On Sunday December 12th Rockingham will host the first ever tarmac stage rally held at the East Northamptonshire venue.  A whole host of rally cars will be taking part, including ex-World Rally Championship machines, in what is hoped will become an annual event.

The organisers, Thame Motorsport and Middlesex County Automobile Clubs have received a maximum seventy-five entries, with the competitors rallying on 70 miles of tarmac stages on Rockingham’s race track, paddock area and perimeter roads.

“This is another first for Rockingham and promises to be a spectacular event,” said circuit spokesman Jeff Carter.  “The first car on the rally will start at 10am and with the shortest day of the year approaching it looks like the last two stages will be run in the dark.  Demand for the event was so great, the competitor entry list filled up in just three days and they have a reserve list of at least 10 cars ready to take part if any of the other competitors drop out.

“This will be a spectator event and there will be a charge of £10 per car arriving at Rockingham, which represents great value for money if you come as a group.  Please note, anyone arriving on foot will be charged £10.”

Cars range from the cream of WRC machinery - Mitsubishi Lancers, Subaru Imprezza’s and Ford Escort Cosworths – to older cars like the awesome Metro 6R4 and crowd favourite the classic Mini, including the last ever Mini to win its class in the UK round of the World Rally Championship, the Wales Rally GB, driven by Neil Burgess.

The public gates open at 9am on Sunday 12th December and the on the gate price will be £10 per car.  More information on the rally can be found at .rockinghamstages.co.uk