Jack Frost Stages Rally - 18 Jan 09

BIRD STORMS TO JACK FROST VICTORY

Posted: January 19, 2009 2:42 PM

Penrith rally driver Paul Bird saw off some strong opposition to win today's Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.

Driving the Vent Axia and Kick Energy sponsored Subaru WRC S9 along with Northallerton co-driver Ian Windress, the pair were pushed all the way by double winners Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West in their MG Metro 6R4, but Bird emerged victorious by 34 seconds after eight stages.

With no problems to report on the TEG Sport-run car all day, Bird eased off as wintry showers arrived late in the day but a steady run through the final couple of stages saw him clinch his inaugural win on the Darlington and District Motor Club event.

"After finishing second on the Christmas Stages a few weeks ago I was determined to win today. There were some good drivers and Chris Wise in particular kept us on our toes all day. The weather caused us a few problems late in the day but I'm delighted to win and hope this bodes well for the season ahead. Now I've won an event I'm hoping my Superbike riders can do likewise in the world championship."

Bird's next outing is on Rallye Sunseeker at the end of February for the opening round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship

Photos

Posted: January 19, 2009 2:39 PM

Ian Hardy Motorsport Photography

Results

Posted: January 19, 2009 2:37 PM

1, Paul Bird/Ian Windress - Subaru Impreza WRC - 41m57s
2, Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor-West - MG Metro 6R4 - 42m31s
3, Steven Hogg/Phil Shortt - Subaru Impreza - 43m01s
4, Richard Cook/Edwin Cook - Mitsubishi Evo - 44m12s
5, David Hardie/Michael Baird - Subaru Impreza - 44m18s
6, John Gaskin/Mark Gaskin - Subaru Impreza - 44m27s
7, Chris Marshall/Simon Hunter - Mitsubishi Evo 5 - 44m47s
8, John Deegan/Giles Dykes - Honda Civic - 45m30s
9, Kev Dunn/Alison Woodcock - Subaru Impreza - 46m01s
10, Alistair Hutchinson/St John Dykes - Renault Clio - 46m02s

Results

Results: North East Rally Services

TOP DRIVERS SET FOR JACK FROST SHOWDOWN

Posted: January 13, 2009 12:43 PM

A capacity ninety car entry will line up for the Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally to be held at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire and as well as quantity comes plenty of quality headed by last year's winners, Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West.

Indeed, the Pickhill pairing are on a hat trick having sampled victory in 2007 also and with their Autogas 2000-sponsored MG Metro 6R4 benefiting from a recent rebuild, they will start as one of the favourites for victory on the Darlington & District Motor Club event.

However, there is the small matter of three other iconic 6R4s in the line up as well as a former national champion in a Subaru WRC so it is anyone's guess who will lift the victor's trophy come Sunday evening.

Chasing Wise is 2007 Christmas Stages winners, John Stone and Lee Carter from Blackburn who missed the recent Croft event over the festive period as their Legend Fires-sponsored 6R4 was undergoing a rebuild but they aim to get back to winning ways. However, the team is facing a race against time but if the 6R4 isn't ready, then Stone plans on giving his recently acquired Ford Escort Mk2 its debut.

Having gained invaluable knowledge from his inaugural visit to Croft for the Specsavers event a couple of weeks ago, Mark Jasper and Don Whyatt will be hoping to improve on their fifth place last time out whereas Midlander John Marwood and co driver David Fossey complete the line up of British Leyland legends which are still firm favourites with the fans.

But the one driver they will all be looking to is 2005 National Champion Paul Bird in his ex Petter Solberg Subaru WRC S9. The Penrith chicken farmer has teamed up with Ian Windress from Northallerton as he makes a comeback for the 2009 season and after finishing runner up on the Specsavers Christmas Stages last month, he hopes to go one better and add the Jack Frost title to his brace of Christmas Stages wins.

As ever, there is a healthy Scottish contingent for the event which is a qualifying round of the North of England Rally Championship 2009, 2009 SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship and ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2009.

The Subaru Imprezas of Bob Grant, Steven Hogg, Kev Dunn and David Hardie will be in the mix as they square off with asphalt specialists from south of the border including the Mitsubishis of Tommi Graham, Chris Marshall and Richard Cook as well as the Imprezas of Nick Stamper and local ace, John Gaskin.

Cook will be at the wheel of the SGP Motorsport Lancer Evo 9 for the event whereby the fully-sponsored drive for the day is his prize for winning the SG Petch ANECCC Championship last year.

And it's not just in the four-wheel drive class that an intense battle will rage, right down the order; the two-wheel drive cars will be well worth watching.

With nearly two dozen 1600cc cars in action, Tynesider Kev Monaghan will be aiming to repeat his recent Croft win in his Vauxhall Corsa but will face very stiff opposition in the shape of Chris Platt (Vauxhall Tigra) and Cumbrian Barry Lindsay (Peugeot 106).

