THE Rockingham Stages Rally marks a decade of rallying at Rockingham next month (December) when it returns to the Northamptonshire circuit for the 10th consecutive year, bringing the curtain down on yet another fantastic motorsport season at the track.

More than 80 crews have entered the challenging tarmac event which will be held over the weekend of December 7/8, and will be looking to add their names to the illustrious title in its 10th anniversary season.

Reigning champion Paul King will be defending the crown he won with Alicia Miles in 2012, however this time he will be co-driven by Fiona Scarrett in the Ford RS. They will be challenged by a number of crews who have won numerous other events between them, all hoping to stake a claim to the 2013 title.

Among the challengers is former British and World Rally Champion Martin Rowe, who is visiting from his home in Canada. He will be driving his father-in-law Graham Samuel’s historic Ford Escort MKII BDA.

Last year’s Class 3 winners, Andy Corner and Ade Camp will once again be competing in their rapid Peugeot 205 GTi. Also look out for Rockingham’s Head of Operations, Cat Lund, who is co-driving for fiancé Andy Rowe in their Mitsubishi Evo 2 and looking to improve on their 2012 third place finish.

Joint organisers Thame Motorsport Club and Middlesex County Automobile Club will utilise every inch of tarmac at the venue, including the access roads, tunnels, pit lanes, the paddock area and a combination of the in-field circuit and the UK’s only banked oval.

Providing 97 miles of competitive motoring over the two days, six stages take place on the Saturday, including the infamous two night stages run in the dark, and the remaining six the following day. The event also incorporates a Sunday Stages rally, with six stages over 47 miles, and a Junior Stages - new to this year’s event - held over five stages on Saturday.

The action starts at midday on Saturday and at 9am on Sunday. Tickets cost just £10 on the day, or £15 for both days, and there’s free admission for children aged 16 and under.

Weather permitting, spectators and service crews can enjoy a great view of the stages from the pit garage roof and from the grandstand seats on level 4 of the Rockingham Building. Everyone can warm up in the Welcome Centre which will be open for hot food and drink all day and will also host a rally get together where you can meet the crews on Saturday evening.

Rally results will be available online at www.rockinghamstages.co.uk