Jack Frost Stages - 14 Jan 07

Posted: January 7, 2007 9:48 PM

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07/01/07
BARDY AIMS FOR FOURTH JACK FROST WIN
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