Getting into gear for rally (From Gazette & Herald)

Getting into gear for rally

Pickering is preparing for a weekend of high speed motor sport action when the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire event rolls in to the town on Saturday (8th).

This is the seventh and penultimate round of the Kwik-fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, and has around 150 competitors taking part, driving around more than 110 competitive miles of high speed tests around the classic North York Moors forests stages of Dalby, Cropton and Langdale.

The two-day Trackrod Rally Yorkshire runs concurrently with the hugely popular Trackrod Historic Cup (Saturday), the Trackrod National Rally (Saturday), the Trackrod Clubman's Trophy (Sunday) and the Landrover Challenge.

Leeds-based Trackrod Motor Club has the honour of being the first major users of the newly-built Northern Events Arena within the grounds of Pickering Showground.

The start and finish of all events is at Pickering Showground. Central service is also at the showground, which the competitors visit three times during the event. The first car will leave Pickering at approximately 7.15am on Saturday.

Local entries to look out for are: Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley from Whitby in their Ford Puma (Rally Yorkshire - seeded at number 15), Gavin Read/Craig Jenkinson from Malton in their Subaru Impreza (Clubman's Trophy), Steve Magson/Geoff Atkinson from Pickering in their Vauxhall Astra RWD (Clubman's Trophy), Nick Cook/Jake Carlin from Whitby in their Ford Escort (Clubman's Trophy), Alan Richardson/Christopher Roe from Pickering in their Vauxhall Nova (Clubman's Trophy), and Stuart Boyes from Malton in his Ford Escort (Clubman's Trophy).

Mark Huggins, from the Isle of Man, is hotly tipped to take the Championship. He won the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire last year.

Closely behind him is Driffield hopeful Jonny Milner. This year's appearance marks a rare treat for rally fans as the Yorkshireman has been largely absent from the scene owing to financial constraints.

There is also an international flavour to the competition. Vesa Mikkola, son of legendary Finn and former World Champion Hannu Mikkola, has entered.

The 22-year-old student from Helsinki is entered in a Formula 2000 Renault Clio Ragnotti. His illustrious father, Hannu, was the first British Champion of the open era in 1978, driving an Escort RS1800, and went on to become World Rally Champion in 1983 when behind the wheel of the equally famous Audi Quattro.

Information for spectators

Spectators are welcome at the Rally Yorkshire. Trackrod Motor Club ask that you enjoy yourselves and keep yourselves safe. Please comply with requests from officials and marshals - they are there to ensure the safe running of the event.

The start and finish of all events is at Pickering Showground. Central service is also at the Showground which competitors will visit three times.

Spectators without a privilege pass will be able to purchase tickets on entry to the spectator stages at a cost of £10 per person for Forest Pass each day, or £5 per person for Showground Pass each day. Children under 16 have free access to all venues but must be accompanied by an adult.

On the competitive sections, rally cars travel very quickly and we have designated spectator areas to ensure you get a good view in as safe an environment as possible. Remember though - motorsport is dangerous and you are present at your own risk.

Green tape shows the way to the designated areas and red tape and/or red "netlon" fencing defines the limit of spectator areas. Please do not attempt to cross the 'red' line.

Officials and marshals have the authority to request the stage to be stopped if there is any danger to spectators or competitors.

Updated: 15:17 Wednesday, October 05, 2005