Mike Collins and Roger Sutcliffe will tackle the HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge this year in a Group 2 Opel Kadett. Collins has contested the BHRC in a Datsun 240Z for the last three seasons, but is now switching to the 1977 car for the Classic series.

"I sold the Datsun late last year so that I could buy a car to do the Classic series in 2004," says Collins. The Opel is due to be completed in time for the opening event of the Classic season, the Robin Hood Historic Rally on 6/7 March. "At present it is still on schedule!" reckons the Yorkshireman, who will be the first driver to contest the burgeoning Classic series in an Opel.

Collins and Sutcliffe share a long rallying history and have known each other for more than 25 years. "I first started competing in Minis and Escorts in the 1970s," says Collins. "I then had a sabbatical for 15 years or so and returned to historic rallying in the late 1990s."

The Kadett will run in class D3, the 2-litre division in the Classic Challenge, and is likely to be amongst the class pacesetters.