NORTHALLERTON enduro rider Robbie Wallace, back in action last week on the Welsh two-day enduro on board his Motoconnection and Putoline-backed Husqvarna 125, recorded another good finish despite encountering problems.

The event, held at Knighton, consisted of rounds five and six of the British Enduro Championship. The Saturday round featured three, 42-mile laps which included two special tests. The weather was sunny and dry, and the special test fast and flowing, which was to Wallace’s liking.

He got off to a good start and set top five times all day, with no major dramas. After being in the saddle for the best part of seven hours, he finished fifth at the end of the opening day.

Sunday brought similar weather, with only two laps to complete. But this time Wallace was not as consistent with his times, which fluctuated considerably. Although the day went well and the bike was reliable, Wallace could not put his finger on the reason for his varied times.

With a big push at the finish and a quick test time, the teenager finished the day seventh in class.

The result dropped him a place to fifth going into the next British Championship round at Hafren, in Wales, next weekend.

NORTHALLERTON road rally legend Steve Retchless, along with Exelby co-driver John Richardson, was in action on the recent usedcarparts.com Solway Coast Rally, coming away with a creditable top ten finish.

The pair reported no problems apart from an off under the trees on the opening stage. The rest of the day was spent chasing the class leader and, despite catching a car on the stage run at 30-second intervals, their pace in the Ford Escort Mk2 wasn’t quite sufficient, meaning they had to settle for eighth overall and second in class.

DARLINGTON and District Motor Club’s flagship rally event, the Jack Frost Stages, which will be held next year at Croft Circuit on Sunday, January 17, will be a qualifying round of a major new championship.

The Bolton-Le-Moors Car Club (BLMCC) and MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) have teamed up to launch the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship, which will run at circuits across the UK, including Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton, Cadwell Park, Anglesey, Rockingham and Croft.

The inaugural season will kick off at the BLMCC’s Neil Howard Stage Rally and fireworks event at Oulton Park on Saturday, November 7, before a couple of events at Cadwell Park and Rockingham, with Croft hosting the fourth round of the seven-round series.

The series will run under MSVR’s successful banner of championships and series, which includes national and European car racing, and the MCE British Superbike Championship under its two-wheel division. The championship has achieved a major coup by securing leading national motor racing publication Motorsport News as a media partner.

TWO of the greatest motorcycle racers of recent times will visit Northallerton when they take part in a pair of fundraising chat shows organised by the North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters Club.

First up is the amiable American Colin Edwards, who is no stranger to Northallerton, having visited many times over recent years to regale hundreds of fans with his tales of rivalry with the sporting greats. The double World Superbike champion and former MotoGP racer, nicknamed The Texas Tornado, will be at the Golden Lion Hotel's Yorkshire Suite at 7.15pm on Wednesday.

Two weeks later, on Wednesday, September 9, the same venue will be graced by the legendary "Fast" Freddie Spencer.

Recognised as one of the most naturally-talented riders ever, Spencer was a double 500cc world champion in 1983 and 1985. He also won the 250cc world championship in 1985 to become the last rider to win both titles in one season.

The American is a rare visitor to the UK and rarely attends chat shows, so a capacity crowd is expected to enjoy the show at 7.30pm.

On both evenings, there will be the usual bar, raffle and auction, with all proceeds going to help local racers.

Tickets cost £9 for the Edwards night and £12 for the Spencer night (discounts for members). For further information, visit nyrrsc.net.