For the third consecutive year, local specialist motorsport PR company, Cartersport, have once again teamed up with Darlington and District Motor Club for the Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally which will take place at Croft Circuit on Sunday 16th January 2011.
The event will again comprise up to eight stages totalling around 36 stage miles on the ribbon-smooth tarmac of the North East’s only permanent racetrack and will be a qualifying round of The North of England Rally Championship 2011, SG Petch/ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2011, Borders Stage Rally Championship 2011, ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2011 and Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship 2011.
The event has gained in popularity over the years and usually attracts a capacity ninety-car entry, including some of the top drivers in the UK. Scotch Corner preparation expert Tony Bardy holds the record of three wins from 2004 to 2006 and prior to that, Scotland’s John Bogie took a double victory in his MG Metro 6R4. However, more recently, Yorkshireman Chris Wise took the honours in his MG Metro 6R4 in 2007 and 2008 but for the two last years, maverick Cumbrian World Superbike team owner Paul Bird has claimed victory, firstly in his Subaru WRC S9 before bringing his World Championship-specification Ford Focus WRC to Croft for the 2010 event.
In addition to providing many broadcasting and journalism services within the motorsport industry, Northallerton-based Cartersport look after the PR and publicity work for a number of top teams and competitors, including Croft Circuit, meaning the association is once again mutually beneficial.
“We’re delighted to be able to support both Croft Circuit and Darlington and District Motor Club for a third successive year. The Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally always gets the New Year off to a great start and whatever the weather throws at us, it’s a fantastic event. There’ll be a quality entry and I’d urge as many people to come along and support the rally where I aim to be competing myself as usual,” said Managing Director Larry Carter.
Terry Wright of Darlington and District Motor Club commented: “Once more we are pleased to be linked with Cartersport who, like DDMC, always strive to provide the best service for competitors and spectators alike. Hopefully, this year’s stage layout will provide an interesting challenge for the competitors and the opportunity for some giant-killing acts. It is some time since a two-wheel drive car won the event outright. Is there anyone up for the challenge?”
Scrutineering and Documentation take place the same day as the event which gets underway with the first car at 09.15 and there are classes for cars up to 1400cc, up to 1600cc, up to 2000cc, up to 2400cc and over 2400cc as well as pre-1976 classic rally cars. The entry fee is £195 and the final closing date is 4th January 2011, although competitors are advised to enter early to avoid disappointment. In a bid to help competitors financially, once again no cheques will be banked before 31st December 2010.
For further information, please contact Terry Wright on 01325 359895 (before 21.00). Regulations and entry forms are now available at www.darlington-motor-club.org.uk
Picture: Paul Bird and co-driver Kirsty Riddick in action on the 2010 Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally, courtesy of Ian Hardy www.ianhardy.net.
