Jack Frost Stages (Croft) - 18 Jan 15

Newby Conquers The Elements To Win Jack Frost Stages

Posted: February 1, 2015 10:46 PM

Winter arrived for the first time at Croft Circuit just in time for Darlington and District Motor Club's annual Autogas 2000 Jack Frost Stages Rally with the unexpected snow but it didn't stop Carnforth driver Arron Newby along with co driver John Cope taking their Subaru to an impressive win, eventually edging out three times victor Chris Wise's MG Metro 6R4 by 17 seconds after a day of drama around the North Yorkshire racetrack.

Ostensibly using the event as a test for the Carnforth-based TEG Sport team's gravel car, SS1 saw dry conditions with a light covering of frost but it was Wise who drew first blood, stopping the clocks 15 seconds faster than Newby as the snow clouds loomed dark overhead.

SS2 was scrapped as the weather worsened and caused a timing anomaly, although it worked against double Manx champion Newby who had stopped the clocks around two minutes quicker than his rivals so lost out as a result.

Undeterred, the Ravenol Oils and VP Fuels/Pirelli-backed TEG Sport Subaru pair hoped to claw back some time on the next stage but by now, driving sleet had replaced the snow as Newby dropped time on SS5 in the slushy conditions but spurred into action, Arron set about reducing the gap and claimed fastest time on SS6 as the rain eased.

Newby took full advantage of a poor stage by Wise by setting fastest time as dusk started to fall and took a 12 second lead into the final test as the snow started once again. Not to be denied, Newby set his third fastest stage time to cement a debut victory at Croft and a 16th career win for the 19 year old.

Arron Newby: "Considering we only came to Croft to test the diffs in the gravel car, to then win the event is an absolute bonus and a mega start to the year. After the snow started to come down heavy on stage two, we had a clean enough run to come out of there two minutes ahead of all the front runners, but as more of the field went through it became a lottery and it was scrapped so I found myself in 38th position. Despite the slush, snow, ice and wet conditions, we managed to not only do the testing we needed, we also tested the new Pirelli winter tyre which worked brilliantly in the horrible conditions. First overall on the first event of the year is fantastic and a massive thanks to John Cope for navigating, he did a superb job and we had a great laugh all day. Thanks to all at TEG Sport for the support in the cold conditions and to all of my sponsors including Pirelli, VP Race Fuels & Ravenol Oils."

Stuart Newby, TEG Sport Team Owner: "Croft was used primarily as a test as we were experimenting with a new diff set up in the gravel car and with John Cope as co driver, his driving experience was vital in giving us feedback. After a steady start and having not driven the car since finishing second on last November's Premier Stages Rally, all was going well when a monumental amount of snow fell for the start of SS2. We fitted the new winter tyres that Pirelli had kindly sorted out for us last minute Friday night and put in a blinding time beating our nearest rivals by over two minutes but by the time all 90 cars had been through it the times were a lottery which resulted in stage maximums being given. A full on attack from that point saw us climb back up before taking the lead towards the end and going on to win."

Results

Posted: February 1, 2015 10:41 PM

1 Arron Newby/John Cope (Subaru Impreza) 53m 14s;
2 Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor-West (MG Metro 6R4), +17s;
3 Peter Stephenson/Ian Windress (MG ZR) +1m 08s;
4 James Gibb/Billy Gower (Subaru Impreza);
5 Barry Lindsay/John Richardson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9);
6 David White/Edward Pikul (Subaru Impreza);
7 Stuart Walker/Julie McGuire (Skoda Fabia);
8 James Sharrock/Stuart Faulds (Ford Escort Mk2);

Jack Frost Stages (Croft) - 18 Jan 15 - RESULTS

Star Names Set For Jack Frost Stages Rally

Posted: January 5, 2015 1:54 PM

With just two weeks to go until Darlington and District Motor Club's annual Autogas 2000 Jack Frost Stages Rally in association with Cartersport at Croft Circuit on Sunday 18th January 2015, the star-studded entry list is virtually full with just a handful of places remaining.

So far, around 80 crews have committed to the event and amongst those entered are a number of top British drivers as well as a very healthy local contingent to do battle over the eight stages totalling around 40 stage miles on the tarmac of the North East's premier race track.

