An amateur film made by Michael John Keane recording a motor rally taking place in Middlesbrough. The film is believed to begin in Stockton-on-Tees with rally cars preparing to race and spectators looking at the cars and waiting for the rally start. Cleveland County Council logos are attached to each car alongside their respective number. A woman sends off each of cars at the start by hitting the roof with a rolled-up magazine. The cars make their way to rough or derelict ground in the...

An amateur film made by Michael John Keane recording a motor rally taking place in Middlesbrough. The film is believed to begin in Stockton-on-Tees with rally cars preparing to race and spectators looking at the cars and waiting for the rally start. Cleveland County Council logos are attached to each car alongside their respective number. A woman sends off each of cars at the start by hitting the roof with a rolled-up magazine. The cars make their way to rough or derelict ground in the Newport area of Middlesbrough not far from the Newport Bridge. The cars race around a circuit watched by spectators. Crowds gather in the centre of Stockton area where cars and drivers are made ready for the start of the rally. Many of the cars carry advertising for local businesses, and sponsorship names as well as their rally competition numbers. People of all age groups gather round to get a good look at these familiar family cars heavily modified for racing. Officials gather to send each car off individually along the rally route. Car number one is a Vauxhall, the name of the driver, Margaret Clark appears on the passenger door. An AA [Automobile Association] kiosk stands at the roadside, the only building amongst a sea of cars. A Ford Escort Mark 2, representing, according to lettering on the windscreen, the Whitby and DMC [District Motor Club]. This car has the number 2 on it and is entered by the Meadowfield Garage of Sandsend and advertises ICI petrol. Number 3 is a Ford Escort Mark 1 from Northallerton, number six follows and is another Mark 1 Escort. The official who send the cars on their way carries what appears to be a rolled-up magazine, which she strikes on the roof of the car, signalling that the driver should move off. As it does so the name of the driver ‘John Laley’ can be seen on the driver’s door. Number 7 the next car to start, is a bright red Ford Escort Mark 2, the Cleveland County logo appears above the number as it does for all the entrants. A different view follows from a car park to that of rough ground, not far from the Newport Bridge in Middlesbrough. The cars and drivers are tested on this rough terrain which throws up a lot of dust and is difficult to negotiate. Number 40, a Hillman Avenger slides its way around the tortuous track. Number 7 the red Ford Escort Mark 2 speeds past the camera on a bend then disappears in a cloud of dust along a straight section. Number 48 a green and white Ford Escort speeds past sliding its way along the dust track as it accelerates. Number 49 a Vauxhall hatchback possibly a Vauxhall Chevette is next in view followed by number 17 a Ford Escort Mark 1 which nearly loses control on the bend before the long straight, this car is from the Mayfair Service Station in Sunderland. Representing GNU Autoparts Ltd is number 23 a Ford Escort Mark 2, number 35 a Mark1 Ford Escort is sponsored by the same company. Registration number CTN 489J belongs to number 89 a bright yellow Ford Escort Mark1. The name Derek Campbell appears on the car followed by Yarm 782206. The next car to go past the camera, is number 72 a red and white Ford Escort Mark1. Number 64 is next a Hillman Avenger advertising John Dove, builders’ merchants. In the background the film shows the structure of Middlesbrough’s Newport Bridge in the middle distance. A sloping walkway which leads up to a footpath that crosses the bridge makes a good vantage point for two men to watch the rally. A Mark 2 Ford Escort, number 36 is the next car to pass displaying a logo for ICI petrol as it struggles round a bend. Number 7 a red Ford Escort Mark 2 seen earlier in the film speeds past and a white Hillman Avenger follows. Next in view number 80, a small car possibly a Datsun, which is followed by number 45 a Ford Escort Mark 1 painted in several shades of green. In the background a more recognisable view of the Newport Bridge can be seen. Approaching the camera at speed is another Ford Escort Mark 1, registration number GHS 455K with another plate beneath it which spells out the word, VILLA which is a reference to Villa Garages which appears on the side of the car, as does the drivers name John Howe. The next car is number 62 a Vauxhall or Opel with registration number NVN 535M. Following that is number 85 a Mini, a somewhat under-represented make of car in this rally, with a registration number TTJ 287D. The film moves to a more tranquil scene from the footpath of Newport bridge looking down on the track where the cars have been racing. The track goes past some derelict buildings, but a clear view can be seen of the river Tees and heavy industry along its banks. The film ends as the camera moves round to show more of the derelict land now undisturbed by rally cars.