Rally enthusiasts who remember the glory days when the Lombard RAC Rally made it’s annual visit to Cumbria will be able to wallow in nostalgia this weekend when the Pirelli Historic Rally brings a quality field of some 65 cars from those heady days back to the area, the unique sounds of the likes of Escorts, Porsches, Chevettes and the well loved Ford Cortina will all be heard again as they go head to head on the two day event, the second round of the Dunlop/ Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

 

For a generation of rally lovers, the Ford Escort was “THE” car and their will be no fewer than 41 on show, with Nick Elliott, winner of the opening round, up against a strong field including Welsh farmer Julian Reynolds, previous Pirelli winner Darren Moon, Irishman Seamus O’Connell and 2007 British Champion David Stokes, who was so keen to come to Cumbria that he has borrowed a car after damaging his own on the opening round.

 

Porsche’s are always amongst the leading runners and there will be examples for another former champion, Dessie Nutt, Peter Smith , Tim Mason and Phil Smith, other cars to look out for include the very fast Sunbeam Tiger of Jonathan Gale, Paul Mankin’s Ford Lotus Cortina, the unique sound of Nick Pinkett’s Saab 96 two stroke, the diminutive Singer Chamois of Gary and Jane Eddington, the unusual Ford Capri RS3100 of Jeremy Easson and the Chevettes of Rob Smith and Roger Killty.

 

The Pirelli Historic Rally will leave Carlisle Racecourse at 4:30pm on Friday for two long stages in Kershope and after an overnight halt will attempt a further four stages in Kielder Forest. The survivors will return to the finish ramp at the Racecourse for the traditional champagne spraying celebrations at 11:00 o’clock on Saturday morning. Spectators are very welcome to turn up and join in the fun.