There is a buoyant air about the build up to the Pirelli International Rally, the Second round of the MSA British Rally Championship, with an early rush of entries from some of the countries top drivers and a number of up and coming young stars, all heading to Carlisle for the two day event which features a dozen fast “Special stages” in the forests of North Cumbria and Kielder.

 

Opening round winners Keith Cronnin/ Greg Shinnors will be heading a strong Mitsubishi challenge, they could be pushed hard by the similar car of Stuart / Jones/ Andy Bull, who finished third on that event.

 

Subaru is a well represented make  with  cars entered for Adam Gould, Fourth on the opening round,  Robert Cathcart, Max Utting and Rob Swan while early Suzuki entries include Luke Pinder, Gordon Nichol, Nick Everard and Richard Sykes.

 

There is plenty of variety amongst the early entries with Martin McCormack bringing one of the new Citroen C2R2 Max cars, Penrith based Kris Hall renewing his Fiesta ST battle with Craig Breen and the Renault Clio of Finns Ranttanan/ Lukka.

 

The Pirelli International Rally runs over the weekend of 17/ 18^th. April and is based at Carlisle Racecourse where there are excellent facilities for spectators to see the cars, take photographs and collect autographs.The venue will be clearly signposted from the M6 motorway, junction 42.