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Bardy Aims For Fourth Jack Frost Win |
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Sunday, 07 January 2007 |
 Darlington & District Motor Club has attracted yet another top quality field for the eighth running of The Jack Frost Stages Rally at Croft Circuit this forthcoming Sunday (14th January), and with another capacity entry the action is bound to be fast and furious.
Utilising all of the tarmac roads around the popular North East venue, including some unique variations for the first time, the event comprises qualifying rounds of the 2007 North of England Rally Championship and ANCC Stage Rally Championship.
Attempting to claim an unprecedented fourth successive title is local
hero Tony Bardy whereby the Scotch Corner driver will have his regular
co driver Reg Smith from Richmond with him and the pair will be hoping
the recent gearbox problems that scuppered their chances on last week’s
Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally don’t return.
But there are a number of crews planning on giving the former British
Rallycross Champion a run for his money including Lancastrians John
Stone and Lee Carter (Hyundai Accent WRC) who were denied victory last
year in controversial circumstances. They too had a problematic run on
the recent Christmas Stages and will be hoping for a better showing
this time out.
The Thirsk pairing of Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West are the sole
representatives driving the venerable MG Metro 6R4 model at the North
Yorkshire track and they too will also be gunning for honours, as will
a plethora of Mitsubishi Lancers in the hands of Chris Myers, David
Jones, Martin Elsdon and the Subaru of Bob Grant.
The two wheel drive contingent will see many battles raging including
the Darrians of Tynesider John Harland and Stockton ’s Keith Davison.
The entertaining Ricky Wheeler upholds Ford Escort honours but will be
up against Whitby ’s Nick Cook and Cumbrian driver Brett Mitton.
The Peugeot 106 of Barry Lindsey will be challenging for Class 2
honours and Roger Donnan starts as one of the favourites in his Ford
Puma in Class 1 whereas in the Historic class, keep an eye on the
mighty Datsun 240Z of former Croft circuit manager, Brian Morris.
Other locals include Darlington ’s Ian Cartwright (Subaru), Gilling
West driver Luke Searle (Rover 25) and Saltburn brothers Ian and Neil
Colman (Nissan). Alistair Hutchinson from Mickleton will be a major
threat in his LPG powered Renault Clio, as will Evenwood’s Mark
Thompson in his Peugeot 206 and Kevin Liddle from Middlesbrough
(Subaru) and Northallerton’s Jonathan Bean (Talbot) should also go
well.
With a full 90 car entry, there are a number of drivers on the reserve
list hoping to get a run and one of these includes former JWRC
competitor Olly Marshall who hopes to be present in his radical Skoda
Octavia WRC.
The first car is due away at 9.25am and the organisers are aiming for
eight stages with at least one running in darkness. Admission on the
day is £8.00 per adult with accompanied children admitted free and
gates open at 8am.
Top Ten Entries
1 Tony Bardy/Reg Smith - Nissan Sunny GTI-R
2 John Stone/Lee Carter - Hyundai Accent WRC
3 Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor West - MG Metro 6R4
4 John Harland/Max Hall - Darrian T90
5 Chris Myers/Matthew Whattham - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6
6 David Jones/David Cox - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8
7 Ricky Wheeler/Gordon Thompson - Ford Escort Mk 2
8 Martin Elsdon/Ian Rettie - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6
9 Bob Grant/Vicky Grant - Subaru Impreza
10 Ian Colman/Neil Colman - Nissan Sunny GTi-R
For more information please contact Claire Jones at Croft Circuit
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