THE inaugural challenge match between Stock Hatch and Stock Rod drivers will be just one of the events at Lydden's Winter Rallycross meeting on Saturday.

Former hot-rod champion and current Lydden saloon champion Rod Birley, from West Kingsdown, near Sevenoaks, has arranged a head-to-head between 12 of the best Lydden regulars from the Stock Hatch category and 12 rivals who normally race on short-circuit ovals.

Champion Greg Rose heads the home side, which includes Chris Cake, father and son Derek and Sean Holland, and Tony Scott.

Andy Sturt leads the opposition, all from the Spedeworth promotion, featuring Sophie Bunoz, Joe Smith, John Ridley, from Tunbridge Wells, and 17-year-old James Kent.

A return match will take place at Ipswich Stadium on March 22.

Rose will be determined to defend his title during the opening round of the hotly-contested Stock Hatch national championship when all 40 of his rivals, including Herne Bay's Terry Pollard, will be doing their best to stop him.

In the Supercar category Sittingbourne's Pat Doran will be giving his 700 horsepower Ford RS200 its first outing since he won the national championship and he will be using the event as a shakedown for this year's British Championship.

John Cross (Ford Focus) and Terry Briggs (Audi TT) will be shaking off the winter cobwebs as well.

Doddington's Mike Sellar goes well with his Fiesta, but he will face strong opposition in the Modified category from the respective current and former champions Gordon Rogers and Dave Ward.

If the track is dry Sue Jeffery should shine in her Porsche 911, but otherwise her big, rear-engined beast will struggle against the smaller, more nimble cars.

Kentish drivers in the Minicross events are Tristam Barden (Ashford) and Nigel Blanks (Folkestone), while Bredgar's Edward Morris, 14, makes his debut in the Junior category.

During the meeting, organised by the South Eastern Centre of the British Automobile Racing Club, there will be a minute's silence in memory of Gary Turtell who served as an official at the circuit for more than 25 years until his tragic death last month.

The action starts with practice at 9am, followed by the first heat around 10.30am. Admission is £8 (£6 for senior citizens). Entry is free for accompanied children, paddock and parking.

For further information contact the secretary, Reg Collins on 01689 843830.