FOR the first time in more than a decade, Northallerton AC has managed to assemble a capacity 90-car entry for the annual Christmas Stages Rally to be held tomorrow.

With the traditional army ranges around Catterick out of bounds because of foot-and-mouth restrictions, the organisers have been forced into running a single-venue event at Croft circuit near Darlington.

But despite this, many top local drivers have entered the 37-mile rally sponsored jointly by Autotest Motorsport and Northern Site Supplies.

The rally plays host to rounds of three regional championships, including the Motor Sport Travel ANECCC Championship, the Kent Cams ANCC Northern Stage Rally Championship and the North of England Tarmac Rally Championship.

First away from the 9.30 start will be Scotsmen John Bogie and David Patterson in their MG Metro 6R4, followed by a similar car driven by Consett's Barry Renwick.

Former winner Kevin Procter from Leeming Bar and co-driver Chris Ramsey from Snape head the local challenge in their Ford Sapphire Cosworth, ahead of the Shildon husband and wife team of Barry and Viviane Johnson in their Subaru Impreza.

Three times British Rallycross champion and runner-up on last year's Christmas Stages Rally, Tony Bardy from Scotch Corner is expected to go well in his Nissan Sunny Gti-R, as is Castleton's Ryan Champion, having a sortie in a Subaru Impreza after challenging for Peugeot Super 106 Cup honours this season.

Osmotherley businessman David Brown and co-driver Paul Hudson from Darlington will be hoping for a good run in their 4wd Ford Puma Evolution, while joint event sponsor Dave Craven of Redcar is a strong contender for honours in his NSS Ford Sapphire.

Ford Puma 1400 champion David Henderson from Sacriston, near Durham, exchanges his title-winning car for a Mitsubishi Lancer on the rally and he will be under pressure from the likes of Melsonby's Barry Pittaway (Nissan) and Bishop Auckland driver Bob Dennis (Subaru), as well as Geordie brothers Kevin and Keith Knox in a Ford Sierra.

Other locals to look out for on their home event include Geoff Wright from Newton Aycliffe in his Almera Kit Car, Richmond brothers Mark and Andy Constantine, who won the 2000 BTRDA title in their 1400cc Nova, and Bedale butcher Richard Welford, who debuts his newly acquired Ford Escort Cosworth prepared by last year's winner Anth Eaton of Autotest Motorsport.

Former winner Charlie Taylor from Morton on Swale gives the rally's youngest competitor - his 16-year-old daughter Amy - a run out in the co-driver seat in their Mk 2 Escort, while the Rovers of Gilling West driver Terry Searle and the Darlington pair of David Cox and Terry Wright should prove ideally suited to the smooth tarmac, as will the Proton of Bishop Auckland youngster Tristan Pye.

There are no less than four lady drivers competing for the ladies award, with Pickhill's Kari Bates in with a good chance in her Peugeot 106 on her return to the sport after a serious accident a couple of years ago.

Stephen Petch from Scorton is the youngest driver in the rally at 17 and he competes in a Ford Ka, while Mick Ridgewell from Ripon drives a Mini on the event, with Consett pair Colin and Helen Elstrop also competing in a Triumph GT6.

With drivers coming from as far afield as London, in the shape of Peter Lewis (Peugeot), and Ireland, with Cork driver Ian Chadwick (Nissan), the quality field will contest eight stages during the day before the awards presentation at Croft Spa Hotel as soon as results are declared final.

Spectators will be permitted at the venue and an admission charge of £5 per adult will be made, with accompanied children under 16 admitted free.

Provisional entry list (top 10): 1 John Bogie/David Patterson, MG Metro 6r4, Dumfries; 2 Barry Renwick/David Bell, MG Metro 6r4, Consett; 3 Kevin Procter/Chris Ramsey, Ford Sapphire Cos, Leeming; 4 Barry Johnson/Viviane Johnson, Subaru Impreza, Shildon; 5 Tony Bardy/Stuart Jackson, Nissan Sunny GtiR, Scotch Corner; 6 Ryan Champion/Cliff Simmons, Subaru Impreza, Castleton; 7 Stephen Watson/Chris Slater, Ford Escort Cos, Skipton; 8 David Brown/Paul Hudson, Ford Puma Evo, Osmotherley; 9 Dave Craven/TBA, Ford Sapphire Cos, Redcar; 10 David Henderson/TBA, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4, Sacriston.