Former British 125cc campaigner Paul Veazey got his 2005 road racing season up and running in fine fashion when he scored a fifth place finish in the opening round of the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Cup at Brands Hatch in Kent last weekend.

Having ridden a 600cc Supersport machine in 2004 without any major success, the young Middlesbrough rider made the transition to the 1000cc Astro Kawasaki and immediately hit form by qualifying in second place on the grid.

But come race day and in front of a record 50,000 crowd enjoying the sunny bank holiday weather, Veazey was caught napping at the start as he was swallowed up by the pack but soon battled his way through the traffic to end up in a very respectable fifth place at the flag, claiming his first championship points in two seasons.

Local superbike hero Dennis Hobbs from Guisborough was having his first outing since undergoing major surgery for a broken neck last summer but sadly couldn't squeeze into the points despite two strong finishes. The Team Nvidia rider followed up a 19th place finish in race one of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship race with a 23rd in race two aboard the Pirelli-shod Yamaha after qualifying on row six of the grid.

Knaresborough's Danny Linfoot proved a sensation by claiming a brilliant seventh place in the 125cc GP race and with it, fourth in the ACU Academy Cup but it wasn't such good news for Darlington racer Richie Harrison who suffered a major crash during qualifying. Harrison fell going into the fast Paddock Hill Bend section and sustained serious pelvic and hip injuries which required him to be airlifted to hospital. Now out of intensive care, the team were hoping to transfer him closer to home during the week to continue his recovery.

* The first round of British Racing Drivers Club Stars of Tomorrow karting championship was held last weekend at Rowrah in Cumbria whereby a total of 40 competitors were in action including Scorton youngster, Max Coates.

Max was drawn on pole position for the very first heat of the championship which was a daunting challenge as many of last year's front runners were lined up behind him. A sterling drive saw him finish in seventh position which constituted a solid start to the season.

Light rain overnight on Saturday and cloudy skies the following morning meant the team had to make a decision regarding the controlled wet tyres and practice laps were used to scrub in the new wet tyres.

Heat two and Max was starting from 23rd position on the grid and all competitors had elected to run on slick tyres as the conditions were now dry but extremely cold. After two laps the rain came down making the track treacherous on the dry weather tyres and whilst these conditions would have normally played into Max's hands, a carburettor problem saw him only manage 17th.

A midfield grid position for the third and final heat saw Max carve his way through the field to finish a creditable eighth which placed him 20th on the grid for the 'A' final. A brilliant drive through the experienced and competitive field, in what were now very slippery conditions, saw Max finish in a creditable 10th overall.

As well as The Stars British Championship, Max will be competing for the second year in the national WTP Cadet series after obtaining sponsorship from Bowood Group who are in the process of redeveloping the St John of God Hospital site in Scorton.

* A year after sustaining a broken leg at the same event, Northallerton rallycross driver Dave Bellerby made amends by romping to victory at the opening round of the 2005 MSA British Rallycross Championship held at Lydden Hill in Kent on Easter Monday.

Driving the Motoscope backed Lotus Elise which he was sharing with Leeming's Kevin Procter, the defending champion took victory in the K&N Performance Filters SuperModified A Final with Hartlepool driver Des Wheatley claiming third in his Rover Metro.

Despite being the only two wheel driver car to qualify for the SuperFinal, Bellerby retired when the exhaust broke on the opening lap forcing him out.

Making it a busy weekend for the Motoscope team, Procter decided to contest the Twyford Woods Stages Rally on his way down south and along with Northallerton co driver Mike Gilby, the pair ended up winning their third rally of the month, this time in their Subaru Impreza.

* Yarm Caterham racer Bill Addison ventured west to Oulton Park in Cheshire for the opening round of the Caterham Roadsport Intermediate Challenge and came away with a pair of fifth place finishes.

Moving up from the Roadsport 'B' series that he contested last year, Addison qualified in eleventh place before improving in both races going into the next round at Knockhill over the weekend of May 21/22.

Sadly for Addison, the series does not visit his local track at Croft this season although there will be action once again this weekend at the North Yorkshire circuit with the visit of the Derby Phoenix MCC for the opening round of their motorcycle racing championships.

The club has attracted a capacity entry for the two day meeting with a host of club regulars set to mix it with a smattering of track specialists in the action which is sure to be fast and furious. All solo classes are represented including the ever-popular 600cc Steel Frame series and Formula 750 class whilst the sidecars will be out in force with both F1 and F2 teams vying for honours.

But the headline race over the weekend will be the opening round of the ACU/FSRA Super F2 Sidecar Championship which sees championship contenders from all over the country heading for Croft in order to see who will draw first blood.

Practice starts on Saturday at 9.30am and 12.00 noon on Sunday with racing immediately afterwards on both days. Adult admission is just £10.00 on both Saturday and Sunday with accompanied children aged 15 years and under admitted FREE. Further information is available from Claire Jones on 01325 721815.

* With the six month period approaching whereby rallying is not permitted in the Yorkshire forests, the final event of the winter takes place tomorrow when the Wold Construction North Humberside Forest Rally roars into life in the region.

Comprising the third round of the popular BTRDA Rally Championship, a capacity field will leave the Hull start at 8.00am before heading for the forests around Pickering for a day of high speed action.