Darlington & District Motor Club present

The 2012 Jack Frost Stages Rally

In association with Autogas 2000 & Cartersport

Sunday 22nd January 2012 – Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire

15th January 2012

The winner from the previous three years, Paul Bird, will square off against the winner of the two previous to that, Chris Wise, meaning a battle royal is expected on next Sunday’s Darlington & District Motor Club organised Jack Frost Stages Rally at Croft Circuit.

Penrith driver Bird and Scottish co driver Kirsty Riddick will be bringing the Ford Focus WRC 07 which has seen them take victory for the past two seasons, to add to their Subaru success a year previous, but the Cumbrian ace knows he will face a strong challenge from 2007 and 2008 winners Wise and co-driver Tracey Taylor-West.

Wise, from Thirsk, will be at the wheel of his iconic MG Metro 6R4 which has just undergone a major rebuild and is determined to get his hands on the trophy for a third time but he too knows it will be a tough task, not only to see off Bird, but also the rest of what looks to be one of the strongest entries in recent years

Also contesting this year’s event, which is sponsored by fuel conversion specialists Autogas 2000 as well as specialist motorsport PR company Cartersport, is another ex winner, Dave Holland. The Leek driver won the event back in 2001 and returns for the first time in many years to try to challenge for another victory in his rapid Ford Escort Mk2.

With around 70 cars assembled for the 40-stage mile event, the battles throughout the field will be intense with a number of top drivers and spectacular cars in action throughout the day.

In Class 5, as well as Bird and Wise, expect a strong run from Geordies Michael Glendinning and Paul Hughes in their Subaru as well as the similar car of the Gaskin brothers from Chop Gate who always go well at Croft. Leeds driver Michael Pickles will be looking to erase the memory of his Specsavers Christmas Stages retirement in his Subaru but perhaps the dark horse to challenge for honours could be Teesside businessman Peter Stephenson in his Subaru WRC.

Class 4 should prove interesting as it will see the likes of Holland battle out with the Ford Escorts of Thirsk’s Rob Herrington and Northallerton driver Graeme Bell along with top Scottish driver Martyn Elsdon.

The two-litre Class 3 will be the hardest fought with Darlington stunt driver and multiple British Autotest Champion, Paul Swift going head to head in his Ford Escort Mk2 with the Ford Fiesta ST of Bishop Auckland’s Chris Anderson. Swift finished third on last year’s Jack Frost and will be keen to get the better of youngster Anderson who pipped him for second place overall on the recent Christmas Stages Rally.

However, Catterick’s Martyn Tinker (Lotus Exige), Mickelton driver Alistair Hutchinson (Renault Clio) and Mark Thompson from Egglestone (Peugeot 206) will also have something to say, as will the likes of Witton Gilbert’s Edward Todd (GTM Coupe) and Richmond driver Paul Alsop (Chrysler Sunbeam) in the toughest of classes.

The 1600cc Class 2 will prove very competitive with the likes of Carlisle driver David Taylor (Ford Escort) taking on Bedale rallycrosser Joe Cunningham (Peugeot 106) and Duncan Heseltine’s Vauxhall Nova although Northallerton’s Larry Carter (Peugeot 206) and the Citroen Saxo of Middlesbrough driver Craig Hesse should be in the mix for silverware.

Class 1 should be dominated by Thirsk starlet Mat Smith in his Ford Ka and a top twenty finish should be on the cards for the little 1400cc machine in what will be a true David versus Goliath battle.

In the Historic Class 6, expect to see the rapid Hillman Avenger of David Conley take on Northallerton builder Andrew Smith (Ford Escort) as well as Thirlby’s Ben Cree (BMW) and Tynesider Tony Thompson’s Vauxhall Chevette HSR.

The event comprises qualifying rounds of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Championship 2012, Fuchs Titan ANCC Stage Championship 2012 and the SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2012. The first car starts at 09.15 and the event will feature eight stages totalling around forty miles throughout the day, including at least one in total darkness before the prize presentation at Croft around 6pm.

Gates open at 8.00am and admission is £10.00 per adult with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted free. There is also free parking and catering and toilet facilities and further details and the full entry list can be found at www.darlington-motor-club.org.uk by following the Jack Frost dropdown from Monday 16th January.

Top Ten

1 Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick (Ford Focus WRC)

2 Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor-West (MG Metro 6R4)

3 Michael Glendinning/Paul Hughes (Subaru Impreza)

4 John Gaskin/Mark Gaskin (Subaru Impreza)

5 Peter Stephenson/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC)

6 Michael Pickles/Ann Forster (Subaru Impreza)

7 Martin Elsdon/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2)

8 Stuart Walker/Carolyn Will (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)

9 Dave Holland/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2)

10 Paul Swift/David Cox (Ford Escort Mk2)

Picture attached: Paul Bird and Kirsty Riddick are aiming for a fourth successive victory on Sunday’s Jack Frost Stages Rally at Croft.

ENDS