SCORTON driver Steve Petch and co-driver John Richardson, from Northallerton, returned to their beloved home forests last weekend to record a superb sixth place finish overall on the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire.

Incorporating the penultimate round of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, the two-day Malton-based event used the classic forest stages around Pickering.

After a steady start, Petch gradually climbed the leaderboard to end up sixth at the finish.

As a result, the SGP Motorsport Hyundai Accent WRC pairing claimed the Independents Trophy for the leading non-registered, non-works supported team for the second time in as many years.

One place behind them was Shildon's Barry Johnson and co-driver Stewart Merry, who brought their JPM-prepared Barrier Surveillance Subaru WRC home in seventh position.

After suffering some time-consuming punctures on the opening leg, Johnson had his work cut out to claw back the time loss and had to concede any slim chances of landing the title.

More local success came in the shape of Ingleton driver Tony Thompson and York co-driver Jon Dunning, who claimed an impressive eighth overall in their MSR Motorsport Tidybike Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.

Thompson saw off the challenge of his rivals with some committed driving over the last few stages to clinch a superb Group N class victory.

Sun newspaper reporter Rob Gill had Northallerton's Ian Windress on the notes in their SGP Motorsport Subaru Impreza and, after a number of problems, eventually brought the car home 27th overall and ninth in class.

Gearbox problems scuppered their bid in the early stages and they unselfishly stopped to help teammates Stephen Petch and Michael Wilkinson in their stricken Peugeot 206, ending up towing them through the stage.

Sadly it was to no avail as Petch, from Hamsterley, and Tow Law's Wilkinson had to retire their car with transmission problems after SS6.

Castleton driver Ryan Champion overcame brake problems on day one to lead Group N overnight in his privately-entered Mitsubishi Lancer, but a rear differential plate sheared after the opening stage on the final day to leave him and Ulster co-driver Glenn Patterson stranded on the way to the Langdale stage.

The rally was won by Manxman Mark Higgins (Ford Focus WRC) ahead of defending champion Jonny Milner (Subaru WRC), with teenager Matt Wilson (Ford Focus WRC) in third place.

There were also number of supporting events, including the National and Clubman's events split over the two days.

Matt Yeadon, from Over Silton, and Boltby co-driver Richard Shores emerged successful on both events by taking their DSM-prepared Nu Era Mitsubishi to third place overall on each day.

With his Ford Escort now being prepared by Autograss ace Martyn Tinker, Topcliffe's Tim Pearcey and co-driver Mick Johnson, from Pickhill, claimed fifth overall and second in class on Saturday's National Rally.

Pre-event favourites Kevin Procter, from Leeming, and Northallerton co-driver Mick Gilby retired with a broken front differential on SS4, while Motoscope Ford Puma Evo 4x4 teammates David Brown, from Thimbleby, and Pickering's Steve Beilby went out two stages later.

But Great Broughton driver Jonny Brown and his Leyburn co-driver James Lester could only manage to get to the first stage in Pickering Showground before retiring their Ford Puma.

Sunday's Clubman event saw all the local crews get to the finish, with comeback driver Dave Craven, from Guisborough, and Stockton's Ian Jackson on the notes claiming fourth overall in their NSS Mitsubishi.

Morton on Swale driver Charlie Taylor took his and co-driver Steve Beilby's Ford Escort Mark 2 to 11th place overall and second in class, while West Rounton's Chris Black finished 15th overall in the Ford Escort Cosworth he was sharing with Tony Walker from Barnard Castle.

Thirsk driver Jonathan Kitchen and co-driver Nigel Bennett recorded 22nd overall and second in class in their Ford Escort, with the Barnard Castle pairing of Alistair Hutchinson and St John Dykes finishing 25th overall and seventh in class in their Renault Clio.

* Dealer Team Suzuki driver Guy Wilks, from Heighington, has been crowned the 2004 British Super 1600 Champion and British Junior Champion after the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, despite not even competing on the event.

Wilks' only challenger for the British titles, Jonnie Wigmore, could only finish third in class on the rally, giving Wilks an unassailable lead going into next month's final event, the Tempest Rally based in Aldershot.

Wilks is also still firmly in contention for the Junior World Rally Championship after finishing second in class on last weekend's Rally Italia.

The 23-year-old goes into the final round on the Rally Catalunya with a three-point lead over Swede Per-Gunnar Andersson. He is hoping to become a triple rally champion on the Spanish tarmac at the end of October, but is for now delighted with his British success.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic at winning the two British championships, although to win it when not competing feels slightly strange," he said. "I am very pleased for Suzuki GB because they have put faith in myself and co-driver Phil Pugh and money in British rallying, and we've come up trumps. To be champions in our first year is very, very satisfying."

l Catterick Garrison sidecar racer Greg Lambert continued his recent good form with another strong performance, this time in the penultimate round of the Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship held at Knockhill in Scotland last weekend.

Along with passenger James Sirrell, the Dalepak Suzuki rider followed up a fifth place finish in race one with their third podium in four races when they took third place in race two.

They have now moved up to fourth place in the championship standings going into next weekend's final round at Mallory Park.

Easingwold's Steve Webster still leads the series despite retiring in the second race at Knockhill after winning the first. He takes a 27-point lead into the Mallory Park meeting, which incorporates the International Festival of Sidecars.

* The final bike racing action of the season at Croft circuit gets under way this weekend with another bumper entry for the final round of the North East Motor Cycle Racing Club Championships.

The Mac Hobson Trophy Race always features highly on the agenda for sidecar competitors and 2004 is no exception, with the cream of Britain's 'barrow boys' set to contest the annual race in memory of the Geordie legend who died in a crash at the TT 26 years ago.

Greg Lambert is sure to start as one of the favourites aboard his Dalepak Suzuki outfit, but will be expecting stiff opposition from the likes of Appleby driver Andy Laidlow and a host of other top crews.

Penrith ace Tony Baker is sure to go well and keep an eye out for Scorton's Ruth Laidlow, who will also be in action.

The solo classes include the usual mix of Scottish marauders, including Angus Mearns, Martin Jowett, Norman Brunton and John Carson, but local interest will focus on the likes of Chester le Street's David Bell and Leyburn rider James Brackenbury.

The 125cc action will see 14-year-old Lancastrian Joel Noone squaring off against 16-year-old Dan Linfoot, from Knaresborough, after a titanic battle in the last round.

Practice gets under way tomorrow at 9.30, with racing from 11am, and adult admission costs £6. Sunday sees the action start at 12.05 and adult admission is £12. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free on both days.

* Northallerton Automobile Club Ltd will be holding their annual general meeting at Elders Bar in Northallerton on Monday, November 8.

All nominations for posts already filled or any that have become vacant should be sent to the Secretary, 11 Bromley Road, Hartburn, Stockton, Cleveland TS18 4HE.