Using the SG Petch Motorsport run Hyundai Accent World Rally Car that son Stephen normally campaigns, Steve and co-driver John Richardson used the opening run around the Pickering Showgrounds to dust off the cobwebs. They then went third fastest through the opening runs of both Cropton and Gale Rigg and returned to Pickering for the first service lying fourth overall. The afternoon saw Steve raising his game and on the second run through Gale Rigg he was a mere one second off the pace of Tony Thompson, the eventual rally winner. This increase in speed saw Steve and Ian move up the leaderboard and the pair returned to Pickering in second position overall.

“Once again a big well done to the whole organising committee of the Malton Forest Stages, the event ran faultlessly and despite the atrocious weather a good time was had by all. We had a lot of fun out there, even if the weather made it interesting at times.” said Steve

At present SG Petch Motorsport has no confirmed plans for the rest of 2008 but a run for Stephen Petch Junior on the Grizedale Stages is likely.

Steve was a regular at the head of the field in the late 1990’s and earlier in the ‘noughties’ but hung up his helmet and went into semi retirement two years ago. Since then the Durham based businessman has returned to action for the occasional blast and more often than not still runs near the top of the leaderboard thanks to his rapid pace.

The last time Steve Petch Senior competed in a rally was two months ago on the Trackrod National Rally where he was trading times with son Stephen until the transmission broke near the end of the event. Steve will again use the very same Mitsubishi Evo 9 on this weekends Malton Forest Stages and will be hoping for a more successful run.

“We’re just going out for a bit of fun. I’m definitely not thinking of making a full time return to rallying, but there are some forests that I still love competing in, and Dalby is certainly one of them. We’re not worried about our pace, just as long as we have smiles on our faces at the end of the day.” said Steve.

The rally begins from Pickering Showgrounds at 8:30am on Sunday 2nd November 2008. A compact route takes the cars through some of the best North Yorkshire forests, Cropton, Gale Rigg and Langdale, before returning to Pickering for the ceremonial finish at around 3pm. The rally also includes three spectator stages in the Pickering Showgrounds making it a great day out for the family.