MORE than 90 cars are expected to be flagged away at the start line when Northallerton Automobile Club stage their annual Christmas Stages Rally on Saturday.

Among the the entries are Steve Magson, of Pickering, driving his Vauxhall Astra; Peter Dickson, of Harrogate, in his Ford Escort; Mick Ridgewell, of Ripon, in a Mini; and Oliver Marshall, of York, who drives a Volkswagen Golf.

The Army ranges around Catterick, which are usually part of the rally, are still out of bounds because of foot and mouth restrictions, so the rally organisers have been forced into running a single-venue event at Croft race circuit near Darlington.

Nonetheless, the event will be a total of 37 miles, over eight stages

The rally, which is sponsored jointly by Autotest Motorsport and Northern Sites Supplies, also features three regional championships including the Motor Sport Travel ANECC, the Kent Cams ANCC Northern Stage Rally and the North of England Tarmac Rally.

The first car away is scheduled to leave at 9.30am.

Peugeot Sport are to enter their two-car team into the York-based round of the British Rally Championship.

Justin Dale and Rory Galligan are expected to spearhead the assault in the 206 Super 1600 car.

The York International, over gravel surfaces, will be the seventh round in the eight round championship and is due to be held from September 27-29.

It is possible that the opening stages of the York event will take place at night. Manufacturers' entries will run at the front of the field.

The championship will keep the classic stages and organising teams, but is now sponsored by Pirelli.

This year's event was cancelled because of foot and mouth restrictions.

Updated: 12:06 Thursday, December 27, 2001