WHALLEY sidecar ace John Holden has moved into second place in the ACU British Formula Two Championship after claiming third and fifth in round three of the series at Knockhill in Scotland.

Holden, with Bruce Moore as passenger, belied his lack of experience at the Fife circuit - he hasn't raced there for 10 years - to qualify on pole position on his Molyneux Yamaha.

"It was a great result for us. It sets us up perfectly for next month's Isle of Man TT races," said Holden.

"I would also like to thank all our sponsors. Without their help it would be impossible to compete."

DAVE Holden has started his defence of the Derby Phoenix title in the best possible way.

Holden and passenger Ben Birchall were in a class of their own in the two-race meeting at Mallory Park, Leicestershire. Despite starting from the the ninth row of the grid, the Blackburn racer blitzed the opposition to claim victory in the first race before repeating the feat in the second eight-lap heat. "It was one of those days when we didn't seem to have any trouble with other competitors," said Holden, who races an Ireson 700 Yamaha.

"Although we were near the back for the opening race, we were at the front after a couple of laps!"

The pair are in action again at this weekend's British Motorcycle Club meeting at Oulton Park.

Four East Lancashire crews are in action this weekend on the Danum road rally. Based in Doncaster, the Danum features 150 miles in South Yorkshire and North Lincolshire, with points for the ANCC, ANECC and Clitheroe DMC road rally championships up for grabs.

Heading the local contingent is Terry Martin and Simon Bentley in their Whitefield Motorists Discount Centre Peugeot 205 GTi, together with Andy Proctor/Jason Crook (Astra GTE), Keith Turner/Andy Winstanley (Volkswagen Golf GTi) and Simon Daley/Paul Sharples in the ex-Martin Ford Fiesta XR2.

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