Rally Show at Chatsworth - 6-7 Jun 09

BREEN STARS AT CHATSWORTH RALLY SHOW AND DEBUTS NEW FIESTA R2!

Posted: June 10, 2009 4:06 PM

Rising Co. Kilkenny rally star, 19 year old Craig Breen, once again produced a winning performance, driving his Fiesta ST to victory in the Fiesta ST Challenge at the Chatsworth Rally Show at the weekend. The Kel-Tech Engineering team, with Kirsty Riddick in the co-driver’s seat, performed in front of thousands of spectators over the two days of this rally show spectacular, and for Craig the Sunday stages provided an opportunity of a dream drive, debuting the new M-Sport developed Fiesta R2 rally car.

The Saturday shoot-out was a knock out competition, and with five of the top six FST UK Fiesta runners entered it was going to be a tough competition over the mixed surfaces of the Chatsworth Estate, on a special stage that was famous in the 80’s on the RAC Rally. Wet weather too made the conditions extra slippery, but Craig and Kirsty in the Dairwood Design Fiesta, immediately set fastest time on the first run, by a full two seconds over just 1.5 miles, and Craig was really enjoying himself. “It was really good fun, the stage was such that you were able to slide the car around, and the car felt good. I was very happy with my first run on the stage and things just improved from there” commented Craig. Indeed he did improve as Fiesta runners Kris Hall, Barry Greer and Mark Donnelly were knocked out of the shootout on the first three stages, and Craig was fastest by an impressive 3 seconds on both stages 2 and 3. The final stage was a repeat of the second test and Craig was up against Matt Edwards, the pressure on not to make a mistake on the estate lanes and scoop the superb prize. But Craig and the Tom Gahan prepared Fiesta ST withstood the pressure once again, and took victory on the stage by 2 seconds, winning him the dream prizes for Sunday. “I really enjoyed the event on Saturday. Despite the weather there was a great atmosphere at Chatsworth and then when we won the shootout it was brilliant firstly to get a passenger run with Mikko Hirvonen in the Focus WRC. That was fantastic but to get the chance then to drive the new Fiesta R2 was even better.”

Indeed the Ford Fiesta R2 rally car is all new and Craig was very impressed with the machine. “The car felt brilliant, very different to the ST Fiesta. After driving the Group N based ST for a while it was great to set into a car with a sequential gearbox, and a high revving 1600cc engine. It really wanted to be driven, and felt like a proper rally car.” Craig is hoping to use the new R2 Fiesta in Ireland this year for the National Junior Championship rounds, which will be an exciting prospect for the spectators at home.

For now his next event in an extremely hectic calendar is a round of the National Junior Championship in Ireland before the Donegal International, a round of the Fiesta Sport Trophy Ireland. It’s an event he is very excited about. “Donegal is just a massive rally. The stages are so fast and flowing in places, and it’s one of the real gems of the Irish rallying year. I can’t wait to start off in Letterkenny, especially as there are a lot of new stages this year.”

The young Kilkenny driver has had a string of excellent results and Craig who learnt his motorsport skills firstly as a top European Kart racer, is trying his utmost to climb the rallying ladder. “I have always loved rallying, and it’s always been my aim to rally. I really want to do it, and I would love to go as far as my abilities will take me. Every event presents a new challenge and the Fiesta Sport Trophy events provide good challenges each time.” After Donegal it’s the over to the forests for the Scottish International before the flat out Manx tarmac for the Rally Isle of Man. With more WRC outings also planned, it’s a serious season for the teenage rally hopeful.

Video Clips

Posted: June 9, 2009 5:22 PM

Breen wins chance to debut Fiesta R2 at Chatsworth Rally Show

Posted: June 8, 2009 9:29 PM

Last weekend saw a unique and exciting event at the Rally Show based at Chatsworth House in Chesterfield. The top five competitors in the UK Fiesta SportTrophy series were all invited to the show with the opportunity to compete in a shootout style competition on the short spectator stage at the show. After each stage the slowest competitor would be eliminated, the event would continue until one competitor was left and they would be crowned the winner. At the end of the day Craig Breen (18) from Waterford came out on top and was given the opportunity to test-drive and debut the new R2 Fiesta at The Rally Show based at Chatsworth House in Chesterfield.

The invited crews, in championship order were, Mark Donnelly (17) from Omagh, Matt Edwards (24) from Cockermouth, Craig Breen, Kris Hall (19) from Appleby and Barry Greer (21) from Carryduff.
Current FST UK championship leader Kyle Orr (19) from Dromore was forced to miss the event after his car was unfortunately not ready in time.

