FAST cars, showers of dirt and thousands of fans - the biggest championship motor rally in Yorkshire returns to the forest after ten years.

The famous stages in Cropton and Dalby forests, near Pickering, will witness high octane sport with the penultimate round of the 2002 Pirelli British Rally Championship next weekend.

Up to 80 cars will tear around the tracks, which last saw top action in 1992 during the Lombard RAC Rally.

Yorkshireman Jonny Milner, from Driffield, will be among the drivers reaching speeds of up to 100mph and - if results go his way - he could clinch the British Championship on home soil.

Hosted by the Forestry Commission and organised by the Trackrod Motor Club, the event will attract thousands of motor fans from across the UK. Drivers from as far afield as Sweden and Finland will be competing next Saturday and Sunday.

Forest District Manager, Andrew Smith, said: "We are thrilled to have top rallying back in our forests. Not only will it be a spectacular occasion, but the event will generate significant business for the local area.

"It also provides us with an extra source of income which will be ploughed back into visitor facilities in the North Riding Forest Park."

Cropton and Dalby Forests will be closed to all but rally spectators on that weekend. Saturday's action takes place between 8.30am and 5.30pm and on Sunday between 11.50am and 2.00pm. Forest car park charges: £10 for both Saturday and Sunday or £5 Sunday only.