Double Manx Rally champion Arron Newby is bringing his powerful Subaru Impreza over from his Carnforth base and has to be one of the favourites for honours but he'll face stiff competition from the Skoda Fabia WRC of 2014 REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship runner-up and fellow Lancastrian John Stone.

Leading the local bid for honours is three-times winners and event sponsors, Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West who will be again in action in their iconic MG Metro 6R4. Fellow Yorkshireman Peter Smith will also be at the wheel of a 6R4 having finished third at the recent Swift Signs Christmas Stages Rally at Croft.

Teesside businessman Peter Stephenson will once again be in action in his mighty MG ZR whereas Darlington precision driver Paul Swift and Northallerton's Graeme Bell will by vying for two wheel drive honours in their respective Ford Escorts.

A very interesting entry has come from Yorkshire forest rallying legend Steve Bannister who is out to play in his recently rebuilt Ford Escort and also expected to perform well is the Ford Fiesta R5 of Russell Morgan, whose son Adam won a BTCC race last year.

With a couple of other star names still expected to appear on the list before it officially closes on Friday, it's set to be one of the strongest fields in recent years for the popular event.

Incorporating qualifying rounds of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Championship 2015, Fuchs Titan Race ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2015 and the SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2015, the awards for the 2014 SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship will be presented on the Sunday evening at Croft after the prize-giving ceremony for the rally.

Scrutineering and documentation take place the same day as the event from 06:00 with the first car starting at 09.15. There are classes for cars up to 1400cc, up to 1600cc, up to 2000cc, over 2000cc and all four wheel-drive cars as well as pre-1981 classic rally cars. The entry fee is £225 and the final closing date is 9th January 2015.

Entries Received

Posted: December 21, 2014 7:28 PM

Available at:

Darlington & District Motor Club

Jack Frost Stages Rally Regs Available

Posted: December 7, 2014 3:38 PM

Darlington and District Motor Club have once again teamed up with fuel conversion specialists Autogas 2000 as well as specialist motorsport PR company, Cartersport, for the annual Jack Frost Stages Rally which will take place at Croft Circuit on Sunday 18th January 2015.

The event will again comprise up to eight stages totalling around 40 stage miles on the tarmac of the North East's premier race track and will be a qualifying round of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Championship 2015, Fuchs Titan Race ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2015 and the SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2015.

With typically fast and flowing stages, the event usually attracts a capacity entry, including some of the top drivers in the UK. Penrith MotoGP and BSB boss Paul Bird has won the event four times with event sponsor Chris Wise from Thirsk and Scotch Corner preparation expert Tony Bardy having three wins each.

Following the heavy snowfall which fell just prior to the 2013 event and which allowed Wise to take victory, last year saw former National Champions Steve Simpson and Patrick Walsh win the event in their Subaru WRC ahead of Wise with Ben Mellors third in his Proton Millington.

Already, around 20 crews have submitted entries including top North East star Paul Swift, BTRDA rallycross champion Martin Peters and circuit racer Paul Sheard with a varied influx of drivers and cars expected over the next couple of weeks.

Competitors are reminded of a couple of processes regarding the entry procedure which are slightly different to that of Northallerton Automobile Club, which organises the Swift Signs Christmas Stages Rally and which takes place at Croft on Sunday 28th December 2014. Firstly, the maximum entry is 95 and ALL entries are allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis whereby no places are reserved for allocation at organiser's discretion, so all potential entrants are urged to submit entries as soon as possible.

Scrutineering and documentation take place the same day as the event from 06:00 with the first car starting at 09.15. There are classes for cars up to 1400cc, up to 1600cc, up to 2000cc, over 2000cc and all four wheel-drive cars as well as pre-1981 classic rally cars. The entry fee is £225 and the final closing date is 9th January 2015, although competitors are advised to enter early to avoid disappointment. In a bid to help competitors financially, once again no cheques will be banked, or credit card payments taken, before 3rd January 2015 or transactions can be post-dated for that date instead.

Regulations / Details

Posted: December 7, 2014 3:36 PM

Darlington & District Motor Club