In the two-litre class, John Deegan's Honda Civic should do battle with the Ford Escort of Davy Hughes but Alistair Hutchinson's LPG-powered Renault Clio RS and the Peugeot 206 of fellow Barnard Castle driver Mark Thompson cannot be ruled out.

John Cressey's BMW Mini will square off with the Ford Escort of Geoff Wilson in the over 2000cc class and in the 1400cc class, the father and daughter team of Derrick and Sarah Fawcett from Durham could spring a surprise in their recently upgraded Vauxhall Nova.

The Historic class is well represented with Richmond's Brian Morris' venerable Datsun 240Z lining up against the Ford Escort of Whitby driver John Cockerill whereas the Porsche 911 of Peter Smith is hoping to get a run from the reserve list.

Local motorsport company Cartersport (www.cartersport.com) are sponsoring the event and proprietor Larry Carter from Northallerton along with co driver Richard Place will also be in action in their MSR Motorsport-prepared Peugeot 206.

WISE AIMS FOR JACK FROST HAT TRICK

Posted: January 7, 2009 3:38 PM

In just over a week's time, no less than ninety crews will be lining up for the Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally to be held at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire and as well as quantity comes plenty of quality headed by last year's winners, Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West.

Indeed, the Pickhill pairing are on a hat trick having sampled victory in 2007 also and with their Autogas-sponsored MG Metro 6R4 benefiting from a recent rebuild, they will start as one of the favourites for victory on the Darlington & District Motor Club event.

However, there is the small matter of three other iconic 6R4s in the line up as well as a former national champion in a Subaru WRC so it is anyone's guess who will lift the victor's trophy come next Sunday evening.

Chasing Wise at number two is 2007 Christmas Stages winners, John Stone and Lee Carter from Blackburn who missed the recent Croft event over the festive period as their Legend Fires-sponsored 6R4 was undergoing a rebuild but they aim to get back to winning ways.

Having gained invaluable knowledge from his inaugural visit to Croft for the Specsavers event a couple of weeks ago, Mark Jasper and Don Whyatt will be hoping to improve on their fifth place last time out whereas Midlander John Marwood and co driver David Fossey complete the four British Leyland legends which are still firm favourites with the fans.

But the one driver they will all be wary of is 2005 ANCRO Champion Paul Bird in his ex Petter Solberg Subaru WRC S9. The Penrith chicken farmer has teamed up with Ian Windress from Northallerton as he makes a comeback for the 2009 season and after finishing runner up on the Specsavers Christmas Stages last month, he hopes to go one better and add the Jack Frost title to his brace of Christmas Stages wins.

As ever, there is a healthy Scottish contingent for the event which is a qualifying round of the North of England Rally Championship 2009, 2009 SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship, Borders Stage Rally Championship 2009 and ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2009.

The Subaru Imprezas of Bob Grant, Steven Hogg, Kev Dunn and David Hardie will be in the mix as they square off with asphalt specialists from south of the border including the Mitsubishis of Tommi Graham, Chris Marshall and Richard Cook as well as the Imprezas of Nick Stamper and local ace, John Gaskin.

And it's not just in the four-wheel drive class that an intense battle will rage, right down the order; the two-wheel drive cars will be well worth watching.

With nearly two dozen 1600cc cars in action, Tynesider Kev Monaghan will be aiming to repeat his recent Croft win in his Vauxhall Corsa but will face very stiff opposition in the shape of Chris Platt (Vauxhall Tigra) and Cumbrian Barry Lindsay (Peugeot 106).

In the two-litre class, John Deegan's Honda Civic should do battle with the Ford Escort of Davy Hughes but Alistair Hutchinson's LPG-powered Renault Clio RS and the Peugeot 206 of fellow local driver Mark Thompson cannot be ruled out.

John Cressey's BMW Mini will square off with the Ford Escort of Geoff Wilson in the over 2000cc class and in the 1400cc class, the father and daughter team of Derrick and Sarah Fawcett could spring a surprise in their recently upgraded Vauxhall Nova.

The Historic class is well represented with Brian Morris' venerable Datsun 240Z lining up against the Ford Escort of John Cockerill whereas the Porsche 911 of Peter Smith is hoping to get a run from the reserve list.

Top Ten
1 Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor-West (MG Metro 6R4)
2 John Stone/Lee Carter (MG Metro 6R4)
3 Paul Bird/Ian Windress (Subaru Impreza WRC)
4 John Marwood/David Fossey (MG Metro 6R4)
5 Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt (MG Metro 6R4)
6 Bob Grant/Pete Carstairs (Subaru Impreza)
7 Chris Marshall/Simon Hunter (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5)
8 Richard Cook/Edwin Cook (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
9 Steven Hogg/Phil Shortt (Subaru Impreza)
10 Kev Dunn/Alison Woodcock (Subaru Impreza)

The first car starts at 09.05 and the event comprises eight stages totalling around forty miles throughout the day, including at least one in total darkness before the prize presentation at Darlington Football Club.

