Wales Rally GB news: Rally GB And Rac Rally Challenges For Perez
Kick Energy rally driver Steve Perez has a busy month ahead planned taking in two major events of differing formats in entirely different cars.
Making a return to the world championship arena, the Chesterfield businessman will tackle Wales Rally GB over the weekend of 5/7th December at the wheel of his Ford Focus WRC 05, which he will share with co-driver Paul Spooner.
It will be the third time that Steve has entered a world championship event following on from an outing a couple of seasons ago in Catalunya to add to Wales Rally GB in 2002.
Prior to that, Perez and co-driver Kevin Rae will attempt the four-day Roger Albert Clark Rally, which gets underway in Leeds on Friday 14th November, driving the ubiquitous Lancia Stratos in the event which is a throwback to the legendary Lombard RAC Rallies of the Seventies and Eighties.
After the disappointment of retirement last year, Perez and Rae, last year's winning co-driver, will wow the thousands of fans expected to line the route in the Italian legend around the forests of Yorkshire, Kielder and Scotland.
"Now that Wales Rally GB is venturing a little bit further north to such forests as Hafren, Sweet Lamb and Myherin, I thought I'd like another go at it as the route is much better. Mid Wales has always been a favourite of mine and I'm aiming to be top British amateur driver. But with the likes of Gareth Jones and Dave Weston, as well as Irishman Eamonn Boland, it won't be easy, but we'll give it our best shot. The one driver I'm really looking forward to competing against is MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi and if he needs any refreshments, I'm sure we can sort him some Kick Energy drinks out" said Steve.
He continued: "As for the Roger Albert, it is one of my favourite events of the year as it's how rallying used to be. Day and night, lots of stages and road miles, a proper endurance event and after the problems we have had over the past couple of years, I'm due some luck this year. It's tough on the crews and the cars but I think I'm better prepared this year than I've ever been. The fans always turn out in their thousands and hauling through the forests of the north in November is true rallying in my book."
Comprising a total of 19 stages, Wales Rally GB gets underway with the ceremonial start in Cardiff on Thursday 4th December before the first loop of competitive stages around Mid Wales on Friday 5th December. The action continues with stages in Resolfen, Crychan and Halfway as well as the spectator special at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and on Sunday, the final leg sees crews tackle four stages in South Wales before the finish back in Cardiff. More details can be found on walesrallygb.com
The Roger Albert Clark starts from Leeds United FC's ground of Elland Road on Friday evening (14th November) followed by a couple of blasts round Temple Newsam stately home that night. The following morning (Saturday 15th) after a 7am start, and after another two stages at Temple Newsam, crews head out towards Scarborough whereby stages at Langdale and Harwood Dale are interspersed with four runs round the motorcycle racetrack at Oliver's Mount. Then it's a trek back across to the Lake District and Greystoke Forest in darkness before an overnight halt at Carlisle at midnight.
Sunday sees another dozen stages in southern Scotland and the final five stages of the 31 stage event provides the sting in the tail with over fifty miles of 'Killer Kielder' before the finish in Carlisle on Monday afternoon. Log onto rogeralbertclarkrally.org for further information.
