Malton Motor Club will host the first running of the MEM Rolltek Malton Forest Rally on Sunday, December 14.

With 45 stage miles on offer in the classic North Yorkshire stages of Cropton and Gale Rigg, along with three spectator-special stages at the Pickering Showground, a compact route has been designed for the event.

Only 50 road miles will be included in what will be an action-packed day for competitors.

Centralised servicing at the Pickering Showground will also keep service movement down to a minimum, as the Malton club prepares for its first attempt at running a full multi-venue stage rally.

Leading the club into its new challenge is former Jersey Rally clerk of the course, Dave McKinlay, who said: "We've successfully organised the Dalby gravel sprint in the last couple of years, attracting quality local drivers such as the British Rally Champion Jonny Milner, event sponsor Chris Mellors, and the likes of Steve Petch, Ryan Champion and Chris Moore.

"Now we've taken that one step further by organising a multi-venue event, using quality forests and with a very healthy stage mileage on offer at 45 miles.

"Although it's the club's first attempt at running a major multi-venue rally, I have every confidence in the range of experience we have within our organisation.

"An icy December morning in Cropton is sure to be a challenge that many a local and not so local driver will want to meet so we fully expect the event to be well supported."

Backing from the event comes from global car preparation experts Mellors Elliott Motorsport (MEM) and Rolltek, who have both supported Malton's previous gravel sprint events.

More details on the event can be found on the Malton MC website at www.maltonmc.co.uk

Updated: 11:05 Thursday, August 07, 2003