ROMANBY co-driver John Richardson continued his successful 2002 season by guiding local Scottish ace Jock Armstrong to a brilliant runner-up spot on last weekend's Galloway Hills rally based in Castle Douglas.

In their standard Group N Subaru Impreza, the pair finished the 45-mile rally just over a minute down on Irishman Kris Meeke and co-driver Glenn Patterson (Subaru Impreza WRC).

They were just two seconds in front of another Subaru WRC, that of Scotsmen Raymond Munro and Neil Ewing.

While they never headed 2001 winners Meeke and Patterson, Armstrong and Richardson held second place for much of the day. Going into the last of the five stages, they held a seven-second advantage.

Realising they needed an all-out attack to compensate for the lack of power in comparison with the world rally cars, the pair held on despite a couple of worrying moments to emerge with the Group N honours.

A number of other local crews also made the trip north and all managed to record a finish on the ultra-fast event.

Bishop Auckland's Tony Thompson and co-driver Richard Myers enjoyed more success in their Mitsubishi Lancer by recording 11th overall. After a number of seasons out of the sport, Thompson - who did most of his rallying in two-wheel drive cars in the past - continued his transition to the four-wheel drive car by also taking third in class.

Scorton youngster Stephen Petch also made it two class wins in as many events after taking the 1400cc class in his SGP-prepared Ford Ka. The teenager, along with Tow Law co-driver Michael Wilkinson, ended up 46th overall out of more than 70 finishers to clinch the victory over Scots Graham Clark and Ian Morrison in their Vauxhall Corsa.

Petch and Wilkinson also managed to finish ahead of no less than six four-wheel drive cars on the event.

One of those was Redcar's Dave Craven and co-driver Ian Jackson, from Eaglescliffe, who ended up 67th overall in their Northern Site Services Ford Cosworth.

The pair were expected to do well on the event, but a puncture five miles into the opening stage robbed them of any chance of success as they had to stop and change a wheel, losing around five minutes in the process.

Despite the problem, they battled back to claim 12th in class and an all-important finish.

* After guiding 27-year-old Sophie Robinson to third place in the VW Polo Challenge this season, Castleton's Joyce Champion has decided to sit out this weekend's VW Polo European final in Gran Canaria in order to see her son Ryan collect his Ford Puma 1400cc Championship trophy at the Ford Motorsport awards presentation.

Sophie and Joyce had a very successful year in the Polo one-make series against some stiff all-male competition.

After leading the championship for the best part of the season, the pair happily settled for third place behind Clive Wheeler and Roger Andersson.

Sophie, from the Midlands, said: "I'm really sad that Joyce won't be joining me as I think this event will be lots of fun and of course it's been with the help of Joyce that I have gained this amazing opportunity.

"However, being Ryan's girlfriend, I know only too well how much the Champions have been waiting for this moment, so of course I want her to be there to see him pick up his prize of a works drive in a Super1600 Puma for next season's championship".

* As expected, demand for entries on the Specsavers Opticians Christmas Stages Rally has been high, with a number of crews having submitted their applications in good time to ensure they get a run on the festive event.

The Northallerton Auto Club rally is scheduled for Croft circuit on Sunday, December 29 and, according to clerk of the course Ian Jackson, the signs are that there will be another capacity entry for the 40-stage mile event, which comprises rounds of two regional championships.

He said: "We've had around 30 entries submitted within a week of publishing regulations, which is very unusual, so the signs are that we will be able to run a full 70-car field.

"Applications are coming in on a daily basis and, with still over a week to go to closing date, there is the chance that we may have to turn people away".

Competitors still requiring regulations or further information should contact Ian Jackson on 07977 565559. The closing date for entries is Monday, December 16.

l There will be a full complement of 120 cars on tomorrow's annual Grizedale Stages rally, held in the Lake District forest near Windermere.

For the first time in many years, the event organisers have been forced to turn down entries after the 16 reserve places were also filled.

That means a quality field will leave the Coniston start for the 40-stage mile event and former national champions Steve Petch, from Scorton, and John Richardson will be hot favourites for success in their Hyundai Accent WRC after taking victory on the recent De Lacy November rally.

After ending up in a ditch the last time they contested the event two years ago, the pair will be hoping for better luck. But they can expect stiff competition from a number of top local crews who know the forest roads exceptionally well.

Exelby driver Chris Lewis will team up with Tow Law's Mike Wilkinson in his Food Weighouse Mitsubishi, hoping to improve on their seeding of 23, while Consett's Anthony Arnsby and co-driver Chris Purvis have been somewhat unrealistically seeded at 57.

Bishop Auckland's Tony Thompson has to wait to see if he gets a run, being fourth reserve, but if he does make the start in his Mitsubishi he will be partnered by two times Ford Puma champion co-driver Ian Windress, from Northallerton.

Top ten entries. - 1 J Thompson/M Capstick, Ford Escort Cosworth; 2 S Petch/J Richardson, Hyundai Accent WRC; 3 B Crealey/S Harris, Mitsubishi Lancer E4; 4 D Shuttleworth/S Perie, Mitsubishi Lancer E4; 5 P Burton/M Fallows, Ford Escort Mk2; 6 G Robinson/A Marchbank, Mitsubishi Lancer E6; 7 M Glendinning/D Thompson, Subaru Impreza; 8 R Wright/I Allsop, Ford Escort Cosworth; 9 G Thomas/P Harrison, Ford Puma 4x4; 10 D Atkinson/G Fothergill, Ford Escort.

Spectator information. - Stages: 9.35 and 1.05 Low Bowkerstead, near Satterthwaite (MR 336915); 9.55 and 1.25 High Barn, near Hawkshead (MR 342964); 10am and 1.30 High Cross, near Coniston (MR 332986).