SCOTTON sidecar driver Greg Lambert was the pick of the local contingent when he took victory in the Formula Two sidecar event around the narrow confines of the Olivers Mount race track on the outskirts of Scarborough last weekend.

Along with new passenger John Reynolds, he followed up his win with another pair of rostrum places over the weekend aboard the 600cc Windle Yamaha to round off a successful conclusion to the Auto 66 club's bike week festivals.

Thirsk crew Tony Thirkell and Adi Smith also produced a pair of good results posting two fourth places on their Honda outfit.

Mick Jackson from Gilling West was making a rare mainland outing and recorded a best result of second place aboard his 80cc Suzuki, before taking fourth place on the 125cc Honda later in the week.

Darlington's Phil Coverdale posted eighth in Saturday's 80cc race before upping the pace to claim sixth in Sunday's event.

Newton Aycliffe were well represented in the larger categories, with Neil Metcalfe scoring a fine sixth place in the national Superbike event on his Yamaha and Mick Gooding finishing fifth in the national 600 event on his Honda.

Herbie Robinson of Hutton Rudby took fifth place in the classic race, while Northallerton courier Paul Mackley, forced to miss Saturday's action due to business commitments, was sixth overall in the 400cc class on his 250cc Manton Yamaha.

But there was no luck for one of the big race favourites when Northallerton's Phil Stead crashed out of his opening race, sustaining a fractured collar bone in the process.

The injury means the Manton Hungry Jacks Honda rider is likely to miss this weekend's 250cc British Championship race at Oulton Park.

Meanwhile, more than 200 people turned out to welcome the Spanish grand prix rider Carlos Checa to the North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters Club chat show at Elders Bar, Northallerton last Wednesday evening.

Team manager Geoff Crust and British 250cc grand prix rider Jason Vincent accompanied the works Yamaha ace, who currently lies in second place in the 500cc world championship.

The event raised over £2,000, mainly thanks to the raffle and the successful auction, which saw a pair of VIP British Grand Prix tickets go for more than £200.

The money will be donated to local motor sport competitors in preparation for next season.

l More motor sport news on page 27.