CUMBRIAN driver Barry Lindsay will lead the field away at Sunday’s Darlington and District Motor Club-organised 20th anniversary Jack Frost Stages Rally.

The winter highlight of the North-East motorsport calendar, which is sponsored by Cartersport, takes place at Croft Circuit this weekend, and will see Lindsay and co-driver Caroline Lodge aim to defend the title they won 12 months ago in their SGP Motorsport Ford Fiesta S2000.

The Fiesta has been provided by local motor dealer Steve Petch as part of Lindsay’s prize for his triumph in last year’s ANECCC Rally Championship, but there are plenty of crews intent on denying the reigning champion another success on Sunday.

The Northern Echo:

Scotch Corner driver Tony Bardy is a three-time winner of the event and, along with Mickleton co-driver Tony Walker, the pair will attempt to get their names on the winner’s trophy for a fourth time in their Ford Focus WRC.

Thirsk husband and wife team, Chris and Tracey Wise, will be trying to do likewise in their Ford Fiesta 2000, as they return to the Croft stages after a couple of years’ absence, having previously racked up three wins.

However, the pair suffered an engine problem on last week’s Riponian Rally so face a race against time to try to fix it.

Scottish driver Nigel Feeney and co-driver Steve McNulty will be wheeling out their unique John Cooper Works Mini WRC, while Yorkshire’s Peter Smith and co-driver Patrick Walsh plan to return to the Ford Fiesta R5 which Matt Edwards took to victory on the Riponian last weekend.

Darlington precision driver Paul Swift and wife Jessica will be in action in their Ford Escort Mk2, as will Scottish visitors Alan Kirkcaldy/Cameron Fair (Ford Fiesta) and Gordon Morrison/Mark Fisher (Subaru Impreza). Former national champion, John Stone, returns to Croft with son Alex on the notes in their Ford Fiesta WRC.

Local interest is further enhanced with Kepwick businessman Peter Stephenson (Subaru WRC), Alistair Hutchinson from Mickleton (Renault Clio) and Durham trio Pete Gibson (Mitsubishi Evo 6), Ed Todd (GTM Coupe) and the returning Bob Dennis (Subaru) all hoping for a good showing along with Guisborough taxidermist Dave Hornbrook (Mitsubishi), Richmond’s Mark Constantine (Vauxhall Corsa) and Bedale driver Joe Cunningham, who is set to debut his newly-acquired Subaru.

Gates open at 8am, with the first car starting at 8.57. The full entry list can be found at www.darlingtondmc.com. Adult admission costs £9 in advance or £12 on the gate, with accompanied children aged 15 and under free. Free car parking is available, and further information is available from Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or from www.croftcircuit.co.uk.