Jack Frost 2013 Entries Revealed

Having won the event for the past four years, Penrith driver Paul Bird heads an impressive entry list for next Sunday’s annual Autogas 2000 Jack Frost Stages Rally supported by Cartersport which takes place at Croft Circuit.

Along with Scottish co-driver Kirsty Riddick, the British Superbike Championship and MotoGP team boss has been unbeaten at the Yorkshire track in recent years and returns in his ex-works Ford Focus WRC to try to add a fifth title on the Darlington and District Motor Club event.

But with some wintry weather forecast, it’s not just the elements that Bird will have to contend with as there is the small matter of a trio of iconic MG Metro 6R4s driven by former double Jack Frost winners and Christmas Stages runner-up Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor-West as well as similar cars of Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt and Simon Chapman/Michael Calvert. Peter Stephenson was looking good at the recent Christmas Stages before retiring so is back to try again for better luck in his Subaru WRC.

All eyes will be on the intense two-wheel drive battle with Croft regulars and former podium finishers Paul Swift/David Cox (Ford Escort) and Chris Anderson/Chris Thirling (Ford Fiesta) hoping to put their bad luck of a couple of weeks ago behind them when both retired with engine problems on the Christmas Stages.

Joining them will be the unusual sight of National Championship front-runners John Stone/Lee Carter in a Peugeot 206 Cup Car as they have decided against driving their usual Skoda Fabia WRC. The Lancastrians will have to go some if they are to beat top 1600 runners Barry and Michael Lindsay (Peugeot 106) but with ice and snow set to play a part, it’s anyone’s guess who comes out on top.

Scotsmen Gary and Gordon Adam complete an interesting top ten in their Ford Escort on the event which will comprise eight stages totalling around 50 stage miles and comprising 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.

A total of 63 cars are entered so far but Darlington and District Motor Club are accepting late entries right up until Friday (18th 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 and Croft Circuit are making plans to ensure as many spectators’ cars as possible are parked on the limited hard standing within the venue.

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 Peter Stephenson/TBA (Subaru WRC)
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)