Arctic Weather Can’t Stop Jack Frost Rally

Most outdoor sporting events usually succumb to the elements when frost and heavy snow arrives but not so rallying which will see Sunday’s annual Autogas 2000 Jack Frost Stages Rally supported by Cartersport definitely go ahead at Croft Circuit.

With the arctic conditions which have prevailed this week, coupled with more ice and snow forecast into the weekend, both competitors and spectators have been left wondering if the Darlington and District Motor Club event would go ahead but having consulted with the circuit management at Croft, Secretary of the Meeting Terry Wright advises that the event is most certainly on.

“The message is that the event is definitely running irrespective of what the weather does beforehand. We are constantly monitoring the situation and will have manpower and equipment on hand to clear what we need to in the event of substantial snow or ice and we have spoken to Croft about spectator safety and car parking which was a concern.”

“We have a compact service area which will be treated if necessary and this will allow a high volume of spectators’ cars to park on hard standing. All we would advise is for everyone to take extra care on the paths and bankings around Croft as they will be extremely slippery if icy.”

“As for the competitors, most are relishing the challenge of driving in such conditions, which are not dissimilar to what we have experienced before. It will be very spectacular but we plan a full schedule on the day and assuming everyone drives to the conditions, we’ll have a memorable day. It’s rallying after all and in twelve years of organising the Jack Frost Rally, we have never cancelled one and probably never will!”

Four-times winner Paul Bird from Penrith along with Scottish co-driver Kirsty Riddick head the entry list of around 70 cars in their Ford Focus WRC07 on the event which comprises a qualifying round of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Championship 2013, Fuchs Titan Race ANCC Stage Rally Championship 2013 and the SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2013.

Darlington and District Motor Club are still accepting late entries right up until Saturday (19th January) in a bid to allow as many competitors to compete as possible. For further information, please contact Terry Wright on 01325 359895 (before 21.00), or via email at chair@darlington-motor-club.org.uk. Regulations and entry forms are available at www.darlington-motor-club.org.uk.

Scrutineering and documentation take place on the morning of the event from 06:00 with the first car starting at 09.15. Admission is £10 per adult with children aged 15 and under admitted free and gates open at 8.00am to spectators. Further information at www.croftcircuit.co.uk or by calling 01325 721815.

Top Ten Entries

1 Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick (Ford Focus WRC07)
2 Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor-West (MG Metro 6R4)
3 Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt (MG Metro 6R4)
4 Arron Newby/Gary Tomlinson (Subaru Impreza)
5 Simon Chapman/Michael Calvert (MG Metro 6R4)
6 Paul Swift/David Cox (Ford Escort Mk2)
7 Chris Anderson/Chris Thirling (Ford Fiesta)
8 John Stone/Lee Carter (Peugeot 206)
9 Barry Lindsay/Michael Lindsay (Peugeot 106)
10 Gary Adam/Gordon Adam (Ford Escort Mk2)