Kawasaki World Superbike boss Paul Bird defied the wintry conditions and stiff opposition to win yesterday's Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire but following last week's High Court ruling, it could be the Penrith poultry magnate and his Northallerton co-driver Ian Windress have taken victory at the historic circuit for the very last time.
The Subaru WRC pairing may have won the Darlington & DMC event by 34 seconds ahead of local aces Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West in their MG Metro 6R4, but with the news on Friday that a Judge had awarded three local residents 150,000 as compensation for noise issues, an air of gloom hung over the event.
The three residents, Derek and Julia Watson and their daughter, Jill Wilson, live at Vince Moor East, Dalton-on-Tees, within about 300 metres of the circuit. They have only moved there recently due to a former relative gaining employment at Croft Circuit, who has since left, but in recent years have claimed that excessive noise has inconvenienced them, despite Croft having some of the most stringent noise laws and operating restrictions of any circuit in the country.
The circuit, which first saw race action in 1928, has appealed against the decision and is expected to hear within the next three weeks as to whether they have been successful but if not, not only could it be disastrous for Croft itself, but it would have potentially catastrophic ramifications for British motorsport in general with a precedent being set for local residents to sue their neighbouring race circuit (or any sporting or recreational facility for that matter).
"This can't be allowed to happen and we will do whatever we can in our power to stop these people" said multi-millionaire Bird. "This place was here long before them and if they don't like it, they should move." It is an opinion shared by most people it must be said.
Event sponsor yesterday, Larry Carter, who provides commentary at Croft as well as looking after the circuit's publicity said: "How can it be that people who have only just moved into the area have the right to close down an historic facility which is so vital to the local economy as well as the tens of thousands of motorsport enthusiasts who rely on Croft for their recreation? Let's hope common sense prevails otherwise the UK could become like Switzerland where motorsport is banned."
Darlington and District Motor Club secretary Terry Wright said "The Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally was once again a resounding success and congratulations to Paul Bird and Ian Windress on their victory. Despite the depressing news we heard last week we can assure all competitors that the Jack Frost Stages Rally will be back in 2010 and it is our intention to run the event at Croft Circuit."
Circuit Manager Tracey Morley commented: "Obviously we are very disappointed with the initial decision and are hoping for a Judge to overturn another Judge's decision. Whether that will happen or not is hard to say but the future is very uncertain at the moment."
Bird's victory on the rally was his first in over two years but his third at Croft having won the Christmas Stages Rally back in 2002 and 2003. Wise was hoping for a hat-trick having taken victory in both 2007 and 2008 but the Pickhill driver couldn't match Bird's pace as bright sunshine gave way to biting winds and sleet late in the day.
Top Ten Results
1 Paul Bird/Ian Windress - Subaru WRC - 41.57s
2 Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor-West - MG Metro 6R4 - 42.31s
3 Steven Hogg/Phil Shortt - Subaru Impreza - 43.01s
4 Richard Cook/Edwin Cook - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 44m 12s
5 David Hardie/Michael Baird - Subaru Impreza - 44m 18s
6 John Gaskin/Mark Gaskin - Subaru Impreza - 44m 27s
7 Chris Marshall/Simon Hunter - Mitsubishi Evo 5 - 44m 47s
8 John Deegan/Giles Dykes - Honda Civic - 45m 30s
9 Kev Dunn/Alison Woodcock - Subaru Impreza - 46m 01s
10 Alistair Hutchinson/St John Dykes - Renault Clio - 46m 02s
Class Winners
1 Stephen Crowther/David Batley (Peugeot 205)
2 Chris Platt/Mick Robinson (Vauxhall Tigra)
3 John Deegan/Giles Dykes (Honda Civic)
4 John Stone/Lee Carter (Ford Escort)
5 Chris Wise/Tracey Taylor-West (MG Metro 6R4)
6 John Cockerill/Jim Goodman (Ford Escort)
Further details, pictures and results can be found at www.darlington-motor-club.org.uk and follow the 'Jack Frost' dropdown.
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