County Durham rally driver Chris Anderson was back in action at Croft Circuit for the second time in just over two weeks last Sunday and this time came away with a much better result with a top fifteen placing on the Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally.
Having contested the recent Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally in the ice and snow, which wasn't to his or the car's liking, the 18-year-old maintenance engineer from Butterknowle near Bishop Auckland was at the wheel of the Chris Birkbeck-prepared ex M-Sport 2000cc Ford Fiesta, with backing from Wilkinson Maintenance Ltd and John Cullerton & Sons.
Along with Durham co-driver Chris Thirling, the pair didn't enjoy the best of starts on the annual Darlington & District Motor Club event and were relieved when the opening stage was cancelled due to a timing malfunction. SS2 saw them get into their stride despite the damp conditions and by the halfway point, had climbed inside the top twenty.
SS5 was subsequently cancelled also, and once again luck prevailed as Anderson and Thirling lost time but made amends on the sixth stage as they hoisted themselves to 16th overall, despite being held up by slower cars.
As dusk started to fall, they dropped a little time on the penultimate stage but a brilliant effort in the darkness of the final 4.5 mile stage elevated Anderson to 15th place overall and with it fifth in class as just four seconds covered Chris and the other four cars in front.
Chris said: "We had a new engine built before the Christmas Stages and it produces a lot more horsepower but in those icy conditions, we struggled a lot. The Jack Frost Stages was a lot wetter than I'd have liked, and the chicanes were very, very tight but we had a good run and am delighted to finish in 15th. It would have been a bit higher had we not caught some cars at inopportune places but it's the same for everyone and I'm satisfied with our performance."
Anderson and Thirling's next planned outing is at Ingliston in Scotland on 26th March.
Penrith rally driver Paul Bird successfully defended his Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally when he took a comfortable win on today's event at a mild but damp Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.
Along with Scottish co driver Kirsty Riddick in the www.supercasino.com and Vent Axia backed Ford Focus WRC08, shod with DMACK tyres, the pair ended the 40 stage mile event well over a minute to the good and in doing so, added to their victories in 2009 and 2010 to match the record of three wins by Tony Bardy on the annual Darlington & District Motor Club-organised event.
Ring rusty after not competing since August, the Kawasaki World Superbike Team boss played himself in on the opening two stages as he battled with the MG Metro 6R4 of double winners Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West but after the Yorkshire pairing retired, it was a case of simply controlling the lead which Bird did to good effect for the total of eight stages as he ran out the winner by one minute and 17 seconds.
"I've not driven the car for five months so I'd forgotten what half the stuff did but as soon as we got into the swing of things, it all started to come together. The car has run faultlessly again and the DMACK tyres were awesome, we had no problems with grip all day despite the slippery conditions. Well done to the organisers, it's a cracking little rally and although a couple of the chicanes were a little too tight, I really enjoyed it and I aim to be back next year to make it four in a row!" said Bird afterwards.
Bird's next outings are scheduled to be the opening two rounds of the BTRDA Championship with the Wyedean and his local Malcolm Wilson Rally in his native Lake District.
Full Results
Posted: January 19, 2011 3:35 PM
1, Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick - Ford Focus WRC - 0:34:01
2, Martyn Tinker/Ann Forster - Lotus Exige - 0:35:18
3, Paul Swift/David Cox - Ford Escort - 0:35:36
4, Alex Taylor/Simon Singleton - Subaru Forester - 0:36:15
5, Stuart Baillie/Dave Cranston - Subaru Impreza - 0:36:15
6, Simon Moore/Janice Moore - Renault Clio - 0:36:21
7, Chris Grieve/Paul Makepeace - Peugeot 106 GTi - 0:36:57
8, Alistair Hutchinson/St John Dykes - Renault Clio - 0:37:20
9, Dave Conley/Mike Scrimgour - Hillman Avenger - 0:37:38
10, Dave Craven/Brian Smith - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 0:37:40
Despite the freezing conditions in recent weeks, Darlington & District Motor Club, the organisers of the 2011 Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally to be held at Croft Circuit this forthcoming Sunday, are hoping that any snow or ice will stay well away and that another bumper crowd can enjoy the action.
