Top rally action set for Pickering (From Gazette & Herald)

Top rally action set for Pickering

2:00pm Wednesday 11th November 2009

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Top class rally action descends on Pickering again this weekend as the town hosts the Roger Albert Clark (RAC) Rally and Kall Kwik Rally.

The four-day RAC event begins at the Ryedale Showground on Friday evening, before venturing out to a stage in Langdale and visiting Oliver’s Mount, Harwood Dale and Langdale again on the Saturday.

It then heads up into the demanding Kielder Forest complex and into Scotland to continue its journey.

Butterwick driver Steve Bannister, winner of the RAC in 2007, is seeded at number two in his Mk2 Ford Escort alongside different co-driver Kevin Rae.

Also taking part in the historic section are Pickering crew Steve Magson and Geoff Atkinson in their Opel Ascona 400, while Pickering co-driver Steve Bielby will be reading the maps for Morton on Swale driver Charlie Taylor in his Mk2 Ford Escort.

They will be hoping to improve on an impressive fourth overall on last year’s rally.

Malton Motor Club (MMC) members Mick Plowman and Nigel Boston will also be competing in their new Mk2 Ford Escort.

In the open category, Pickering driver Kevin Jeffray returns to the stages in his Subaru Impreza along with his co-driver nephew Joe Parsons.

The pair have again converted the car to two-wheel drive to meet the regulations for the event.

There is a chance to see some top drivers and classic historic cars, with former British Rally champion Gwyndaf Evans heading the entry list in his Ford Escort RS1800.

Previous winner Stig Blomqvist is at number three in his Ford Escort RS1800, while former National Champion Steve Perez and British Historic Champion David Stokes are also involved.

In Saturday’s Kall Kwik Rally, Pickering brothers Mat and Darren Smith will be out in their Ford Fiesta ST for only the second time and are seeded at number four.

Castleton navigator Joyce Champion is behind them with Whitby driver Chris Birkbeck in his Opel Kadett GTE, followed by MMC co-driver Neil Colls and Whitby’s Nick Cook in their Mk1 Ford Escort.

MMC crew John Clayton and Plug Pulleyn are at number 12 in their BMW 325i with MMC’s Andrew Frost and Miles Cartwright behind in their Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico.

Dalby’s Richard Boyes and co-driver Jon Robinson are at number 24 in their Peugeot 106.

Last year’s winner Andy Davison and co-driver Mike Curry head the entry list in their BMW 325i.

Spectators are welcome to the Showground on Friday evening to watch the start and two runs of a special stage based at the venue at a cost of £10 per car.

The first competitors are due at 6.37pm and then at 8.12pm for the second run.

It costs £10 to go into Langdale with the first car due through at 7.30pm.

On Saturday, spectators can see action at Oliver’s Mount near Scarborough with the first car due at 9.19am, 9.45am, 1.10pm and 1.36pm. It costs £5 per person.

The first car is due through Langdale at 11.10am and it costs £10 per car. For further information, visit www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org

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