AGE is no barrier when it comes to rallying it seems as septuagenarians take on teenagers at the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire over the classic North York Moors stages this weekend.

As reported by the Gazette, none other than 1984 world champion Stig Blomqvist is coming over from his home in Sweden to contest the Historic Cup section of the event but, although now 70, the former Saab, Audi and Skoda works driver is nowhere near the oldest competitor taking part.

West Yorkshire's Bob Bean has a few years on double RAC Rally winner Blomqvist and, despite refusing to say exactly how old he is these days, it is known that the Cleckheaton farmer has been rallying for more than 50 years and that he and co-driver ‘Captain’ Thompson’s combined experience in the sport is close to the century mark.

Blomqvist, partnered by African champion co-driver Craig Thorley, who now lives in Spain but hails form York, drives an 1980s Opel Ascona 400, while Bean is at the wheel of a late 1960s Lotus Cortina similar to the one he piloted as a factory driver all those years ago.

But neither is expected to challenge for outright victory.

Favourite for that honour among the Trackrod Historic Cup contestants is 28-year-old Mintex British Historic champion Jason Pritchard, who travels from mid-Wales knowing he needs a good finish to retain his title in an Escort RS1800.

Yet overall the cars from yesteryear are likely to be outpaced by contenders for the national Ravenol BTRDA Championship or even a couple of local stars just doing the event as a one-off.

While the Historic Cup competitors start on Friday with a spectacular 10-mile night stage through Dalby Forest, the more modern section of the entry - running in the concurrent Trackrod Forest Stages Rally - go into action on Saturday morning.

North Yorkshire dairy owner Charlie Payne, last year’s winner, has already sealed the less restricted BTRDA Gold Star Championship in a high-specification Ford Fiesta, while Caernarfon’s Gavin Edwards is strongly fancied to seal the two-wheel drive Silver Star series title in a Mk2 Escort.

The 2006 Trackrod Rally winner Ryan Champion, from Whitby, drives a powerful Mitsubishi Lancer WRC, while perennially bidding to upset the higher seeded drivers is Malton’s Steve Bannister, another veteran, who is the most successful driver in the Trackrod Motor Club of Leeds organised event’s history.

Bannister was outright winner in 1984, '85 and '88 in his trusty Escort Mk2 named Ethel - and remains one of only two drivers to win the Trackrod three times.

‘Banner’ won the Historic Cup last year and has also taken the national status event on more than one occasion in the past.

Spectators are encouraged to watch at two places in Dalby - the Woodyard and Housedale - both accessed and signed from the A169, north of Thornton le Dale.

Full commentary, refreshments and toilets are provided with action taking place on the stage from about 7.30pm to 9.20pm on Friday, and 12.05pm to 2.40pm on Saturday.

Cropton also has a designated spectator area with similar facilities but no commentary. Cars are expected through the stage, accessed from the A170 Helmsley to Pickering road, just north of Wrelton, from about 1.50pm to 4.30pm.

This year the finish takes place, for the first time, in the plush grounds of Scampston Hall, near Rillington off of the A64 York to Scarborough road, with the first car due over the ramp just before 3.20pm.

The 170-plus field is not all purpose built rally cars as it is punctuated by Armed Forces and private Land Rovers.

Other local drivers include York’s Phil Pickard (Subaru Impreza), Malton’s Adam Milner (Ford Mexico Mk1), Driffield’s Peter Smith (Subaru STI), York quartet Warren Philliskirk, Pete Sleights, Nick Carr and Andrew Robinson (all in Escorts), plus Thirsk’s Terry Cree (BMW), Nick Kitching (Escort RS 2000), Amanda Cornforth-Smith (Ford Ka) and Ben Cree (Peugeot 205GTi).