INGLEBY BARWICK driver Martin Peters emerged victorious in a frantic Production class A final as he headed home a titanic battle at the penultimate round of the BTRDA Rallycross Championship at Croft Circuit last Sunday.

In front of a bumper crowd enjoying the very mild conditions and driving the 1600cc Citroen Saxo, Peters clinched victory ahead of Welshman Jeff Hope-Davies with Chop Gate driver John Gaskin taking third in his Citroen in his first meeting of the year. Behind the podium trio, it was just as intense with Stokesley driver Ian Horn making a welcome return to the sport claiming fifth in his Vauxhall Nova, just ahead of series leader Chris Harper from Aycliffe (Citroen Saxo) and Maunby’s Colin Ramsey’s Peugeot 205.

In an equally thrilling Super Modified class, it was Barnard Castle driver Brian Jukes who scored the best result with eighth in the A final after winning the B final in his diesel-powered Audi TT. Northallerton’s Guy Corner had a good run in his 2000cc Peugeot 206 only for it to expire in the A final but he still maintains his championship challenge.

Northallerton 1600cc drivers Larry Carter (Peugeot 206) and Darren Grimston (Suzuki Swift) emerged from the Super Modified B final in third and sixth places respectively with Teessider Andy Hawkes claiming fifth in his Suzuki Swift for good measure.

The Supercar final proved to be a solo high-speed demonstration run for Leeming driver Kevin Procter who was there testing his new Ford Fiesta but ruled himself out of the results despite taking a comprehensive victory. Local hopes of success for the returning Mark Watson were scuppered when his Citroen Xsara ground to a halt with broken steering within sight of the chequered flag.

Ripon brothers Kris and Keifer Hudson took the first two places in the BMW Mini class with Ferryhill driver David Bell claiming fifth after breaking a wheel. Teesside driver Ashley Walton retired his 1600cc Citroen C2 after the heats. The final round of the various championships takes place at Blyton Park in Lincolnshire next weekend.

THE Northallerton duo of Graeme Bell and co driver Russ Radford ventured to Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire last weekend and came away with a stunning victory on the NHMC Cadwell Park Stages Rally by 20 seconds.

Driving the 2.5-litre Ford Escort Mk2, the pair gradually climbed the leaderboard and took over at the front on SS6 whereby they held their advantage into darkness to claim a popular victory.

Also in action was the LPG-powered Renault Clio of Mickleton garage proprietor Alistair Hutchinson and co-driver Andrew Hutchinson who claimed sixth overall with regular competitor Giles Dykes from Barnard Castle making his debut as a driver. Along with co-driver Mark Tallentyre, the pair finished 36th overall but took a class win in their Toyota Yaris. Sadly for Teesside businessman Peter Stephenson and Durham co driver Josh Davison, they retired their S2000-specification MG after six stages.

HAVING clinched his second BTRDA Silver Star Championship in as many years recently in his Ford Escort Mk2, Ripon driver Matthew Robinson has stepped up to the four wheel drive class and last weekend took part in the Wales Rally GB National event which supported Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship.

After a shakedown on the recent Malton Forest Rally, Robinson and York co-driver Kim Baker were hopeful of a good result and despite a few problems, they brought the Ford Fiesta S2000 home in 21st place overall. Sadly for Scottish-based brothers Carl and Rob Tuer, originally from Birkby, they retired their MGZR late in the event with engine failure.