IN an event that took place literally within sight of his home, Stephen Petch made it two wins in three years on the SG Petch Tour of Hamsterley Rally last Sunday.

Driving the World Championship-specification ex JariMatti Latvala Ford Focus WRC08 and accompanied by Exelby co-driver John Richardson who guided him to victory on the 2011 race, the 30-year-old County Durham driver set a blistering pace from the start and was never headed over the seven stages.

Despite a late scare when he stalled on the final 14-mile stage and dropped 20 seconds, Petch’s winning margin was eventually 24 seconds over former national champion Paul Bird, as he bettered his runner-up placing from 2012.

Last year’s winners, Lancastrian David Wright and local Crook co-driver Michael Wilkinson were hoping to repeat their victory in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 but couldn’t match the pace of Petch. They were holding a safe third place when disaster struck on the very last stage as a throttle problem forced them out and into retirement.

That left the way clear for Teesside businessman Peter Stephenson and his Northallerton co-driver Ian Windress to move up to third and to make it an all Ford Focus WRC podium. The pair endured a trouble-free run over the 42 stage miles of competition which was also the case for Scorton’s Steve Petch and Pocklington co-driver Craig Thorley who claimed a fine fifth in the SGP Motorsport Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. It was all the more sweet for Petch as it was his first finish in 15 months and wherebetter to end his run of bad luck than on his local event which his company sponsored!

Topcliffe driver Tim Pearcey overcame a collision with a metal gate post which damaged the rear of his Willowgreen Homes-sponsored Ford Escort Mk2 to take eighth overall and third in the hugely-competitive RAC Rally series which is effectively the British Championship for historic cars. Leeming Bar’s Charlie Taylor and Pickhill co-driver Mick Johnson were also in action in the same class and finished 22nd overall and 13th in class in their CTMSbacked Ford Escort Mk2.

Durham pairing Tony Arnsby and Phil Cook struggled with problems in their Mitsubishi and could only manage 25th overall and sixth in class but it was better news for Thirlby’s Terry Cree and Boltby co-driver Richard Shores who claimed a class win and 34th overall in their BMW 2002 TI. Ripon brother and sister, Gary and Kirsty Beckwith finished 41st overall and third in class in their modern specification Ford Escort Mk2 with Brompton’s Darren Grimston and Hebburn co-driver Richard Ross bringing their historic Ford Escort Mexico Mk1 home in 42nd and second in class.

John Tillett, from Northallerton, and Dalton co driver Guy Kirby claimed 48th overall and fifth in class in their Bedale Motor Factors sponsored Ford Escort, just ahead of the 1400cc Vauxhall Nova of East Boldon’s Gavin Spencer and Spennymoor co driver Colin Tombs. Stanley’s Graham Gaskell and Consett co-driver Christopher Dodds brought their Vauxhall Nova home in 52nd overall and second in class with Redcar driver Michael Thornton and Guisborough co-driver Dave Scrimgour claiming 59th overall and third in class in their Ford Escort.

John Nicholson, from Durham, crossed the Bishop Auckland town centre finish ramp in 61st place while Winston’s John Bainbridge and Staindrop co-driver Giles Dykes finished a disappointing 63rd after losing five minutes on SS2 in their Subaru. Colin Forster brought his historic Austin Mini home in 65th out of the 66 finishers but bagged a class win for good measure.

The capacity 95 car entry meant that a handful of locals never made it to the finish ramp starting with Guisborough co-driver Mike Scrimgour who saw his and Dave Wallbank’s hopes dashed following a blown engine on SS2 in their Ford Escort. The same stage claimed Colin Payne, from Durham, and Langley Park co-driver Stuart Whitfield in their Subaru, while Saltburn’s Kevin Hullah and Redcar co-driver Chris Harding retired with a stick throttle on their VW Polo.

Eggleton’s Alistair Hutchinson and co driver Steve Walmsley suffered a hefty time penalty which ended their hopes in their Renault Clio the most disappointing retirement was Ripon driver Matthew Robinson who crashed his newly-built Ford Escort Mk2 on the very last stage causing extensive damage on the car’s debut event. Luckily, Robinson and Helperby co-driver Nigel Hutchinson escaped unhurt.