THE curtain will fall on another action-packed year of motorsport in the North-East and North Yorkshire when Croft Circuit hosts the annual Swift Signs and Shirts Christmas Stages Rally on Sunday, December 15.

The event, which is staged by Northallerton Automobile Club, attracts some of the leading rally drivers in the country, and this year’s renewal has already attracted a capacity field of 90 cars.

Competitors will tackle eight stages of varying routes around the North Yorkshire racetrack, with the action continuing into the dark.

Eight-time winner Kevin Procter once again tops the entry list, and the Scruton driver will be looking to claim another Christmas Stages win in his Ford Fiesta WRC.

He will not have things his own way though, with a host of nationally-acclaimed rivals hoping to wrest his crown.

Former British champions Matt Edwards (Ford Escort) and John Stone (Ford Fiesta WRC) will be joined on the start line by young Cumbrian starlet Frank Bird (Ford Focus WRC).

There will be plenty of local interest, with Hutton Rudby driver Ian Woodhouse lining up in his Ford Escort along with Scotch Corner’s Tony Bardy (Ford Focus WRC) and Darlington stunt driver Paul Swift (Ford Escort).

Durham’s David Henderson, a former race winner, is a confirmed entrant in his Ford Escort, along with Northallerton’s multiple championship winning rallycross racers Dave and Drew Bellerby (BMW Minis).

There will also be additional festive entertainment at this year’s event, with Northallerton Silver Band attending to play a selection of festive music and carols during the lunch interlude.

A special visitor is also scheduled to make an appearance, with Santa and his helpers set to arrive during the day. The Rotary Club of Northallerton Mowbray will be selling raffle tickets to win prizes including a Croft Driving Experience and a Christmas Tree from Croft Christmas Trees, with all proceeds in aid of the local Hospice movement in the area.

Tracey Morley, circuit manager at Croft Circuit, said: “The Swift Signs and Shirts Christmas Stages Rally is always a great event which attracts a good crowd and a brilliant entry, and is very well organised by Northallerton Automobile Club meaning the action on the stages is fantastic.

“This year, we thought we’d try something a little different to keep people entertained during the lunchtime interval whilst the stages are turned around. Hopefully, it will add to the festive feel of the event.”

Gates open at 8am and the first car starts stage one at 9am, with the action continuing throughout the day. Advance tickets for posting until December 11 or collection on the gate are available at £9 per adult. Admission on the day costs £12 for adults, with accompanied children under the age of 15 admitted free.