The first run of the stage saw Breen take fastest time stopping the clocks on 1:42.17. Edwards was second quickest with Donnelly third quickest. The first crew to be eliminated was Kris Hall. After a missed split on the stage it meant Hall failed to complete the stage correctly and was the first crew to be eliminated.

Stage two was a repeat of times from the opening stage, Breen fastest, Edwards second fastest and Donnelly third fastest. Greer would be only two seconds slower than Donnelly but this slower time meant he was eliminated.

With only three cars remaining it would be the same results for the third consecutive time, Breen would be quickest with Edwards second. Donnelly would be third fastest but would be eliminated and finish the event 3rd overall.

With one last showdown remaining between Breen and Edwards the shootout was set. Breen would however continue his dominant winning streak by taking the stage win by 2.2 seconds and claiming the first victory in the inaugural Kick Energy Fiesta SportTrophy Shootout. Edwards finished a valiant second after some great driving in the damp conditions.

Breen’s victory saw him rewarded with the chance to drive and debut in the UK the brand new Fiesta R2 rally car. The Fiesta R2 is M-Sport’s first global rally car and is based on the Ford Fiesta Sport model. With the introduction of the Fiesta R2 and soon the Fiesta Super 2000 it will allow competitors to graduate in Ford cars from national level right through to the WRC. The R2 car is the next step on from the hugely successful Fiesta ST and will be available later this year. More information can be found on the R2 website,

www.fiestar2.com

Breen was also given the chance to have a passenger ride in the Ford Focus WRC with current works driver Mikko Hirvonen.

Series sponsor Kick Energy also announced the winner of the third media award for the Fiesta SportTrophy UK series. Stevie Brown (21) from Peterhead gathered some excellent media coverage from the period after the Pirelli International Rally. Stevie receives a free entry to the next round of the FST UK series.

FST Chatsworth Rally Show Shootout winner, Craig Breen said:
“The event was really good fun, it was great to take part in a non-championship scoring event but still have great competition. It was a great PR opportunity and the fight between the crews was as fast as ever with all the spectators commenting on the commitment of the Fiesta crews, the whole event was really worthwhile. Winning the event and getting a drive in the new R2 was a great way to finish off my weekend, the car is brilliant and I can’t wait to get hold of one! I also managed to have a ride with Mikko [Hirvonen], which was a great experience - overall a brilliant two days!

Shootout Results
No. Driver SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 Penalties 31 Craig BREEN 1.42.17 1.45.19 1.39.86 1.44.65
32 Kris HALL 2.07.96 Eliminated - -
33 Mark DONNELLY 1.46.40 1.50.23 1.43.67 Eliminated
34 Barry GREER 1.47.96 1.52.48 Eliminated -
36 Matt EDWARDS 1.44.23 1.48.16 1.42.58 1.46.42

Full Results
Ireland wins Nations Cup

Posted: June 7, 2009 7:38 PM

Full Results & Times - Saturday Events

Full Results & Times - Sunday Events including Nations Cup

North East Rally Services

Rally Show

Mildred the Mini returns

Posted: June 2, 2009 10:02 AM

After a five-year break from motorsport, Mildred the Mini has been re-prepared by the team which brought her to Wales Rally GB, and will be unveiled at the Rally Show at Chatsworth this weekend.

Currently assisting the PR team at Sol Rally Barbados 2009, Neil Burgess will come straight back from the Caribbean and straight to Chatsworth.

“I can't wait to get back behind the wheel,” said Burgess. “The last thing I drove competitively was a bed we made and raced for Scrapheap Challenge in 2007, and the last time we went out to play in Mildred was on the Rockingham Stages at 2004. At Rockingham Mildred was in the same spec and livery as she was in for Rally GB and we've been careful to keep her the same for Chatsworth.”

Burgess is not worried about his lack of time behind the wheel of the famous Mini however, as it all came back to him at a recent test at a secret location in England.

“Quite a few of the team came to the test,” said Burgess. “And it was quite emotional to have everyone back together again with Mildred pelting along at rally speed. It's brought back to me exactly how much fun she is to drive, getting the opportunity to bring her out again at such a prestigious location as Chatsworth will be amazing. I always loved watching the coverage of the RAC at Chatsworth on television when I was younger and that's part of the reason I wanted to compete.”

Burgess will be co-driven by fellow Mini enthusiast Trefor Slatter. As a former Formula 750 driver, Slatter is no stranger to competition, but this will be his first time competing on a rally. The team are supported by Richard Egger Insurance and Northants Subaru.

