THE name of Constantine is already very well known in local rallying circles thanks to the success of BTRDA competitors Mark and Andrew in recent seasons.

But now another member of the Richmond family is getting in on the act. Elder sister Nicky has recently gained her competition licence in readiness for the Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally, to be held at Croft circuit near Darlington next Sunday, December 29.

Nicky, who now lives in Catterick Village, has enlisted the services of her friend Victoria Cartwright, from Darlington, as co-driver and the pair will be one of three all-female crews among the 80 starters in the Northallerton Auto Club-organised event.

Both women have actively supported motor sport over the years, not only helping Mark and Andrew to runners-up spot in the BTRDA 1400cc Championship this year, but also in the roles of marshalling and helping with rally administration while also competing in navigational events.

The car they will use, a 1600cc Ford Escort, is owned and prepared by Victoria's husband, Ian Cartwright of CS Automotive in Darlington. They have secured the backing of Ariston Pizza of Catterick Village to contest the event.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge after supporting my brothers throughout the year and I thought it was time they came and gave me a hand!

"I'm hoping we can have a good, clean run without any problems and get a safe finish," said Nicky, a private care assistant who has been a member of Northallerton AC for 11 years and recently completed a BARS course at the Chris Birkbeck rally school at Brotton to obtain her licence.

Victoria, a legal secretary and a NAC member for eight years, is also eagerly awaiting the festive event.

She said: "My job is usually to sign on competitors on the event, but the opportunity to actually contest the rally was too good to miss. I'm hoping the weather is fine as it will be tough enough without any ice or snow".

For the second successive year, the traditional rally has been over-subscribed, with many top drivers and exotic cars scheduled to contest the event.

A full preview, entry list and stage times of the rally and the preceding day's British Supermoto Championship, also at Croft, will appear next week.

No sooner will the dust have settled from the Christmas Stages event at Croft than Darlington and District Motor Club take over the reins for their Jack Frost Stages Rally on Saturday, January 19.

Entries cost just £140 and are rapidly being snapped up for the 40-mile event which comprises rounds of the North of England Rally Championship and the ANCC Stage Rally Championship.

Potential competitors are urged, if they have not already done so, to secure a copy of regulations from secretary Terry Wright on 01325 359895 and to submit their entry as soon as possible.

l To celebrate the tenth year of sponsorship by Kall Kwik, the 2003 De Lacy MC-organised rally scheduled for February 16 will have a significantly longer route.

The event will take on a different look to previous years, while still including the traditional Yorkshire stages in Dalby and Staindale.

The ANCRO Clubmans rally championship will use the event to open their 2003 campaign and a full entry is expected for the rally, which will once again be based at Pickering