Further details and the full entry list can be found on the club website - follow the 'Jack Frost' dropdown.

Darlington & District Motor Club

Entry List

Posted: January 7, 2009 3:36 PM

Darlington & District Motor Club

STARS ENTER EARLY FOR CARTERSPORT JACK FROST STAGES RALLY

Posted: December 12, 2008 6:23 PM

With just over five weeks to go to the Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally, already the entries are rolling in for what is expected to be a titanic battle around Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire for the event on Sunday 18th January 2009.

Already, the second of the winter car rallies at Croft has so far attracted around forty crews to date for the Darlington and District Motor Club event, including 2007 and 2008 winner Chris Wise in his MG Metro 6R4, former National Rally Champion Paul Bird in his exotic Subaru Impreza WRC and the Mitsubishi Lancer of top asphalt driver, Tommi Graham.  Also, the formidable MG Metro 6R4 duo of John Stone and Mark Jasper have confirmed their entries to add to the quality of what will be a superb line up.

With the preceding Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally on December 28th expected to be massively over-subscribed when entries close this weekend, meaning a potential late influx of entries, then prospective competitors are encouraged to get their entries in for the Jack Frost as soon as possible to avoid further disappointment, especially as no cheques will be banked until 31st December 2008.

"We have been over-subscribed for the past three years so we don't want anyone to be disappointed if we can help it, therefore we'd sooner people get their entries in early rather than risk missing out. We usually get an influx after the Christmas Stages but if people leave it that late, they really do run the risk of not getting a confirmed place" said Secretary of the Meeting, Terry Wright.

"There is no selection process and we do not reserve any entries, it's a case of the first ninety cars get a run, then we open a reserve list in receipt order. In the unlikely event that there are any entries available after the closing date, and the entry list has been seeded, then they will run at the back of the field" concluded Terry.

The event is a qualifying round of the North of England Rally Championship 2009, 2009 SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship, Borders Stage Rally Championship 2009 and ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2009; there are classes for all modern cars as well as historics.

Scrutineering and Documentation take place the same day as the event which gets underway with the first car at 09.15. The entry fee is £190 with the final closing date being 5th January 2009 and for further information, please contact Terry Wright on 01325 359895 (before 21.00).

Regulations and entry forms are now available at

Darlington & District Motor Club

CARTERSPORT JACK FROST STAGES RALLY REGS AVAILABLE

Posted: November 7, 2008 2:40 PM

Local specialist motorsport PR company, Cartersport, have teamed up with Darlington and District Motor Club for the 2009 Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally which will take place at Croft Circuit on Sunday 18th January 2009.

The event will comprise up to eight stages totalling around 36 stage miles on the ribbon-smooth tarmac of the North East's only permanent race track and will be a qualifying round of The North of England Rally Championship 2009, 2009 SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship, Borders Stage Rally Championship 2009 and ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2009.

The event has gained in popularity over the years and usually attracts a capacity ninety-car entry, including some of the top drivers in the UK. Scotch Corner preparation expert Tony Bardy holds the record of three wins from 2004 to 2006 and prior to that, Scotland's John Bogie took a double victory in his MG Metro 6R4. However, for the last two years, Yorkshireman Chris Wise has taken the honours in his MG Metro 6R4 and will be looking to make it a hat-trick on next year's event.

In addition to providing many services within the motorsport industry, Northallerton-based Cartersport look after the PR and publicity work for Croft Circuit meaning the association is mutually beneficial according to Managing Director, Larry Carter:
"I've competed on the Jack Frost Stages on a number of occasions and it's always a great event, one of which is it gives you something to look forward to in January! We do a lot of work, and also compete occasionally with Darlington and District Motor Club, and work closely with Croft Circuit also so we're delighted to be associated with the event."

Secretary of the Meeting, Terry Wright commented: "Having Cartersport on board adds a new dimension to the event. DDMC has always strived to make the event a real 'clubmans' rally with the stages designed to allow small, nimble cars to compete for overall results against the more powerful 4WD. Larry has always been an advocate of grassroots motorsport."

Scrutineering and Documentation take place the same day as the event which gets underway with the first car at 09.15 and there are classes for cars up to 1400cc, up to 1600cc, up to 2000cc, up to 2400cc and over 2400cc as well as pre-1976 classic rally cars. The entry fee is 190 and the final closing date is 5th January 2009, although competitors are advised to enter early to avoid disappointment.

Regulations and entry forms are now available at

Darlington & District Motor Club