STIG BLOMQVIST TO DRIVE AUDI QUATTRO S1 E2 AT RALLYDAY

Posted: June 2, 2009 9:24 AM

World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist has confirmed his attendance at Rallyday 2009, which takes place on Saturday 19 September at Castle Combe Circuit, Wiltshire, UK.

Stig won the World Rally Championship in 1984, behind the wheel of the iconic Audi quattro, and contributed to Audi winning their second Manufacturer's title.

The quattro changed the face of rallying through the 1980s and Stig will be driving the final evolution of the mighty vehicle - in the form of the quattro S1 E2 - through the Feature Rally Stage in front of an expected 10,000 rally fans.

The example to be demonstrated is an original ex-works car owned and run by Audi UK. The 500+bhp flame-spitting machine was withdrawn from the World Rally Championship when the Group B category was banned in the late 1980s, so it will be a very rare opportunity for rally enthusiasts to see this spectacular car and driver combination in action again.

Followers of Group B will be pleased to hear that there will be a significant presence from Slowly Sideways at Rallyday this year, with owners driving and displaying their rare ex-works rally cars.

For newcomers to Rallyday, on-track action comes in the form of professional driving demonstrations, track sessions, rally car rides, circuit parades and the feature rally car stage.

Off track, there is a host of displays, where visitors can have a close look at some of the world's most iconic rally cars, which have made rallying history through the years. The paddock is packed full of static displays, plus the main event stage where rallying celebrities are interviewed. There are also numerous trade exhibitors, ranging from major car manufacturers to individual specialists offering a diverse array of rally merchandise.

Rallyday Interactive is where visitors can go further than just spectate. Whether it be a rally simulator, radio-controlled rally car races or a full-on white-knuckle ride in a selection of rally cars, there are many activities for people to participate in.

Rallyday Interactive is where visitors can go further than just spectate. Whether it be a WRC rally simulator, radio-controlled rally cars or a full-on white-knuckle ride in a selection of rally cars, there are many activities for people to participate in.

More Details:

Rally Show

Wilks part of British Team in Proton Satria Neo S2000
Meeke part of Irish Team.

Posted: May 28, 2009 5:43 PM

Guy Wilks, British Rally Champion in 2007 and 2008, will join the British team taking on the Irish and the Germans in the Nations Cup at the Rally Show at Chatsworth on 6/7 June. He will drive the Proton Satria Neo S2000 car prepared and run by Mellors Elliot Motorsport, with which he made such a stunning debut on the Pirelli Rally in April. Also in the British team is Steve Perez, at the wheel of the VK Ford Focus WRC07, and David Kynaston with his 3-litre Audi A3 quattro.

The Irish are represented by Kris Meeke, in his Peugeot UK S2000 207 and the Donnelly brothers, Eugene and Charlie, in a Toyota Corolla WRC and a Skoda Fabia WRC respectively. The Donnellys will be coming to Chatsworth on a high, since Eugene won the Jim Clark International Rally last weekend in the Skoda Fabia WRC.

Coming from Germany, fresh from his win on the latest round of the German Rally Championship, the Sachsen Rally, is Olaf Dobberkau, with his 380bhp Prorallye Team Porsche 911 GT3. This was the first time that a Porsche had won a German Championship rally since Manfred Hero won the 1983 Saarland Rally with a 911 SC.

Dobberkau, whose day job is running his own driving school, dealing with ordinary people seeking licences for high-performance driving on the Nurburgring, wowed the Chatsworth crowds last year with the second fastest time of the weekend in this car and is back by popular request.

Joining him is Heinz-Walter Schewe with a similar, fire-breathing Porsche 911 GT3. Schewe was driving Porsches in the 1970s, when he was a frequent entrant on the RAC Rally; he was German Rally Champion in 1976. As well as his 911 GT3, he is bringing the 911 RSR with which he competes in historic rallies.

The Nations Cup is scheduled to run in two heats on Saturday and Sunday, the best two times from each team counting. It is just one of nine competitive events, plus the VK Fiesta Sporting Trophy knockout - which will keep spectators occupied. In addition, there are demonstrations from, among others, Mikko Hirvonen - now lying second in the 2009 World Rally Championship after his second place behind team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala in Sardinia last weekend - in a Ford Focus WRC and 18 historic rally cars, ranging from 1948 to 1988 in the History of Rallying demonstration. Among then is Steve Magson from Pickering in Yorkshire, driving the Opel Ascona 400 with which he won the Jim Clark Historic Rally last weekend. It will be a busy weekend for him, since with co-driver Geoff Atkinson, Magson will also be competing in the Northern Historic Championship event at Chatsworth.

