Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally 28th Dec 2010

Photos/words by Tony Todd

To answer my own previous question, the weather for the Northallerton AC Specsavers was light rain on thawing slush. The slippery nature of the stages meant that Mat Smith and Martin Johnstone in their Ka not only won their class and took eleventh overall but were fastest on the first stage. They are pictured here giving a guided tour of the circuit to one of the marker cones.

Photo by Tony Todd

There was a titanic battle for overall honours, won by only 23 seconds by Scottish visitors Dale Robertson and Paul McGuire who were the only crew to win 2 stages.

Photo by Tony Todd

Ryan Champion with Jemma Bellingham never gave up in their battle with the Scot.

Photo by Tony Todd

Tony Bardy, partnered this time by local resident Andrew Constantine, drove well to take third place in the faithful Nissan.

Photo by Tony Todd

Winners on the 2 previous occasions, Kevin Procter and Dave Bellerby had to be content with fourth place on this occasion.

Photo by Tony Todd

Des Campbell and Alex Orr were fifth overall and winners of class 2. They should be thanked by all photographers for carrying the Saltire on the bonnet of their Peugeot because as well as the symbolism it also makes an excellent target for autofocus lenses.

Photo by Tony Todd

Sideways as ever on their way to winning class 3 were Nick Cook and Dave Scrimgour.

Photo by Tony Todd

Winners of class four were Paul Swift in the very tidy Escort Mark 2, co-driven by local saloon car racer Dave Cox. Cox pronounced himself very impressed by the skill and smoothness of his driver.

Photo by Tony Todd

The victors expressed their pleasure at the event and thanked all those involved in its organisation and running.

Photo by Tony Todd

Thanks to those unsung heroes . . .

Photo by Tony Todd

must surely be echoed by all those hardy souls who turned out to spectate.