DARLINGTON precision driver Paul Swift enjoyed another good run to end up fifth overall on last weekend’s Rockingham Stages, a result which gave him the lead in the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship with MSVR.

Swift and Welsh co-driver Patrick Walsh were tackling the two-day event in their Smart IFA and PSI Global-backed Ford Escort Mk2 and, following a podium placing at Cadwell Park a couple of weeks previously, were confident going into the third round of the series.

Having held third place overnight, Sunday’s stages around the motorsport complex near Corby didn’t suit the two-wheel drive Millington-powered car and Swift dropped to fifth place, missing out on fourth by just one second. However, the points were enough to nudge him ahead of nearest rival Ian Woodhouse in the battle for the title.

Woodhouse, from Stokesley, and Hutton Rudby co-driver Paul Rowland were hoping for a repeat of their Cadwell Park victory last month to maintain their series lead. But the pair didn’t enjoy the best of starts in their Skylark Racing and Jimmy Bean-prepared Ford Escort Mk2 and they were placed sixth at the overnight halt.

A spirited fightback during Sunday’s stages saw them cross the finish ramp in sixth overall, 30 seconds behind arch-rival Swift, meaning just three points separate them going into the next event at Brands Hatch next month.

Also continuing their great form were Stokesley pair Mark and John Burton, who followed up their class win at Cadwell Park with second in class at Rockingham on their way to 30th overall, while Hamsterley farmer Dave Coatsworth, co-driven by Tom Bruce, from Newton Aycliffe, won their class and were placed 38th overall in their MG ZR.

There were problems aplenty for the Pickhill co-driving element as Chris Pattison end a traumatic weekend in 60th overall and 13th in class in the MG ZR he was sharing with John Marshall, while Bruce Lindsay and driver Paul Sheard retired their Mazda early on Sunday.

The event was won by Rhys Yates and Tom Woodburn in a Ford Fiesta R5.

DARLINGTON rally driver Peter Ellerby was in action on the recent Grizedale Stages Rally, where he had an adventurous day in his Regent Roofing-backed Morris Mini.

After a full year on tarmac rallies, Ellerby decided to enter the event based in the Lake District, which boasted a full entry of 80 cars. With temperatures hovering around freezing, there was bound to be some icy patches and, on the very first stage, Ellerby and Hartburn co-driver Ian Jackson found a very slippery one going into the flying finish. They slid off into the bank, losing about 15 seconds, but luckily with no damage.

The second stage was a repeat of the first, so the pair approached the finish slowly to find two cars in the ditch where they had been before.

The third stage was delayed due to an accident, but once it got underway Ellerby was starting to enjoy being on gravel again and, at nine miles long, it was a very good stage even with the icy bits.

The pair returned to service with no problems to report before it was back out to SS5, a repeat of SS3 but this time with a faster time. Stage six was the final stage and was seven miles long, with plenty of flowing corners and lots of spectators. Ellerby said it was great fun and they crossed the finish ramp in 41st overall and seventh in class out of the 49 finishers.

Ellerby said afterwards: “That was great fun in the Mini and by the end I was wanting to go back and do some more stages. Thanks to Ian for navigating, Mark and Jack on the tools and Nicky for driving the management car. Thanks also to Chris Birkbeck for the use of his rally school to test the Mini prior to the rally and Regent Roofing in Darlington for their support.”

THE annual Autosport International Show will take place at the NEC, in Birmingham, next month as it celebrates its 27th anniversary between January 12 and 15.

Hailed as Europe's largest indoor pre-season motorsport event, the show is unique in that it encompasses two trade-only days and also two days for the general public. Featuring the very latest in motorsport, automotive and performance engineering technology, alongside cars and exhibitors from every level of motor racing, the show provides the perfect platform for members of the industry to meet, network and do business as well as for enthusiasts to see the fastest cars, biggest stars and most amazing live action.

For further information and ticketing details, visit www.autosportinternational.com.