Just to recap on the other attractions, there will be a rally car display celebrating 30 Years of the World Drivers Championship, organised by "Motorsport News", there is a total of 60 trade stands and exhibitors to wander round, top autotest drivers will show how they perform their magic out on the track, and in the air will be a display from the RAF Hawk aerobatic team. If you feel the need to participate yourself, there is a chance to try your hand in a trials car or at laser clay pigeon shooting.

More Details:

Rally Show

FINN TO FLY AT THE RALLY SHOW - IN A FIESTA ATMOSPHERE

Posted: May 20, 2009 8:47 AM

It was confirmed at the weekend that Mikko Hirvonen will be at the Rally Show at Chatsworth to drive his M-Sport Ford Focus WRC. Hirvonen currently lies third in the FIA World Rally Championship after his cruel, last-minute retirement in Argentina. He is just a single point behind Dani Sordo and will, this coming weekend in Sardinia, be hoping to regain second place and start to chase down the Championship leader, Sebastien Loeb.

Hirvonen's visit to the third edition of the Rally Show at Chatsworth makes him the third of the Flying Finns to visit the Show. It started with the original Flying Finn, Rauno Aaltonen in 2007, then the visit of Marcus Gronholm last year; now Hirvonen is keeping up the tradition. The 28-year-old was born in Jyvaskyla, home to the jewel in the crown of Finnish rallying, Rally Finland - previously known as the 1000 Lakes Rally.

With a father who was already driving rally cars, it was hardly surprising then that he should show some inclination to take up the sport. That was in 1998, with a front-wheel-drive Opel Kadett. Soon the whole family - his cousin and his sister both co-drove for him - were involved in furthering his career. After so nearly winning the 2001 Finnish Championship and with help sourced by manager Timo Jouhki, he won the Finnish 2-litre championship in 2002, driving a VW Golf. That same year he drove a Citroen Saxo, a Ford Puma and a Subaru Impreza WRC in various Italian and British events, winning - among others - the Cumbrian Rally.

In 2003, he did a full WRC season in a Ford Focus WRC, which led to a works drive for Subaru with Prodrive in 2004, before he joined Ford and M-Sport for 2005. His first WRC victory was in Australia 2006 and in 2007 he was third in the World standings behind team-mate Marcus Gronholm. In 2008, he succeeded to the position of leader in the BP Ford Abu Dhabi team and finished second in the World Championship.

The scent of the Blue Oval will be strong this June at Chatsworth, as there will be a special event added to the programme, featuring competitors in the Kick Energy Fiesta Sporting Trophy. This will not form part of the seven-round British series, but will be a knockout competition held on Saturday between the current top six classified drivers. With those six covered by less than 20 points after the first three rounds, competition should be extremely fierce as the Fiesta drivers get to grips with Chatsworth's asphalt roads. Only two of the Trophy rounds are on asphalt and both of those are yet to come. The prize which they will be driving for, apart from the applause of the crowds, will be a driving lesson from Mikko Hirvonen in the form of a guest co-drive over the Chatsworth stages.

With confirmation from Ford and M-Sport that Hirvonen will be at Chatsworth, the list of stars now includes him, Kris Meeke, past World Rally Champions Stig Blomqvist and Bjorn Waldegard, five-times British Champion Jimmy McRae, double British Champions Russell Brookes and Mark Higgins, ex-Ladies European Rally Champion Louise Aitken-Walker, four-times Irish Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnelly, ex-British Champion and boss of M-Sport Malcolm Wilson, double British national rally champion Steve Perez, plus Tom Cave, Charlie Donnelly, Steve Smith, David Kynaston, Tony Mason. . . the list just keeps growing.

The final places in the nine competitive events have now been filled, which means that the Rally Show at Chatsworth has over 120 competitors from the UK, Ireland, France and Germany, driving everything from Historics, through the Nations Cup and the GT/Sports Car event, to the All Comers.

There are 700 cars on show from one-make car clubs and over 55 exhibitors in the Show's village. Other attractions include a display of rally cars organised by Motorsport News to celebrate 30 years of the World Drivers Championship; the History of Rallying demonstrations on the stages, the UK's top autotest drivers showing how it is done, a chance to try your hand in a trials car or at laser clay pigeon shooting, and a display in the air from the RAF Hawk team.

Should anyone not yet have a ticket for the Rally Show at Chatsworth sponsored by VK, they should visit the event website where - now until midnight on Monday 1 June - they can purchase tickets at a lower price than on the day at the gate.

Rally Show

THE IRISH ARE COMING!

