PEREZ HEADS EAST AFTER RAC ONE-TWO!

Posted: November 21, 2007 2:28 PM

The Chesterfield businessman has entered the Mombasa-based ten day marathon in a Datsun 240Z where he will be co-driven by the experienced Mike Stuart who will double up as on-board mechanic also over the 4500km route which retraces many classic routes throughout Kenya and Tanzania.

It’s the first time that Perez will have competed on the African continent and for Stuart also, it will be a new experience sitting in the co driver’s seat as the pair go in search of success.

And whilst personal success wasn’t the order of the day on last weekend’s RAC Rally for Perez, who went out after SS4 in Dalby with engine failure in his Lancia Stratos, there was cause for celebration as the VK Rally Team with drivers Steve Bannister and Jimmy McRae finishing first and second at the end of the three day event.

Driving their respective VK-backed Ford Escorts, Bannister and co driver Kevin Rae and McRae and co driver Andy Richardson could hardly be separated throughout the event but on the final day, a couple of punctures robbed McRae of challenging Bannister for victory.

"I was very disappointed to retire in the Stratos so early on, that event and the car just don't like each other but the battle between Banner and Jimmy was awesome and the stuff of old RAC classics. To have two VK-sponsored cars first and second was magnificent and it's just a pity we couldn't have made the finish in the Lancia so I'll have to try to put that right in Africa in the Datsun. Both Mike and I are really looking forward to this unique adventure and I'm sure we'll have some tales to tell along the way!"