Mat finish puts the gloss on rally excellence for Smith (From York Press)

Mat finish puts the gloss on rally excellence for Smith

9:22am Saturday 28th January 2012 in Motorsport

PICKERING driver Mat Smith was a big winner at the Jack Frost Rally in North Yorkshire as he came first in class one.

Malton Motor Club (MMC) member Smith, co-driven by Derek Conforth in their Ford Ka, clocked 57 minutes 22 seconds for the eight stages at Croft racing circuit, to come 13th overall.

MMC mates Jonathan Finch and Andrew Smith also had podium places in their respective classes.

Finch, with Nicholas Finch reading the notes in their BMW 318is, was second in class four, and 31st overall, in 60-59, just four-and-a-half seconds off first in category, while Smith, with Brian Smith navigating, was likewise second in class six and 21st overall, in 59-36, in their Ford Escort RS2000.

Club-mate Jon Trenholme was 28th overall and 12th in class in his Subaru Impreza, while Whitby drivers Ian Stuart Bate and Ian Horn were 17th overall and ninth in class and 47th overall and 12th in class respectively.

The rally was comprehensively won by Paul Bird, co-driven by Kirsty Riddick, in a Ford Focus WRC, in a time of 51-40.