Local motorsport personalities came away with a host of major awards when the Ford Racing presentation evening took place at a star-studded ceremony held in Nottingham recently.

Leading the way was Durham driver David Henderson who along with co-driver Ian Windress from Northallerton were presented with their prizes for winning the Ford Puma 1400cc championship after a season-long battle over eight rallies throughout the country.

The youngsters were presented with the keys for a top-specification works Ford Puma 1600 in which they will contest the British Rally Championship next season along with a sizeable budget to help their bid for success.

Henderson, a former circuit racer who only switched to rallying a couple of years ago, also won the prestigious Colin McRae award sponsored by the former world rally champion in recognition of outstanding talent whilst Windress claimed one of the Nicky Grist awards for his part in co-driving Henderson to outright victory on four events in the series on their way to the title.

Runner up to Henderson in the championship was Guy Wilks from Heighington who just missed out by less than a second after the winner-takes-all Banbury rally last month.

The 20 year old salesman, who formerly competed in motorcycle trials, received his runner up award along with a Ford Puma road car to claim some solace in a year which started badly in February when he was involved in a serious road accident in Sweden which left him with multiple injuries.

A surprise award went the way of SGP Motorsport's Richie Windress from Northallerton who was nominated as preparing the best car in the Ford Ka series for 17-year-old Scorton driver Stephen Petch Junior.

Having been involved in motorsport for many years, Windress not only fettles young Stephen's car, he also prepares the Ford Escort WRC that dad Steve used to win last year's Mintex National championship as well as a pair of Subaru Imprezas for selected customers in their Darlington workshops.

l For the first time in over a decade, Northallerton Auto Club has secured a full entry for the Autotest Motorsport/Northern Site Supplies Christmas Stages Rally which takes place at Croft circuit near Darlington over the festive period.

A late surge has meant the event has reached capacity and a reserve list has been formed for the single-venue rally which is scheduled for next Saturday.

The organisers are still awaiting a decision from Croft as to whether paying spectators will be allowed access and further details will be in next week's D&S Times along with a full preview of the event.