Advanced Winter Coaching Schedule

Carter Returns to Rallycross at Croft in PGM Swift

Defending BTRDA SuperModified 1600cc Rallycross Champion, Larry Carter, returns to action this weekend at his local Croft Circuit for the final round of the Autosport International BTRDA Rallycross Championship which takes place on Sunday 15^th November. 

Larry Carter interviewing Carl Fogarty

However, the motorsport broadcaster and journalist from Northallerton, North Yorkshire will not be using his trusty Peugeot 206 rally car in which he took the title in his debut season in the sport last year, instead he’ll be at the wheel of a British Championship-specification Peter Gwynne Motorsport Suzuki Swift Sport.

Carter registered for the 2015 series and did the opening round at Blyton in Lincolnshire back in March but since then, his weekend commitments have limited his outings, but with the Croft meeting counting as double points, whilst retaining the 1600cc title is not possible, a top three placing in the final standings is a possibility, although with 23 SuperModified cars entered, including another half dozen competitive 1600cc cars, it’s a tall order.

Rob Pickard in action previously at Croft

The Suzuki Swift Sport is the car used recently by Swift Sport series newcomer Rob Pickard and latterly by Drew Bellerby whereby the teenager won the D Final at the MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix at Croft on her debut in the car last month.

Carter said:         “Watching everyone else having fun whilst I did the commentary at the Croft British Championship meeting made me even more determined to race at the final round of the BTRDA series! I’ve invested a lot of time and money into sorting the 206 this year and it’s not a Rallycross car at the end of the day, so that will just do rallies from now on. But thanks to Peter Gwynne Motorsport, I’ve  been offered the chance to race a competitive Suzuki Swift which I’ve always wanted to do so hopefully we can have a good, clean run to end the season on a high.”

The car will be backed by www.cartersport.com, RWS Bodyworks, Yorkshire Van Lease, Swift Signs and Fuchs Titan Race in the meeting which features a mammoth 80 car entry. 

Practice starts at 9am with the first of three sets of heats getting underway from around 10.15am. Adult admission is just £10 on the gate with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted free. There is free parking and free paddock access also. Croft Circuit is located on the A167 just five miles south of Darlington and for further information, please visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk

Change from Hillclimbs for Hainsworth

Christian Hainsworth with Peter Gwynne

The journey over from Guernsey seems to be worth it for Christian Hainsworth judging by the smile after he sampled one of our Suzuki Swifts.

Quite a difference to his Mondeo currently used for hillclimbs on the island, Christian showed great potential with a nice smooth drive.  Let's hope we see him back behind the wheel of one again soon.

Podium for Alexander on Dukeries Development Drive

Congratulations to PGM instructor Paul Alexander and Co-driver Tom Woodburn on their 1st in class and 3rd overall today in the Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally​ at Donington Park today.

 With tweaks to the car throughout the day in preparation for taking to the Irish lanes in their next outing in Killarney, the pair held a top three position for the majority of the day. 

As the light began to fade, Alexander just wanted to retain his second place behind the storming Proton of David Tinn however, a sudden retirement by Tinn meant the title was there for the taking.  Flicking the lamps on and heading into the darkness it was apparent the speedy couple were struggling with visibility from their spot lights.  Choosing to air on the side of caution on this test outing, Alexander eased off the gas and crossed the flying finish after a clean but somewhat frustrating run.

 Initially aiming for a top ten finish, Alexander was pleased with third overall and more importantly how the 2 litre Mk II Escort performed in this hotly contested event.  Whilst a suspension upgrade will have to stay on the wish list for 2015, an upgrade to the lighting system is planned before heading out to tackle the technical ‘Gortnagane’ night stage on the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Stages Rally – 5th December.

Car	Cls	Crew	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Penalty	Total	Cls Pos	O/A Pos
2	4	Ashley Field/ Ryan Vickers	7:32	6:28	7:55	7:39	6:51	6:43	6:17	6:18		55:43	1	1
20	3	Martin Hodgson/ Tony Jones	6:56	6:27	7:51	7:45	7:01	6:56	6:22	6:34		55:52	1	2
19	3	Paul Alexander/ Tom Woodburn	6:59	6:27	7:53	7:44	7:00	6:51	6:19	6:43		55:56	2	3
8	4	Paul Diamond/ Stephen Cox	7:08	6:32	8:05	8:00	7:05	6:59	6:27	6:40		56:56	2	4
6	4	Graeme Bell/ Russ Radford	7:03	6:36	8:07	7:54	7:15	7:07	6:28	6:40		57:10	3	5
87	5	John Yates / Rhys Yates	7:10	6:35	8:04	8:30	7:11	6:59	6:31	6:36		57:36	1	6
5	3	Julian Jones/ Mikey Herritts	7:13	6:41	8:06	7:56	7:17	7:04	6:34	6:46		57:37	3	7
32	4	Matt Downer/ Marc Gaunt	7:16	6:37	8:10	7:57	7:11	7:05	6:37	6:54		57:47	4	8
9	5	Oliver Hopkins/ Ashley Trimble	7:06	6:43	8:09	8:00	7:19	7:10	6:39	6:51		57:57	2	9
17	4	Andrew Bayliss/ Chris Sharpe-Simkiss	7:17	6:44	8:03	8:03	7:07	7:37	6:30	6:49		58:10	5	10

Durdin Cinches Title at Croft Circuit

We are properly proud of our 'little' junior star Bradley Durdin. With a close run battle all year through in the British Rallycross Championship Swift Juniors with Drew Bellerby, Bradley took the win in the final at Croft Circuit yesterday and all subject to post season scrutiny checks, Bradley takes the title MSA British Rallycross Junior Champion.

Well done Bradley!