Posted: May 13, 2009 3:31 PM

The Rally Show at Chatsworth will see a further invasion of Irish champions, who are coming to contest the Nations Cup. Currently their team is headed by Eugene Donnelly, four times Irish Tarmac Champion and winner of the recent Larsen Circuit of Ireland. He will be driving the Skoda Fabia WRC with which he won that event and he will be joined in the Irish team by his brother, Charlie Donnelly, a former Irish National Rally Champion, who will drive a Toyota Corolla WRC. The third member of the Irish team will be announced shortly.

The confirmed list of cars and drivers appearing in the History of Rallying are now up on The Rally Show's website. They cover the 40 years from 1950 to 1990 and range from an L-Type Allard which did the first post-war RAC Rally in 1951, to the Peugeot 405 T16 in which Ari Vatanen won the Paris-Dakar Rally of 1990.

With 18 May as the absolute final day for acceptance on entries in the nine special stage events which will run at Chatsworth over the 6/7 June weekend, news from the Rally Office is that there is only a handful of places left and that some events are already over-subscribed. This means that The Rally Show will have 90-plus entrants in its competitive events.

Of course, there will also be demonstrations, such as those by Kris Meeke and others, plus a host of other attractions which you will find listed on The Rally Show website at

Rally Show

MEEKE BUT NOT MILD - IRC LEADER TO DRIVE AT RALLY SHOW

Posted: May 13, 2009 3:30 PM

It has been confirmed by Peugeot GB that their driver and current leader of the FIA Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Kris Meeke will be coming to The Rally Show at Chatsworth to drive the Peugeot 207 S2000. Just last weekend, 7/8 May, Meeke won his second IRC victory in a row at the Sata Rallye Azores, halfway across the Atlantic, and took the lead of the championship.

Meeke's appearance at Chatsworth in June will be the only time that British rally fans will get a chance to see him in action with the Kronos Peugeot before November, when he is due to enter the Rally Scotland. All but that very last round of the IRC take place in countries scattered around the globe, from Brazil to Japan and from Kenya to China.

The appearance of a state-of-the-art Peugeot 207 Super 2000 - which heads the 2009 Manufacturer's IRC table by 29 points from Mitsubishi - is of special interest, since this formula will replace the current World Rally Car from 2010, as part of the cost-cutting initiatives taken by the FIA and the car manufacturers.

Twenty-nine year-old Meeke started his rally career as a engineer and CAD designer with M-Sport, but he needed little encouragement to get involved with rallying since his father, Sidney, had for many years prepared rally cars in Northern Ireland, in particular for Bertie Fisher. In 2000, Kris won a Peugeot competition to find new rally drivers and rapidly progressed through the Peugeot Cup. He gained the support and backing of Colin McRae, which helped him to win the British Junior Championship of 2002 in a Ford Puma. Drives in a range of S1600 cars in the Junior World Championship followed, also with help from McRae, but individual wins were not enough to capture a title. Experience in WRCars during 2007 finally led to a drive for Peugeot GB for 2009.

SOMETHING OF EVERYTHING AT THE SHOW

Posted: April 29, 2009 1:07 PM

With just six weeks to go before the start of the biggest all-rally event in England this year, the variety of people and cars to be seen at the VK sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth is increasing all the time.

In the nine rally events which form the competitive part of the Show, there will be at least two World Champions taking part. Stig Blomqvist will drive a David Sutton Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2 in the opening All Comers event on Saturday and again in the Historic Category C event on Sunday. Interestingly for British fans, Stig turned down an invitation to go to the Race of Champions event in Porto (to be held the same weekend) in order to be at Chatsworth.

Also taking part in the competitive events will be Louise-Aitken Walker, who won the inaugural Ladies World Championship for Opel in 1990. Mark Higgins, British Rally Champion in 1997 and again in 2005, will drive several cars during the weekend.

The Nations Cup, an innovation for this year's Show, will see teams of three drivers from England, Ireland and Germany battle it out in two heats, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. In the German team will be at least two, possibly three, of the spectacular Porsche GT3s, of which one, that of Olaf Dobberkau, was such a hit with spectators last year.

Big GT cars will also feature in the special GT event to be held on Sunday, when two latest-specification Aston Martins driven by Mark Higgins and Paul Appleby will take on the Porsches. Entries are still coming in for this GT and Sports car event and it seems likely that this will produce even more variety.

This year, the Rally Show at Chatsworth has invited the Richard Burns Foundation to be its supported charity. They will be there in force and two rally cars from the Richard Burns Collection, both drivenby Richard in the World Rally Championship, will feature in the static display, organised in conjunction with "Motorsport News" to celebrate 30 years of the World Rally Driver's Championship.

