AFTER a four month absence, local butcher Richard Welford returned to competition with a superb result on last weekend's Dukeries Rally held in Sherwood Forest.
Welford, from Crakehall, who owns the Beavers Butchers shop in Masham as well as the Masham Sausage Company, has endured a string of bad luck in events over the last 18 months since acquiring his Ford Escort Cosworth.
But along with co-driver Richard Ross, the pair defied their lowly seeding of 92 and the rutted tracks to claim 23rd overall and 12th in class on the BTRDA Championship event.
Three other local crews were hoping to emulate Welford's success but sadly none of them were to see the finish ramp after various problems.
Former winners in the Dukeries stages and fresh from returning from the Barbados Rally, Kevin Procter from Leeming Bar and Northallerton co-driver Mick Gilby broke the suspension on their Escort Cosworth on SS2 which forced them out, the same stage claiming Ripon's Tim Pearcey and Thirsk co-driver Mick Johnson whose gearbox broke on their Ford Escort.
Redcar driver Dave Craven and co-driver Ian Jackson from Hartburn lasted until the penultimate stage when they crashed their Ford Sapphire Cosworth whilst well placed.
* More Motorsport: page 33
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