FOR the first time since December, stage rallying returned to the motorsport scene when the second round of the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship with MSVR took place at Snetterton in Norfolk last weekend.

And it proved to be successful as six of the top seven finishers had connections with the region although not the winning crew of Midlander Rhys Yates and co-driver James Morgan in their Ford Fiesta R5.

Following them home in second place was Penrith’s Frank Bird who along with County Durham co-driver Jack Morton, brought their Ford Fiesta R5 home just 14 seconds adrift on their first event in the car after winning the previous round at Donington Park.

Third place went the way of Saltburn co-driver Neil Colman who guided Mark Kelly in another Ford Fiesta R5 whilst impressive Harrogate youngster Elliot Payne and co-driver Cameron Fair posted an impressive fourth overall in their Ford Fiesta.

Scruton’s Kevin Procter and Northallerton co-driver Dave Bellerby guided their Procter’s Luxury Coaches-sponsored Ford Fiesta S2000T to a fine fifth position, seven seconds ahead of the second member of the Payne family, Elliot’s dad Charlie who was in action with Welsh co-driver Carl Williamson in their Ford Fiesta WRC.

Crook driver David Henderson continued his comeback along with co-driver Chris Williams and claimed seventh overall and with it, the first two-wheel drive car in their Ford Escort Mk2 whilst Jonathan Bennett from Thirsk took 20th position overall and 15th in class in the Mitsubishi Evo he was sharing with driver Paul Walker.

And rounding off a great weekend was Northallerton’s Marc Fowler who was co-driving for Scottish rallycross ace Andy Scott and in a very competitive 100-car field, they brought their Ford Fiesta home in 28th overall and 17th in class.