South coast rally driver Steve Hendy is gearing up for a high speed bank holiday weekend as he heads to Bedfordshire to contest the Tamdown Millbrook Stages Rally.

He and co-driver Aled Davies are set to tackle 60 miles of high speed stages on Bank Holiday Monday as the pair test the Hendy Group Focus WRC ahead of a return to the Belgian Rally Championship later this season.

“The event is held at Millbrook, one of Europe’s leading venues for the development and testing of cars, bikes and trucks,’’ said Steve.

“This means there is a real mix of different conditions, hills, cambers and even surfaces which is perfect to test the car, the Hankook tyres and ensure we are match fit as we have until September before the Belgian series resumes.’’

Seeded at number three in the event, Steve said he was looking forward to the rally which is a round of the BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series.

“This is always a testing rally with 10 stages which really get the best from a car, driver and co-driver,’’ said Steve who will also use the event to test the latest in tyre technology from Hankook.

“We know that conditions can be changeable at Millbrook and that the Hankooks are good in the wet and dry so it will be interesting to use the day to really get the best out of the tyres.’’