What with all this, plus the History of Rallying which, apart from the more "modern" historic cars, will feature two early V8 rally cars: Jerry Thurston's Allard L-type from the 1950s and Doug Allen's Ford Falcon Future Sprint from the 1960s. With various other demonstrations of rally cars both ancient and modern, the action will be non-stop over the two days.

STARS IN THE CARS ... AND IN THE SKY

Posted: March 23, 2009 7:45 PM

The momentum which has been building since the beginning of the year looks like making the VK-Sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth of 2009 an even bigger attraction and success than in previous years.

A good indicator is that, despite the economic downturn, the number of exhibitors already exceeds last year's total and applications are still coming in. The same is true of web sales for spectator tickets and it is worth remembering that - for tickets purchased before 31 March - the buyer's name is entered into a draw for free rides in rally cars on the Chatsworth stages.

One of the main attractions of the Show has always been the History of Rallying and this year's line-up is as exciting as one could wish. All the cars come from the golden years of rallying and are demonstrated at Chatsworth by their owners or, in some cases, by champion drivers from that same golden age. For example, Louise Aitken-Walker, ex-Ladies World Rally Champion, is due to drive a ex-works Sunbeam Talbot Lotus in the History of Rallying.

Among the cars appearing in that demonstration are the crowd-pleasing Audi quattros of John Hanlon - his is the Sport quattro with which Michele Mouton tackled Pike's Peak - Gary Midwinter with his fearsome Sport quattro E2 and the Opel Manta 400 of Gary Gee, all representing Group B.

Then there are the Ford Escort RS1600 of Mark Solloway, the ex-works Datsun 240Z of Kevin Bristowe and the ex-works Triumph TR7 V8 of Steve Rockingham, all representing Group 4.

There are also newcomers, like Doug Allen from the USA with his replica 1964 Monte Carlo Ford Falcon Futura Sprint, Pat Horan from Eire with his Fiat 131 Abarth in Alitalia livery, Ali Serpen with his ex-works MG Metro 6R4, Tim Bendle with the truly unique Group B Lada VFTS and Dave Kedward with the ex-works Paris-Dakar Peugeot 405 T16 Grand Raid.

As usual, incorporated in the rest of the Show will be individual demonstrations from star drivers of today and champions of yesterday. The full list of overseas rally stars is not yet complete, but of particular interest to British fans is the fact that Russell Brookes, British Rally Champion in 1977 and 1985, and Tom Cave, a potential British - or even World - champion will both be driving at Chatsworth. Entries for the individual rally events, which this year include a Nations Cup, are also coming in well with 20 competitors already signed-up for a variety of events, catering for historic rally cars through to WRCars.

Apart from almost non-stop special stage action of one kind or another over the two days of the Show, there will plenty of other things to see. The RAF Hawk Display Team from RAF Valley on Anglesey will be coming to the Show, or rather to the skies above it. Their full-time mission is to train the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy combat pilots of the future and the display will show just what the aeroplanes and their two-man crews can do.

On the ground, "Motorsport News" is supporting a display of rally cars covering all the models which have been used by the 16 World Rally Champions on the way to their titles since the World Rally Driver's championship was established in 1979.

And there is the possibility for participation too. We already mentioned that people who buy tickets before 31 March can win a ride in a rally car on the stages, but they can also try their hand at driving a trials car.

A fun fair, trade stands, car club displays, food and drink vendors and the freedom to roam through the service park and around the spectator stages should prevent any feeling of boredom over the weekend. And, for those whose feet may get a bit tired, there is always the innovation of grandstands at the Chatsworth Rally Show. Go on-line and look for the latest information at

Rally Show

QUALITY & VARIETY THE THEMES FOR SUMMER SHOW

Posted: January 25, 2009 5:31 PM

With the third running of the VK-sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth taking place on 6/7 June, spectators and competitors alike will find lots to be pleased about. As well as an enhanced programme of rally stars and cars, even greater interest will be generated by the programme of rally events taking place over the weekend.

To start with, the 2009 Show programme features a Nations Cup competition, in which teams of three cars from any of the European nations will compete against one another on both days of the Show. Only the times of the fastest two cars in each team will count and the total time of those will decide the outcome. There are currently teams planned from Ireland, Britain and Germany, with hopefully more to come.

Another innovation is that, at the end of each day, there will be a run-off event for the ten fastest cars competing on the stages that day. Rather in the fashion of F1 qualifying, the ten cars will run the stages and the two slowest will be eliminated; the remaining eight will go again, with the two slowest again eliminated until there are just two cars left to do final runs and decide the winner. On the Sunday, the victor's prize will be the C.G.Neill Trophy, which in the past has always been awarded to the winner of the final event.

