Race against time for Burrell (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Race against time for Burrell

3:42pm Friday 1st February 2013 in Sport

DESPITE a storming end to the 2012 season which saw him challenging for a win at the final British Superbike Championship round at Brands Hatch last October, Bishop Auckland ace Barry Burrell has still to sort out a deal for the 2013 season which starts in just two months’ time.

The 27-year-old rider, who backed up a sixth place in the first race with a fifth and then a fourth at that final race meeting to end up 14th in the final standings, thought he had secured a seat in the premier class but due to last minute sponsorship problems, he is still searching for a ride.

“I finished the year strongly with Buildbase BMW and hoped I had done enough to secure a ride for the 2013 season,” said Barry.

“But with a last-minute sponsor problem just after Christmas, I am now back to square one and looking for a seat in British Superbikes.

There are some very good opportunities in BSB and with a good team it would be perfect but I need help to fund it. If I can’t make that happen, then I would like to be on a competitive Superstock 1000 or Supersport bike and carry on where I left off at Brands Hatch.”

Meanwhile, Northumberland team SGR Racing has announced it has signed Scottish youngster Jason Vernon for the 2013 season.

The Morpeth-based team, owned and operated by Steve Kinghorn, will return to the Monster Energy Motostar British Championship this season, part of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship support package. The 15-year-old, from Dumfriesshire, will also be eligible to be included in the Cup championship as well as the main race because he is still under 16.

For Kinghorn, this is the next stage of the SGR Racing story which began when he launched his team at the end of the 2010 season. He has always worked to the philosophy that his team is more than just a racing team, it is also a platform to bring youngsters into the sport and his greatest success to date has been Gateshead’s Chrissie Rouse, who last year was one of the leading lights in the Triumph Triple Championship.

The season starts at Brands Hatch, from April 5 to 7, but sadly for North-East fans, Croft once again doesn’t feature on the BSB calendar.

The annual Monster Energy British Rallycross Championship Night of Champions awards took place last weekend with local competitors receiving their fair share of silverware.

For his brilliant overall victory in the French round of the European Championship last year, where he had to come through from the C final to take a remarkable victory, Leeming’s Kevin Procter won the outstanding achievement award. Ainderby Steeple father-and-son pairing, Johny and Charlie Bean, were also honoured. Charlie, 15, was awarded the best newcomer while Johny, who finished runner-up in the Suzuki Swift Championship, was recognised by winning the family team championship.

Local fans will once again be treated to a spectacular finale to the 2013 season when the final round of the British Rallycross Championship takes place at Croft Circuit on October 19 with the North Yorkshire venue hosting the MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix the following day.

THE 2013 SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship got off to a great start following the recent Autogas 2000 Jack Frost Stages Rally as local competitors scored well despite the snow and ice.

Being steady and consistent paid dividends and highest placed ANECCC contender at the finish was Bedale co-driver Dan Kennedy. Dan was sitting beside the non-registered Joe Cunningham from Aiskew and the pair were setting top ten times all day as they eventually finished fifth overall and first in class.

Second highest ANECCC points scorers were Cumbrian brothers Barry and Michael Lindsay, who after a day long battle with Mickleton’s Alistair Hutchinson and Barnard Castle co-driver St John Dykes, set a superb time in their Peugeot 106 on the last stage to finish 13 seconds ahead of the Renault Clio pair.