Penrith rally driver Paul Bird successfully defended his Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally when he took a comfortable win at a mild but damp Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.
Along with Scottish co driver Kirsty Riddick in the supercasino.com and Vent Axia backed Ford Focus WRC08, shod with DMACK tyres, the pair ended the 40 stage mile event well over a minute to the good and in doing so, added to their victories in 2009 and 2010 to match the record of three wins by Tony Bardy on the annual Darlington & District Motor Club-organised event.
Ring rusty after not competing since August, the Kawasaki World Superbike Team boss played himself in on the opening two stages as he battled with the MG Metro 6R4 of double winners Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West but after the Yorkshire pairing retired, it was a case of simply controlling the lead which Bird did to good effect for the total of eight stages as he ran out the winner by one minute and 17 seconds.
"I've not driven the car for five months so I'd forgotten what half the stuff did but as soon as we got into the swing of things, it all started to come together. The car has run faultlessly again and the DMACK tyres were awesome, we had no problems with grip all day despite the slippery conditions. Well done to the organisers, it's a cracking little rally and although a couple of the chicanes were a little too tight, I really enjoyed it and I aim to be back next year to make it four in a row!" said Bird afterwards.
Bird's next outings are scheduled to be the opening two rounds of the BTRDA Championship with the Wyedean and his local Malcolm Wilson Rally in his native Lake District.
Results1, Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick - Ford Focus WRC - 0:34:012, Martyn Tinker/Ann Forster - Lotus Exige - 0:35:183, Paul Swift/David Cox - Ford Escort - 0:35:364, Alex Taylor/Simon Singleton - Subaru Forester - 0:36:155, Stuart Baillie/Dave Cranston - Subaru Impreza - 0:36:156, Simon Moore/Janice Moore - Renault Clio - 0:36:217, Chris Grieve/Paul Makepeace - Peugeot 106 GTi - 0:36:578, Alistair Hutchinson/St John Dykes - Renault Clio - 0:37:209, Dave Conley/Mike Scrimgour - Hillman Avenger - 0:37:3810, Dave Craven/Brian Smith - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 0:37:40
