A NUMBER of the region’s finest young drivers made the journey to the Hilton Hotel in Coventry for the MSA British Rallycross Championship Night of Champions last Saturday where they picked up an array of awards.

It was the Northallerton duo Charlie Bean and Drew Bellerby who dominated the MSA Junior Swift Championship in 2014, with Oak Tree Garage and Liberty Cleaning Services-backed Charlie taking the lead in the start of the season before the Fuchs Titan Race and Sayers Tankers-sponsored Suzuki Swift of Bellerby progressed to the top of the table mid-season. It meant it all went down to the final round at Blyton Park in Lincolnshire in November.

With 2014 being Bean’s third and final year in the juniors, he was focused on trying to take the title and looked strong at the technical track while equally hungry for the win and to join sister Paige, the only girl ever to win this prestigious title, 16-year-old Drew got a good start in the final and looked threatening until contact with another competitor ended her chances of the crown for this, her first full season in the sport.

Now working for Olesberg MSE, one of the top teams running in the FIA World Rallycross Championships, 17-year-old Charlie flew back to the UK for the weekend to collect his trophy and claim the MSA Junior Rallycross Champion title.

Stockton-on-Tees junior Jennie Hawkes was also in the silverware at the weekend being awarded Best Newcomer to British Rallycross and the 14-year old took a return journey to the stage in front of the 190-strong audience to collect the Swift Family Cup for her performance along with her Uncle, Andrew Hawkes who contests the Swift Sport Rallycross senior class in their Hawkes Fire-backed cars.

While Bean is currently focused on his career for the immediate future, Drew, Jennie and Andrew are all set to make a return to British Rallycross this year when the championship visits Croft Circuit for the opening round on March 15. To follow their progress in the forthcoming season visit www.swiftrallycross.com.

THE 2015 Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship got off to an incredible start on last weekend’s Red Kite Stages as early ice and snow delivered truly challenging conditions.

Finishing fifth overall and third in class was Ripon driver Matthew Robinson and co-driver Sam Collis who battled their way through the conditions in their Ford Escort Mk2 while York’s Warren Philliskirk and Helperby co-driver Nigel Atkinson claimed 14th overall and fifth in class in their Ford Escort RS1800.

Ripon’s Charlie Payne and Welsh co-driver Carl Williamson saw victory in the Modern event snatched away after initially leading in their Ford Fiesta as they eventually gave way to multiple National Champion Melvyn Evans in his Subaru WRC.

REDCAR Bears speedway team promoter Brian Havelock has assembled a quality team for the forthcoming 2015 season which starts next month at South Tees Motorsport Park.

The Bears have resigned Jan Graversen from Denmark, who raced for the team in 2014 whereby Jan won the Teesside Silver Helmet, which is one of oldest Trophies in Speedway.

Also, resigned is Rafal Konopla from Poland who is now based on Teesside and so too has Hugh Skidmore from Australia, who is currently back home in New South Wales enjoying the sunshine. Hugh was voted Bears Rider of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and will once again operate from his Sheffield base.

Joining the existing members of the team is Lasse Bjerre from Denmark who will wear the number one vest. 21 year old Lasse won the 2010 Under-21 World Cup with the Danish team and has ridden for Kings Lynn, Ipswich, Peterborough, Swindon, Leicester and last year for Wolverhampton.

Stuart Robson is originally from Sunderland and back in 1996 rode for the old Middlesbrough team. Has also ridden for Edinburgh, Coventry, Hull, Rye House and Lakeside and last year he rode for Newcastle, which he has also done on previous seasons.

Matez Kus is from the Czech Republic and previously rode for Redcar but has been on loan to Berwick. Based on his improved points average, he has since been recalled to the Bears team. Richard Hall adds to the local interest being from Northallerton and rode for the Bears in the early part of 2014 before going on to ride for Peterborough.

All the riders will be at the Press and Practice day on Saturday, March 21 which starts at 3pm. This will be followed in the evening with a Meet the Riders chat show in the Bears Bar. The following Thursday is the Bears first home meeting against Workington in the A66 Challenge. The return leg is in Workington on Saturday, March 28.

COMPETITORS, marshals and fans from yesteryear are being sought for an informal Croft Circuit re-union which is will take place at Middlesbrough and District Motor Club on Sunday, March 1, 12 noon until 4pm.

Former bike competitors Grant Sellars and Mike Redfern and well as long-time sponsor Russell Armstrong and car racer Ron Harper are encouraging people who raced, marshalled or officiated at Croft Autodrome (as it was previously known) between 1962 until its closure in 1982 as well as race fans from the era to attend.

Whether it’s on two, three or four wheels, everyone is very welcome and when the inaugural event was held three years ago, around 120 people attended so hopefully the organisers can get a similar if not better turn out this time.

The event takes place at the Clubhouse (Coulby Manor in Coulby Newham) and as well as the normal bar service, light refreshments will be available. Further information is available from Russell Armstrong on 07866 843192.