Rallying's history is always well represented at Chatsworth and the Show has its own History of Rallying demonstration, involving many ex-works rally cars. In addition, it has always had its own historic events, but this year those, too, have been expanded. As well as individual events on Saturday and Sunday catering for the Historic Rally Car Register's category 1, 2 and 3 cars - ranging from the 1950s right through to 1981 - the Show will host Round 4 of the Northern Historic Rally Championship on Sunday morning. The HRCR stops chronologically short of the more exotic Group 4 and Group B cars, but rally fans may rest assured that these will feature strongly in the demonstrations on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Rally Show now has a tradition of attracting rally cars not regularly competing in the UK. For instance, those who were at the 2008 show will never forget the spectacle and sound of Olaf Dobberkau's Porsche 993, which was the second fastest competing car at the show (after Steve Perez's Ford Focus WRC). The Rally Show this year will feature an event for GT and Sports Cars, split into three period categories - 1960 to 1974, 1975 to 1986 and 1980 onwards - and is likely to attract show stoppers similar to the Porsche and its Aston Martin rivals.

The ever-popular "All Comers" Event on the first day of the Show has been split into two events, the first event for cars up to 2000cc and the second for cars over 2000cc.

As well as having plenty to look at on the stages, the number of rally cars on display in and around the paddock will be larger this year. This is possible by virtue of the paddock being moved much closer to Chatsworth House on the eastern edge of the stages, giving more room for everything from static displays and trade stands to catering and the fun fair.

All in all, the VK Sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth 2009 has every element present to make this third edition an essential summer visit for rally competitors, enthusiasts and all those who may never have attended the motor sport spectacle that is Chatsworth. Information on the Show and copies of regulations are available on its web site at http://www.therrallyshow.org, where you can also order tickets for either day or for both days - and remember that tickets for children under the age of 17 but accompanied by an adult, can be ordered at the same time for FREE.

30 YEARS OF WORLD CHAMPIONS' CARS TO CHATSWORTH

Posted: November 15, 2008 7:32 AM

In 2009, the FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers will be 30 years old. Since Bjorn Waldegard became the first World Rally Champion in 1979, 15 other drivers have worn that crown and the VK Sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth intends to honour them all, by having on display examples of all the cars used over the 30 years to secure the title. This is being organised in conjunction with Britain's leading rally newspaper, "Motorsport News".

Now in its third year, Chatsworth has welcomed many World, European and British Rally Champions at previous shows, but the coming year promises to be a bit special even by those standards. It is hoped to have as many of the past World Champions there alongside their cars and, where possible, to have them demonstrating their skills on the special stages during the two-day event. Sadly, fate has deprived us of the possibility of having either of the two British World Rally Champions, but the display and its presentation will reflect their unique contributions to the sport.

The collaboration with "Motorsport News", part of the Haymarket Group, is particularly pleasing since, in the 1960s, this newspaper was at the forefront of a lobby for the creation of a World Rally Championship for Manufacturers and then, during the 1970s, for a Drivers' title as well. Both campaigns were successful and the FIA World Rally Championship has grown and prospered as a result.

Matt Burt, the current Editor of "MN" commented: "Motorsport News has reported on the World Rally Championship since its inception and continues to do so to this day. The VK Sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth is a must-see event on the national calendar and the fact that the organisers are dedicating a major display area to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first drivers' championship demonstrates the significance of this milestone. We're delighted to be able to help the organisers mark this special occasion."

The Rally Show at Chatsworth 2009 will contain all the features which have played such a part in its growing popularity - a number of actual rallies, the History of Rallying demonstration, and Stage Sessions - as well as new ones, of which the World Champions' Cars will be one. The layout of the event site and the doubling-up of the stages are among changes being instituted to provide better access, improved viewing and more peripheral activities and services.

Tickets can be bought at 2008 prices until 31 December and information about the next event on 6/7June 2009 may be downloaded from the Rally Show website at

