The second round of the HRCR Clubmans championship sees the return of The North Yorkshire Classic. However, this year it brings with it a new look. Ian Canavan heads the experienced organising team looking to put his spin on this well established event.

Set at the now familiar Hawkhills we have been promised some unfamiliar navigational styles and some entertaining regularities. Although unfamiliar, I am assured that everything will be different, not difficult!

To allay any fears Rally Navigation Training Services (Graeme Raeburn) is running two online navigational webinars that all competitors can pay to take part in, these will include some of the unused navigation presentations as well as general hints and tips for a successful event.

With an entry of 65 historic cars it should be an excellent rally. Last years winners are not entered so car 1 is not a simple decision for the organisers, we eagerly await publication of the seeded entry list.

Whilst we wait however, the unseeded list shows many familiar names, although not all as you’d expect. Leigh Powley & Brian Goff will be looking for another top three finish and will likely deploy their favoured ‘Q Branch’ modification on the Toyota to keep the opposition at bay. Look out for the smoke screen.

The Toyota Corolla of Leigh Powley and Brian G0ff, looking for a win in 2023. Photo by Phill Andrews

I predict they will be fighting it out at the front of the field with John Haygarth/Martyn Taylor, John Dunning/Henry Carr and James Griffiths/James Howell. All are top crews in different makes, models and classes of car, it’s great to see such variety. That said, on the day anything can happen and there are plenty of other quality crews ready to mix it at the top of the time sheets.

Ken and Sarah Binstead started their year with a cracking 4th place on ToC, I’m sure they will hope to maintain that performance in Yorkshire. The same can be said for Jason and Dan Stone who finished fifth in their stunning escort, they will definitely be contenders for the John Ruddock Memorial Trophy!

Angus McQueen and Mike Cochrane unfortunately retired from the ToC, but following their excellent result on HERO’s 3 Legs of Mann they have clearly put that behind them and will be looking to score good points to kick start their championship.

Angus McQueen and Mike Cochrane (BMW 323i) are hoping for a finish after disappointment on the Tour of Cheshire. Photo by Phill Andrews

Gareth Hockridge and Rob Henchoz enjoyed a strong finish on ToC, and also completed the 3 legs of Mann. I’m sure Rob will be looking to put his pepper grinder to good use as Gareth pedals his Volvo Amazon round Yorkshire.

Nigel and Sally Woof will be hoping to repeat their novice class win from the ToC. They too were on on the Isle of Mann continuing to gain further experience and seat time in their golf.

There are many other familiar names that appear in different cars, crews and roles, it will be interesting to see how they all fair.

Philip Wood/Kelvin Phipps are entered in a Porsche 924 instead of the familiar Volvo P1800.

Stephen Owens is in his immaculate Porsche 911 with Oli Waldock alongside this time. Oli was best on regularity here last year, I’m sure he’d love to repeat that.

Iain Tullie will be navigating the familiar mk1 golf that used to be campaigned by Richard Isherwood, but this time in the hands of its current owner Paul O’Kane who has fast been gaining experience having done numerous events in the past 6 months.

Nick Bloxham is trying a different car and driver this time, somehow he’ll be folding his legs up to sit alongside John King in the Toyota MR2, definitely a pair to lookout for! Meanwhile Nick’s navigator from ToC, Emily Anderson will be keeping Peter Higton heading in the right direction in his MGB on this one.

Nicky Staniforth, 2019 winning navigator is trying her hand at driving on an HRCR event for the first time in her Peugeot 205 GT, she has the experienced Nick Pullan guiding her around. Will this be another navigator lost to the driving seat?

Talking of which, in another modern historic Peugeot 205 is me. It’s a rare treat to be in control of the wheels, pedals, and handbrake, handing the Curta over to my wife Lynsey who’ll be telling me where to go. Hopefully that’ll be left, right or straight on and nothing else!

To open the event up to even more modern cars there is also a targa section. This allows more competitors to enjoy a historic road rally, and to give every age of on looker something they can relate too. That said there are some interesting historic cars entered in it also, and lookout for Yorkshire’s TV star Dave Mathewson in an Austin Westminster.

I’m sure all the drivers will be tinkering with their cars making sure they are perfectly prepared for the start, but should there be any issues at scrutineering, Blacker Automotive, Yorkshires newest motorsport preparation company will be on hand to help you out. A great initiative.

It promises that be an excellent day of motorsport with a stunning backdrop, I’m sure the CoC, Ian Canavan can’t wait for it to get started, I certainly can’t!

Ali Procter

All photos by kind permission of Phill Andrews