Tony Bardy will start at car number one in a bid to retain his title when he heads the capacity field away on the annual Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally at Croft Circuit on Sunday December 30.
With co-driver Reg Smith on the maps, the former British Rallycross champion is also looking to make it three Croft victories on the trot having also taken victory on the Jack Frost Stages in January, but he is keeping whatever car he'll be using a closely guarded secret.
Whatever he turns out in, it will be hard going as Northallerton Auto Club has assembled yet another class entry for the festive event which comprises rounds of the 2006 Walkers/Techo 2 ANECCC Stage Rally Championship and the 2007 Tyrespot North of England Tarmacadam Rally Championships.
Chasing Bardy will be a number of other local crews in the shape of 2006 MSA British Rally Championship runner-up Ryan Champion in a Mitsubishi, Chris Wise in an MG Metro 6R4 and Club champion Dave Craven in another MSR Mitsubishi. Tim Finch should figure well in his Ford Escort Cosworth whereas young Scot David Bogie will be hoping to go one better than dad John and actually win the event in the Oakbank Services MG Metro 6R4.
The ladies are sure to get a look in too with Carol Rosendale sitting with Champion while Tracey Taylor West accompanies Chris Wise and Claire Craven is on the maps for dad Dave meaning three females in the top four cars.
In the two wheel drive class, Keith Davison is favourite in his Darrian T90 but can expect stiff opposition from rallycrosser Dave Bellerby (Ford Escort Mk2) and Nick Cook in a Mk 1 version.
Other local drivers expected to do well on the event include brothers Mark and Andrew Constantine (Vauxhall Corsa), the pairing of David Jones and Paul Swift (Mitsubishi), Bob 'The Log' Dennis (Subaru) and Ian and Neil Colman in their Nissan Sunny GTi-R.
An interesting entry has come in the shape of former tarmac champion Andy Fenwick. who has seconded Tyne Tees Television Sports Presenter Andy Kerr in as co-driver in his Astra Kit Car and the pair will be the subject of a prime-time television feature on
ITV.
Utilising all of the tarmac roads around the popular North East venue, a massive crowd is once again expected as the first of the ninety cars gets underway at 09.15 with the first of eight stages which will run into darkness. Admission costs £8.00 per adult with accompanied children under 15 admitted free and gates open at 8.00am. Entry lists costing 50p are available from the Scout Tent with all proceeds going directly to Northallerton Scouts.
