Motorsport By Tony Brunskill

Last updated 14:52, Tuesday, 23 December 2008

IT was with great sadness that I learned of the death of the Spadeadam Motor Club president, Ray Hancock, who died in the Cumberland Infirmary on December 18.

Ray was a motorsport fan through and through and not only turned up at all events to support but also was a mentor who supported those keen to further their motoring ambitions.

It is even sadder because the Spadeadam MC will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2009 which Ray would have been immensely proud of as he was a member for most of those years.

I am sure that many motorsport friends and enthusiasts will want to attend his funeral service in Carlisle Cathedral on Tuesday, December 30 at 11.30 and I am equally sure all of us would want to pass on our condolences to his family.

I am grateful to Graeme Forrester for passing me details of one of the Wigton Car Club’s successful rally drivers, Brett Mitton, from Thursby, who as enjoyed his best ever season in stage rallying.

Brett has been keeping me informed throughout the season and it is pleasing that he keeps up a family tradition because I was proud to rally with his father Brian who was no mean driver of Porsche 911s during the Golden Years of the Cumberland Sporting Car Club.

Well, son Brett finished 2008 with a first, second and third in three different championships at the wheel of his Vauxhall powered Ford Escort Mk2.

Finishing first in the Association of Northern Car Clubs Tarmac Championship, Brett was second in the Scottish Tarmac Championship and third overall in the Tyrespot North of England Championship.

The upshot is that his ever helpful wife Lynn reckons she will have to organise a new cabinet for the growing collection of trophies!

At the annual meeting held in Carlisle of NESCRO, the North England & Scotland Classic Rally Organisers, it was decided to increase the number of events due to the growing interest and support for classic rallying at a time when the World Rally Championship is suffering problems.

The enthusiasm for grassroots, classic rallying comes from the fact that it is so much cheaper as it allows cars built up to 1991 to enter and which need only minimal safety preparation. What is more, with all-inclusive fees for entry and grub being under £100, it is rallying as it used to be in the 1950s.

The events range from simple multi-venue autotests for beginners to road rallies involving navigation, regularities and timed tests with the emphasis is on the social side, so it’s a great way to have the fun of rallying at minimal cost.

The new 2008 season starts with the Johnson Trophy on January 11 and the Croft Historic February 1.

And speaking of Croft, the popular Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally is on December 28 in which several local drivers usually enter and to which I will be going to support.

Starting at 9am, the 40-mile rally is organised by the Northallerton Automobile Club and uses all parts of the circuit with some stages taking place in the dark, so its tad exciting. Log onto www.northallerton-ac.co.uk

If you are hooked on this single venue rallying at Croft then put in your diary January 18 as the Darlington and District Motor Club are staging the Jack Frost Stages Rally. Details - www.darlington-motor-club.org.uk

May I wish you the happiest of Christmases and a great motorsporting 2009!