Darlington-BASED preparation experts C S Automotive will be contesting the Silkolene-sponsored 1400cc BTRDA rally championship in 2004 with a pair of promising young drivers.

Wakefield driver James Walker, 25, and team-mate Luke Pinder will contest the series, with Walker awaiting a new Vauxhall Corsa which is currently under construction at the team's workshop.

Walker's first two events in 2004 will be the Cumbria-based Malcolm Wilson Rally and the North Humberside Rally, based in Hull. But, due to hectic work schedules, the Corsa will not be ready until April.

In the meantime, Walker will use C S Automotive's Group N1 Peugeot 106 hire car. The car was used to win the class on the North Humberside in 2003 and Walker is hopeful of a similar result this time around.

C S Automotive proprietor and team manager Ian Cartwright welcomed the opportunity to run a pair of competitive young drivers, commenting that both James and Luke are stars of the future.

He said: "Both have the ability to succeed despite running on minimal budgets. James is committed to the BTRDA for 2004 having spent 2003 having a look at some of the events - he should prove very competitive in 2004.

"Luke has also registered for the series and is currently looking for the budget to be able to contest all the events."

* Plans are well under way for the 29th running of the Malcolm Wilson Rally, which will be based once again in the North Cumbrian market town of Cockermouth and comprises the second round of the 2004 BTRDA Championships.

The popular event, which takes place on Saturday, March 6, has been oversubscribed in previous years.

Due to ongoing work in the Grizedale and North Lakes forest complex, some of the stages will be altered for this year with competitor safety in mind.

Local crews who have done well on the event in the past include Dougi Hall and Steve Egglestone from Appleby, who used the event as a shakedown for their excursion into the British Rally Championship last year and collected third place on the way. Scorton ace Steve Petch and Northallerton co-driver John Richardson have won the title on four occasions and will be looking for top honours again in their latest ex-factory Hyundai Accent WRC.

Regulations and entry forms are now available via the web site www.malcolmwilson.co.uk and anyone interested in marshalling is asked to contact Mike Dunning, whose details are also on the web site.

* Entries are rolling in thick and fast for next weekend's Jack Frost Stages Rally to be held at Croft circuit near Darlington, with another quality field set to contest the Darlington and District Motor Club annual event.

The rally is sponsored by Digital Office Solutions and comprises rounds of two regional championships. Last year's winner John Bogie will be once again at the wheel of his MG Metro 6R4 in a bid to retain his title.

However, the dark horse could well be Cumbrian newcomer Mark Bird, who impressed on the recent Christmas Stages Rally at the same venue. Providing his Hyundai Accent WRC can be prepared in time, he aims to have another blast with Northallerton's Ian Windress on the maps.

Northallerton shopkeeper Darren Grimston will be switching from two wheels to four on his debut event in the CS Automotive Peugeot 106, while others likely to be in the running for class honours include Dave Bellerby from Northallerton in his Corsa, Carlisle's Barry Lindsey (Peugeot) and Yorkshireman Charles Reeday (Escort).

Late entries are still available by contacting Yvonne Wright on 01325 359895.

l Following months of speculation, four of the UK's top race circuits - Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park and Snetterton - have been sold for an undisclosed sum.

The four tracks all host rounds of the British Superbike Championship, while Brands Hatch is also the venue for the European World Superbike round which has become one of the largest outdoor sporting events in the UK each summer.

The Kent venue alone, which also hosts a pair of BTCC races each year, is said to be worth about £35m.

The new owners are MotoSport Vision, whose managing director is former F1 car racer Jonathan Palmer. He has confirmed that the circuits' futures are safe as it was initially rumoured that Brands Hatch was being earmarked for a housing development.

"We are absolutely committed to developing motor racing at the circuits and believe that through innovation and quality enhancement we can revitalise one of the UK's most exciting sports," said the former BBC TV commentator.

Former owner Interpublic will continue to lease the Silverstone track from the British Racing Drivers Club to host the British F1 Grand Prix