The Pirelli International Rally is about to celebrate a memorable anniversary with the 2012 event marking 21 years of Pirelli's title sponsorship, a unique partnership in the motorsport. world and one which has helped the Carlisle based event cement it's position as one of the country's leading headline rally events and a permanent fixture in the MSA British Rally Championship.

Pirelli's involvement with the organising Cumberland Sporting Car Club does, in fact, date right back to the inception of the rally in 1976, when it started out as a local club event and it was their enthusiastic support that saw the event rise in stature and gain a position in the countries National Rally Championship. They sponsored the event in 1977 with the Pirelli manufacturing plant, situated on the outskirts of Carlisle, turned into a massive "Service Area" while the works canteen was inundated by hungry rally drivers and their mechanics.

The reputation of the Pirelli International Rally has seen it attract a host of top drivers , in 1995 the rally was won by former world champion Ari Vatannen while local hero Malcolm Wilson has won the rally on no fewer than four occasions. As a round of the British Championship, the rally attracts a horde of young up and coming British drivers keen to use it as a stepping stone onto the world rallying scene.

With Pirelli's enthusiastic backing, and extremely professional promotion, the rally attracts hordes of enthusiastic enthusiasts, it has become a "Must See" for thousands of spectators who turn up every year to enjoy the high speed action. The 2012 Pirelli International Rally takes place on 27/ 28th. April , based at Carlisle Racecourse, it will feature the usual high speed stages in the Kielder Forest complex.