauxhall VX220), Guy Corner (Peugeot 206) and Darren Grimston (Vauxhall Nova) are all from Northallerton, while York’s Gary Simpson (BMW E30) will also be on the start line.

Richmond brothers Tom and Luke Constantine, as well as cousin James from Dalton-on-Tees, will be aiming for more glory in the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship, as will Leeming teenager Matilda Procter and Northallerton’s Ben Sayer (all Suzuki Swifts). The Swift Sport Championship will see Cleasby driver Rob Shield face a 12-strong contingent as he continues his quest for glory after missing the previous round.

Eight out of the 12 drivers entered in the BMW Mini Championship are local to Croft with Stockton’s Martin and Andrew Hawkes going up against Ripon brothers Kris and Keifer Hudson.

Northallerton’s Drew Bellerby and Franke Helliwell from Boroughbridge will also be battling it out, but the dark horses could prove to be multiple Mini champion David Bell from Ferryhill and Darlington driver David Cox, who always does well at Croft.

The most poignant entry is that of Stokesley’s Jason Bowes, who drives the Retro Rallycross-specification VW Golf Mk1 built and raced by his teenage brother Jordan, who was tragically killed in a road accident last year.

Practice gets underway at 9.30am on Sunday, with racing from 10.15am. Adult admission is £18, with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted free. There is also free car parking and paddock access.