Tony Todd is looking forward to . .

The Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally. I shall be on duty once again as official photographer and looking forward to seeing Kevin Procter and Dave Bellerby trying to continue their winning ways.

Will there be ice and snow like last time or will there be lots of dry tarmac and bright sunshine like there was on the media day when the S2000 Proton looked and sounded impressive . .

Ryan Champion looked fast on Tuesday . .

and doubtless there will be other contenders wanting to have their say in the outcome.

And following close behind the Specsavers there is the DDMC’s Cartersport Jack Frost Rally on January 16th. The sponsor, local journalist Larry Carter will be competing

with last year’s winner Paul Bird seeded at number 1

Unlike last time, there is no cyclo cross the day after the Specsavers, but there is to be a winter series of Saturday cycle races promoted by Velo29 .com . These run from Saturday January 29th through to February 19th.

These will be followed on February 26th by the North East Trophy, an open category handicap race.

Continuing the cycling theme, the ever popular Croft Circuit Cycle Races are planned to begin on Tuesday 12th April and every Tuesday there after for 15 weeks until the 19th July.

The British Superbikes return earlier in the year this time, on May (14th and 15th)

whilst the British Touring cars pay their annual respects in June [18th and 19th].

Completing the ‘Big Three’ is the Nostalgia Weekend in August, (5th to 7th). (http://www.croftmilitary.co.uk/)

Run for the first time last year, the event exceeded everyone’s hopes and expectation. The racing was excellent,

the displays marvellous

and the atmosphere was incomparable.

As well as the annual visitors there are also regular favourites to look forward to such as the Northern Saloon and Sports Car Championship . . .

which can always be relied on to provide entertaining racing.

And just to show it isn’t all about high octane ratings, consider also the engineers of tomorrow having a whale of a time taking part in the greenpower challenge. If this isn’t education in its truest sense I shall burn my cassock.

See you all soon.

Tony