Rally enthusiasts in their hordes turned out last year for the inception of the Pirelli Historic Rally, all eager to witness the sideways action and unmistakeable sounds of classic engines, and fans of the cars from rallyings “Golden Era” will be delighted to learn that a top class entry is building up for this years Carlisle based event which runs over the weekend of 18/ 19^th April with a host of top drivers set to descend on the Cumbrian forests.

The year got off to a bad start for reigning Dunlop / Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Champion , David Stokes when his Escort RS1600 was sidelined on the opening round with electrical problems, however, Wooton’s Master Baker is a great fan of the Kielder stages and will be pulling out all the stops to get some championship points on the board. One man who is no stranger to the event’s stages is Five times British Rally Champion, Jimmie McRae, outright winner of the Shell Oils Cumbria Rally back in 1991,the Lanark man is campaigning a Porsche 911RS in this years series. Also Porsche mounted will be former champions, Steve Smith and Dessie Nutt

There is no end of quality and variety of cars amongst the ever-growing entry list with a vast array of classic names from the British Motor Industry on display. Adrian Seabridge will be driving a Talbot Sunbeam (That’s two classic names ! ), Geoff Taylor a diminutive Hillman Imp Sport, Terry Cree brings his usual Mini Cooper S and James Stait his indecently quick MG Midget, while Vauxhall fans can drool over Roger Kilty’s immaculate Chevette HSR.

The fans will be keen to spot the sleek Lancia Stratos of Steve Perez, the car driven to sixth place on the opening round by former World Rally Champion Bjorn Waldegard. A car with slightly less power is the  SAAB 96 of Clive Alcock while the event is given an International flavour by the appearance of Belgian crew Stefan Stouf/ Joris Erard in a Ford Escort RS1600.