Teesdale rally driver races to second title

AFTER a busy season in his Northern Energy sponsored Renault Clio, Eggleston’s Alistair Hutchinson  has claimed a second regional rally championship.
The focus of the year was the North of England Tarmac championship which Alistair claimed after a vital final round battle on the roads of Otterburn.
However, after claiming that title, it became clear that he had worked himself into a position to win the Association of Northern Car Clubs’  (ANCC) overall championship.
The final round of the ANCC championship was at Blyton Circuit on November 26.
Conditions were dry but cold and foggy.
To claim the title Alistair and son Joe, who was navigating, needed to achieve a strong class finish.
The pair went flat out from the first stage and the pace would prove strong with the pair holding fifth overall and first in class.
Colin Butler, from Cleatlam, in a D Ward Automotive sponsored Renault Clio, navigated by Andrew Hutchinson, from Evenwood, improved throughout the day as he familiarised himself with the venue. With improved confidence he finished the event 62nd.
Meanhwhile, Alistair and Joe continued to push on, however, a spin and a trip into the neighbouring field prevented the pair fighting for the podium finishes against stronger competition.
But fifth overall and first in class clinched Alistair the ANCC overall championship rounding off a perfect year for the team.
Mr Hutchinson’s MSS Rally team would like to thank Northern Energy, D Ward Automotive and Morris Oil lubricants for their support.