KEPWICK businessman Peter Stephenson roared to his best ever performance when he took a brilliant 25th place overall on last weekend's Network Q Rally of Great Britain based in Cardiff.

Driving the brand new Able UK-sponsored Subaru P6 WRC, Stephenson and Manchester co-driver Allan Whittaker had to overcome a gearbox problem on the opening leg which cost them a road penalty when they had to check out of service late.

Undeterred, the crew battled back up the leaderboard to end up 14th in class A8 - the same one contested by the likes of Richard Burns, who clinched the world championship on the four-day event.

Five places behind Stephenson was Ripon dairyman Charlie Payne who, along with co-driver Ian Allsop from Birmingham, endured a torrid event but still managed 30th overall in their Mitsubishi Lancer.

Payne drove hard all event, which meant visiting the scenery on a couple of occasions, but the Mark Robson-prepared car stood up to the rigours well and the pair claimed 15th in class A8 as Payne bettered his top 50 position in last year's event.

D&S Times columnist Larry Carter, from Northallerton, and driver Paul Bird claimed 40th place overall in their SGP MonsterMob Subaru on their way to 13th in the Group N production class, but it wasn't a good event for team-mates Steve Petch from Scorton and his co-driver John Richardson from Northallerton.

The former national champion's Hyundai Accent WRC suffered technical problems on the final Friday night stage in Brechfa, which resulted in retirement after a promising start.

l With a brimming entry, local crews can expect some stiff opposition when the annual Grizedale Stages Rally gets underway in the Lake District tomorrow.

Shildon driver Barry Johnson has enlisted the services of national champion co-driver John Bennie and will start as one of the favourites for the 45-stage mile event based in Coniston.

The Subaru driver has never had the best of luck in the tricky forest and can expect a challenge from the likes of Exelby's Chris Lewis/Plug Pulleyn (Mitsubishi) and Pickhill driver Matt Yeadon, accompanied by Richard Shores from Boltby in their Ford Cosworth.

Middleham brothers Stuart and John Adamson will be hoping for class honours in their Ford Escort Mk 2, as will Darlington driver Simon Rippon and co-driver Ian Jackson from Eaglescliffe in their Vauxhall Astra.

Cousins Paul and Mark Lawson from Hunton will be out in their re-shelled Ford Escort Cosworth after a heavy roll on last year's Christmas Stages, while the Bishop Auckland team of Trevor Gamble and Gill Cotton contest the event in their Ford Ka.

Ripon driver Tim Pearcey (Ford) and Stokesley's Jonathan Brown (Vauxhall) will also be in action on the event, which starts at 9.30. Spectators can catch the action at High Cross (10.05 and 1.35) and at High Barn (10am and 1.30).

l Big time rallycross heads for the region this weekend when the Rallycross Superprix takes place at Croft Circuit near Darlington.

The event, organised by Darlington and District Motor Club on behalf of Croft Circuit, will be held for the first time on the brand new rallycross track at the North Yorkshire venue, which should make for some exciting action.

Although two major names were confirmed back in August, circumstances have reduced the European involvement. But the organisers have managed to attract every four-wheel drive rallycross car in GB and Eire to the event. Supporting them will be the cream of the two-wheel drive cars and the popular Stockhatch class.

A number of local drivers will be competing, including Britain's only regular European Championship contender Tony Bell from Durham in the Toyota Corolla WRC.

Scotch corner ace Tony Bardy is having a one-off outing in John Maloney's Ford Escort Cosworth and could be in with a chance of outright victory