Rally - Malcolm Wilson Rally

Mike wants more 'seat-tme' ahead of the Border

This weekend’s Malcolm Wilson Rally will have a huge entry when it takes to the Lake District forests on Saturday with over 150 entries at the moment and possibly more to come.

Euan needs more time in the new Focus

Heading the entry list are Steve Perez, Hugh Hunter, Charlie Payne and Paul Bird all in Focus WRCs and Roger Chilman in an Impreza WRC, but there are a few Scottish crews entered with Euan Thorburn and Paul Beaton provisionally entered at number 10 in their Ford Focus WRC right in front of Mike Faulkner and Peter Foy in the Mitsubishi Lancer.

Further down the entry list is Graeme Schoneville and Michael Hendry, but not in the Honda, as they have hired a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer (following an encouraging run out in a similar car on last month’s Knockhill Stages). Allan McDowall and Gavin Heseltine are entered in the Opel Kadett as are Andy Kelly and Stuart Loudon in the Historic Ford Escort MkI. And right away down at the other end of the field are Alex Pirie and David law in their Vauxhall Corsa.

The rally starts from Cockermouth Main Street on Saturday morning at 08.25 hrs with the first stage at Comb at 08.45.

Hobcarton follows at 09.05 and Greystoke at 09.45 hrs. Stage 4 is Grizedale North at 11.50 with Grizedale South at 12.09. A second run at Greystoke 2 is at 14.30 with the final stage in Wythop at 15.20 hrs.

But please note, this being the Lake District, everything is a bit sensitive so parking is very strictly controlled - and so is walking! There are some rare plants in the vicinity so don’t go trekking through the woods. Any adverse publicity could affect the future of rallying in this area. So please be careful – and patient!

Full details are on the website at:

http://www.malcolmwilson.co.uk/spectators2012.html

The intention is to put some news and results up on this Blog during the rally, as ‘Motoring News’ is a bit short-staffed this weekend, so muggins has been pressed into service on their behalf. Instead of an enjoyable day’s spectating, it’s notebook and pencil at the ready.