RALLYING should not be blamed for causing the death of a Ryedale mother-of-two, her grief-stricken family have stressed.

Navigator Chris Francis died on Sunday while taking part in the Kall Kwik National Rally in Dalby Forest, Pickering, when a white Subaru Impreza driven by her brother, Jeff McNeil, left the track and hit a tree.

Speaking from their home at Aldmoor Farm, Burythorpe, near Malton, her husband, Ricky, said: "I could never blame rallying for taking Chris away.

"If it hadn't been for rallying we would never have met and enjoyed 20 very special years together."

Chris's sister, Sally Wilson, said: "She was somebody who lived life to the full and gave absolutely everything in what she did. She was always the life and soul of the party.

"She touched everyone with her what-you-see-is-what-you-get forthright attitude."

Lifelong friend Kath McNeil, who is married to Jeff, introduced Chris to Ricky in 1984 and she acted as his replacement navigator. Although Ricky rolled the car over, the pair hit it off and were married three years later.

In 2001, Chris took over the family refrigerated transport business, Francis Brothers Haulage. She renamed it RCF, expanded the company and doubled the fleet.

Chris and Ricky, residents of Ryedale all their lives, had two children, Jess, now 16, and Tomas, now 11.

Sally said: "It was a big juggling match for her with life and work, but she never neglected her children over the business.

"She always had quality time with them, even if it meant she had to stay up until 3am or 4am to finish her work."

Chris was at every sporting event her children played in. She was a regular fixture on the sidelines of the pitch at Malton and Norton RUFC where she watched Tom, who is currently captain of the under-12s.

Coach and family friend David Dolman said: "She will be missed by everybody. She did a huge amount of work for the East Yorkshire tournament last year and raised sponsorship."

Rallying took Chris all over the country and to Ireland. In 1996 Chris and Ricky as a team won their class at the Donegal International Rally.

The family would like to thank Rally Rescue, the marshals, spectators and competitors for all their efforts at the scene of the accident.

"We'd like to give a special thank-you to York Motor Club members Fred Roberts and Richard Armstead who were there for me, Jess, Tom, and my children, Jake and Kass, when we needed them most," said Sally.

Chris's funeral will be held on Monday at East Riding Crematorium, Octon, at 3pm. The family have requested that no mourning clothes be worn.

Updated: 10:42 Wednesday, February 25, 2004