Last month's Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally at Croft attracted a very good crowd of over 1,500 fans despite the bad weather so with the forecast for the weekend to be much milder and dryer, competitors, organisers, marshals and spectators alike are looking forward to some fast entertainment around the North's premier racetrack.
Winner for the last two years, Paul Bird, is going for the hat trick and along with Scottish co-driver Kirsty Riddick, heads the entry list in his works-specification Ford Focus WRC. The Penrith driver was National Rally Champion back in 2005 and the event will be one of a select few he contests in 2011.
However, another local crew are looking to stamp their names on the winner's trophy for a third time and following retirement due to the treacherous conditions on the Christmas Stages a couple of weeks ago, Pickhill pairing Chris Wise and co-driver Tracey Taylor-West are hoping to add to their Jack Frost victories in 2006 and 2007 in their venerable MG Metro 6R4.
With over 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, the unique Subaru Forester of Alex Taylor is always a hit with rally fans at Croft and he'll be up against the likes of York's Chris Myers (Mitsubishi), Scotsman Stuart Baillie (Subaru) and the Mazda 323 of Leeds driver David Marshall. However, a strong local contingent challenging for honours includes Redcar's Dave Craven (Mitsubishi), Chop Gate brothers John and Mark Gaskin (Subaru) and Brompton shopkeeper Darren Grimston (Mitsubishi).
Class 4 should prove interesting as Darlington stunt driver and multiple British Autotest Champion, Paul Swift, goes head to head with fellow Ford Escort Mk2 driver from Scotland, Martin Elsdon.
Catterick Autograsser Martyn Tinker will look towards putting the disappointment of retirement on the Christmas Stages behind him as he goes for Class 3 honours in his Lotus Exige but can expect stiff opposition from Tynesider Dave Conley (Hillman Avenger) and the LPG-powered Renault Clio of Mickleton's Alistair Hutchinson.
The 1600cc Class 2 will prove most competitive with the likes of Carlisle builder Barry Lindsay (Peugeot 106) squaring off with Northumberland farmer Chris Singer (Citroen Saxo Kit Car) and Yorkshireman Chris Platt (Vauxhall Tigra) whilst in Class 1, Andy Fawcett from Witton Gilbert will be mixing it in his Vauxhall Nova with Berwick's David Martin (Vauxhall Astra) and York driver Samantha Gabb in her Peugeot 106.
Local motorsport PR company, Cartersport Motorsport Media and Communications, (www.cartersport.com) are sponsoring the event for a third successive year and proprietor Larry Carter from Northallerton will also be in action in the MSR Motorsport-prepared Peugeot 206.
Other local drivers to keep an eye on are Barnard Castle's John Bainbridge (Subaru), the Citroen Saxos of Hutton Rudby joiner Kevin Liddle and Middlesbrough's Craig Hesse, Durham GTM driver Edward Todd and the Nissan Pulsar of Sunderland's Jon Olds, whereas Bedale falconer Tommi Graham (Ford Escort) and Norton's Paul Dolan (Mitsubishi) are expected to be as spectacular as ever.
There are still a limited number of late entries available for the event which comprises rounds of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Rally Championship 2011, SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2011, Borders Stage Rally Championship 2011 and ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2011. For further information, please contact 01325 359895 / +44 1325 359895
The first car starts at 09.15 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 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.
Late Demand for Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Entries
Posted: January 6, 2011 4:29 PM
Despite a rush of entries prior to the closing date earlier in the week, there is still a limited amount of availability for the Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally which takes place at Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire next Sunday (16th January).
The Darlington and District Motor Club-organised event will again comprise eight stages totalling around 40 stage miles on the ribbon-smooth tarmac of the North East's only permanent racetrack and will be a qualifying round of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Rally Championship 2011, SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2011, Borders Stage Rally Championship 2011 and ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2011.
The organisers will be seeding the entry list this weekend and whereas any remaining places may be available thereafter, any competitor planning on competing, and who doesn't want to run with a high door number, should contact entries secretary Terry Wright on 01325 359895 urgently.
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 £195 and for further information, regulations and entry forms, please visit
Former national rally champion Paul Bird has this week confirmed he will defend his Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally title when he goes for the hat trick of wins at Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire on Sunday 16th January 2011.
