Businessman Jim Brown from Rochdale will be swapping his smart work suit for racing overalls when he gets behind the wheel of his rally car to take part in a 200-mile rally.

Jim, a marketing director at Vodat International in Stockport, is all revved up for the North West Stages Rally in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

He will be racing to the finishing post in his Formula Two Ford Escort kit car, cheered on by his colleagues from work.

The rally starts on February 25, starting out at Talbot Square Cenotaph under Blackpool’s famous tower.

This is the third time that Jim has taken part in the gruelling event with co-driver Mike Oswald, from Sale, and they’re determined to gain a top place in the rally.

Jim, who has been competing for about 20 years, said: “I know the car really well now and I’m aiming for a place in the top five. It’s a great occasion for rally drivers as the first and last stages of the day will actually use the promenade, closed to normal traffic of course, with the last run in darkness, floodlit for spectator viewing. We reach speeds of up to 130mph.”

Jim’s colleagues at work - Vodat International, a company which provides broadband networks to famous retailers including Jaeger, Faith Shoes and Fat Face - have all been supporting him with sponsorship.

He explained: “My colleagues are 100 per cent behind me as the rally is for a good cause plus they really want me to bring a trophy back to the office. Let’s hope I’m third time lucky!”

Mike Bielinski, managing director of Vodat International, added: “It’s a tough and demanding event which we’re sure Jim will enjoy and in the process raise a significant amount of money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity. From past events, a total of more than £30,000 has gone to cancer charities.”