LOCAL riders were out in force, and some proved to be in top form, when round four of the Auto 66 Clubman's Challenge took place at Elvington Park near York last weekend.

Leading the way with a hat-trick of wins each were Northallerton's Darren Grimston aboard his 250cc Yamaha and Paul Veazey from Middlesbrough riding his Aprilia 125.

In only his first full season of racing, Grimston took his Electrocare Yamaha to fourth place in the opening 400cc junior event, before rattling off three wins in the 175cc and over Grand Prix class.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Veazey continued his recent form with three easy wins in the Formula 125cc event after posting an equally impressive third place in the 125cc GP event.

Emerging with a pair of wins was Darlington's Richard Harrison, who took his Honda to victory in both Formula 500 events. He also scored three runner-up placings in the Sound of Thunder class and to round off a good day he scored a best result of tenth place in the highly competitive Formula 600 race aboard the Dobson Yamaha.

Busiest man of the day was Rob Brown from Barnard Castle, who competed in no less than nine events. Riding his R6 Yamaha, Brown scored a best result of sixth in the Formula Clubman's Challenge and managed a pair of second places in the novice championship races before taking a brace of fourths in the Formula 600 events.

Yarm rider Neil Bainbridge managed three third places on his Honda in the 125cc GP event, while Spennymoor's Gary Burrell recorded a third and a fourth aboard his Honda in the Open 600 races.

Dave Etherington from Saltburn took his RGV 250cc Suzuki to third in the Formula 400 event before a pair of fourths and a second increased his trophy haul in the Formula 500 events.

Ripon's Jonathan Atkinson had a best result of fifth in the Open 600cc race aboard his Suzuki and also managed a seventh and ninth in the novice championship race, while the Richmond sidecar pairing of Steve Phillips and Mick Burno recorded a third and a string of fourth places aboard their Shellbourne Yamaha outfit.

The next Auto 66 Club Championship meeting is at Carnaby Two, near Beverley, this weekend.

l Darlington road racer Mark Burr recorded his best ever Superbike result when he finished a fighting third in the MCN Superbike Open at Mallory Park last Sunday.

Riding the Hawk Racing 750cc Kawasaki, the 20-year-old was only beaten by Superbike works riders Michael Rutter aboard the factory Kawasaki and Paul Brown riding the Dienza Ducati.

But despite the power disadvantage, Burr - whose team is also sponsored by Mallory Park - rode a calculated race to claim the last podium spot and set himself up for this weekend's British Championship Superbike races at Brands Hatch in Kent.

Other locals set for a return to action after a five-week break include Russ Hodgson from Hutton Rudby, who will look to continue his good form on his Tillston's 125cc Honda, and Ingleby Barwick's David Gatenby, who will hope to have cured his 250cc Joe Joe's Honda of the problems encountered last time out.

But Guisborough rider Dennis Hobbs is facing a race against time to be fit enough to race the SMR Honda in the Supersport event, having broken his hand at the recent World Superbike meeting. The teenager expects to race, but will make a decision today during untimed practice.