Rally Show

World Rally Champions and their cars

Posted: November 15, 2008 7:31 AM

1979 - Bjorn Waldegard (S) - Ford Escort RS1800 & Mercedes 450 SLC 5.0.
1980 - Walter Röhrl (D) - Fiat 131 Abarth.
1981 - Ari Vatanen (FIN) - Ford Escort RS1800.
1982 - Walter Rohrl (D) - Opel Ascona 400.
1983 - Hannu Mikkola (FIN) - Audi quattro A1 & Audi quattro A2.
1984 - Stig Blomqvist (S) - Audi quattro A2 & Audi Sport quattro S1.
1985 - Timo Salonen (FIN) - Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 & Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2.
1986 - Juha Kankkunen (FIN) - Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2.
1987 - Juha Kankkunen (FIN) - Lancia Delta HF 4WD.
1988 - Miki Biasion (I) - Lancia Delta Integrale.
1989 - Miki Biasion (I) - Lancia Delta Integrale & Lancia Delta Integrale 16v.
1990 - Carlos Sainz (E) - Toyota Celica GT-Four.
1991 - Juha Kankkunen (FIN) - Lancia Delta Integrale 16v.
1992 - Carlos Sainz (E) - Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD.
1993 - Juha Kankkunen (FIN) Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD.
1994 - Didier Auriol (F) - Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD.
1995 - Colin McRae (GB) - Subaru Impreza 555.
1996 - Tommi Makinen (FIN) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3.
1997 - Tommi Makinen (FIN) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4.
1998 - Tommi Makinen (FIN) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 & Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4.
1999 - Tommi Makinen (FIN) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 & Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6.
2000 - Marcus Gronholm (FIN) - Peugeot 206 WRC.
2001 - Richard Burns (GB) - Subaru Impreza WRC.
2002 - Marcus Gronholm (FIN) - Peugeot 206 WRC.
2003 - Petter Solberg (N) - Subaru Impreza WRC.
2004 - Sebastien Loeb (F) - Citroen Xsara WRC.
2005 - Sebastien Loeb (F) - Citroen Xsara WRC.
2006 - Sebastien Loeb (F) - Citroen Xsara WRC.
2007 - Sebastien Loeb (F) - Citroen C4 WRC.
2008 - Sebastien Loeb (F) - Citroen C4 WRC.

REVERSE THRUST

Posted: October 15, 2008 8:55 PM

For the third edition of the VK-sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth. there will be some major innovations, but the core of the event will remain - namely, hundreds of rally cars being driven flat-out over the Chatsworth stages.

The biggest changes will be that the two-day event will now feature four stages, - two different ones each day - and the whole event will be turned on its head with the layout reversed to place the service park and exhibition area close to Chatsworth House. The result will provide even better access and viewing for the thousands of spectators.

The 2008 event broke new ground by moving to the first weekend of June and the 2009 Rally Show will stick with that date and is being held on 6/7June. It was very successful with 15,000 people attending over the weekend and watching just over 150 rally cars performing.

The menu -with actual competitions blended with stage sessions, demonstrations and displays, including historic rally cars - proved extremely popular, especially the appearance of ex-World Rally Champion, Marcus Grönholm, in a full-house Ford Focus WRC08.

No fewer than 20 former British Rally Champions attended and three of them - Ari Vatanen, David Richards and Stig Blomqvist - were also previous World Champions. The free and easy atmosphere meant that fans were able to mingle with their heroes to chat and get autographs.

The top competition is always for the fastest and most exotic rally cars; in 2008, this was graced by German visitor, Olaf Dobberkau, in his fearsome Porsche 933GT. However, the event was won for the second time in succession by Global Brands Chairman, Steve Perez, with his Ford Focus WRC. In the background of the 2008 event were an off-road experience in trials cars for the general public, a funfair and exhibition and trade stands, all related to motor sport and motoring.

Plans for 2009 include a major increase in facilities and entertainments away from the special stages; this has been aided by the new layout of the event. The Rally Show has always had a number of peripheral attractions, and these are set to increase to provide a wider scope for all the family to enjoy their weekend. To this end, children under the age of 16 will be admitted free on both days in 2009. A further bonus worth noting is that any adult tickets bought before 1 January 2009 will be charged at 2008 prices.

The main sponsor of the Rally Show at Chatsworth is once again VK Vodka Kick, who will be supported by ECM Systems (Timing), S&H Recovery (Recovery and Rescue Vehicles), Haines Watts Accountants, Richard Egger Insurance and Ton Hire.com. Another sponsor for 2009 will be Hamilton Classic Motor Sport, who have agreed to support the History of Rallying demonstration.

Announcing the 2009 event, Malcolm Neill, Managing Director of The Rally Show Ltd. said: "In the beginning, holding a major rally event like this was just a dream, but thanks to the help and support of our sponsors and the British rally fans, it is a very real success. We are hoping that we can continue to improve and innovate so that returning enthusiasts will find as much of interest as those visiting us for the first time. Above all, we want to keep it a personal experience, where the star drivers and their cars are easily approachable."

All information about the Rally Show 2009 as well as buying ticket and reserving entries for the stage sessions and events can be found on our new website at http://www.therallyshow.org, including photos and videos of last year's action.

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Rally Show