The Penrith driver will once again bring his Ford Focus WRC08 in which he won last year's Darlington & District Motor Club-organised event to add to the win he took in his Subaru WRC in 2009.
Along with Scottish co-driver Kirsty Riddick, Bird is planning to contest selected events only in 2011, starting with the Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally:
"It's always a well organised and challenging event and Darlington and District Motor Club make you feel very welcome. Although I won't be doing much rallying at all next year due to increased commitments with my bike racing team, this is one event I'm planning on doing and am looking forward to it," said the Penrith driver.
Entries are steadily filtering in for the event which will again comprise eight stages totalling around 36 stage miles on the ribbon-smooth tarmac of the North East's only permanent racetrack and will be a qualifying round of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Rally Championship 2011, SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2011, Borders Stage Rally Championship 2011, ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2011 and Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship 2011.
Already entered is Darlington stunt driver Paul Swift in his Ford Escort, leading Ford Escort campaigner Ricky Wheeler and local autograss ace Martyn Tinker (Lotus Exige) as well as event sponsor Larry Carter from Northallerton in his Peugeot 206.
In addition to providing many broadcasting and journalism services within the motorsport industry, Northallerton-based Cartersport look after the PR and publicity work for a number of top teams and competitors, including Croft Circuit.
"The two Croft rallies, both the Specsavers Christmas Stages and the Cartersport Jack Frost are two of the highlights of the year for me and I'm looking forward to both events. The Christmas Stages is well oversubscribed and has a cracking entry and so too will the Jack Frost so my advice would be if you've not put an entry in yet, do so quickly as last year it filled up very quickly in December," said Carter.
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, more recently, Yorkshireman Chris Wise took the honours in his MG Metro 6R4 in 2007 and 2008 but for the last two years, maverick Cumbrian World Superbike team owner Paul Bird has claimed victory.
Entries close on January 4th 2011 so prospective competitors should submit their entry forms as a matter of urgency as no entries are reserved, it is strictly 'first-come-first-served'.
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 £195 and competitors are advised to enter early to avoid disappointment. In a bid to help competitors financially, once again no cheques will be banked before 31st December 2010.
Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally Regs Available
Posted: November 12, 2010 11:21 AM
For the third consecutive year, local specialist motorsport PR company, Cartersport, have once again teamed up with Darlington and District Motor Club for the Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally which will take place at Croft Circuit on Sunday 16th January 2011.
The event will again comprise up to eight stages totalling around 36 stage miles on the ribbon-smooth tarmac of the North East's only permanent racetrack and will be a qualifying round of The North of England Rally Championship 2011, SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2011, Borders Stage Rally Championship 2011, ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2011 and Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship 2011.
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, more recently, Yorkshireman Chris Wise took the honours in his MG Metro 6R4 in 2007 and 2008 but for the two last years, maverick Cumbrian World Superbike team owner Paul Bird has claimed victory, firstly in his Subaru WRC S9 before bringing his World Championship-specification Ford Focus WRC to Croft for the 2010 event.
In addition to providing many broadcasting and journalism services within the motorsport industry, Northallerton-based Cartersport look after the PR and publicity work for a number of top teams and competitors, including Croft Circuit, meaning the association is once again mutually beneficial.
"We're delighted to be able to support both Croft Circuit and Darlington and District Motor Club for a third successive year. The Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally always gets the New Year off to a great start and whatever the weather throws at us, it's a fantastic event. There'll be a quality entry and I'd urge as many people to come along and support the rally where I aim to be competing myself as usual," said Managing Director Larry Carter.
Terry Wright of Darlington and District Motor Club commented: "Once more we are pleased to be linked with Cartersport who, like DDMC, always strive to provide the best service for competitors and spectators alike. Hopefully, this year's stage layout will provide an interesting challenge for the competitors and the opportunity for some giant-killing acts. It is some time since a two-wheel drive car won the event outright. Is there anyone up for the challenge?"
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 £195 and the final closing date is 4th January 2011, although competitors are advised to enter early to avoid disappointment. In a bid to help competitors financially, once again no cheques will be banked before 31st December 2010.
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