Roger Albert Clark Rally 2009
Carlisle has, for the sixth successive year, been
chosen as host City for the Roger Clark Rally. This event has
become established as one of the biggest motor sports events on the
calendar.
Over 60 historic rally cars have been entered including Stig
Blomqvist, winner of the first Roger Albert Clark Rally and 1984
World Rally Champion.
The rally starts from Pickering Showground, Yorkshire on Friday,
13 November. The cars arrive in Carlisle on Saturday 14th November
2009 for an overnight halt. Sunday, 15 November is spent in the
Scottish borders and the Dumfries area, before another night halt
in Carlisle.
The final day of the rally, Monday, 16 November, takes crews
into the daunting Kielder forest complex in Northumberland before a
lunch-time finish in Carlisle city centre for the champagne
spraying ceremony. The Mayor of Carlisle, Councillor William
Graham, will wave the cars over the finish line.
Press Releases (from TFM Media)
Blomqvist Leads Early Entries For Roger Albert Clark
Rally
Stig Blomqvist, winner of the inaugural Roger Albert
Clark Rally in 2004, returns to the event to try and win
for the second time as the early entry list starts to include some
of the big names of historic rallying.
Blomqvist, the 1984 World Rally Champion, and Ana Goni will compete
in a Ford Escort Mk2 from David Sutton's team, contesting the rally
for the third time having also finished second overall in 2005 to
Mark Higgins. "This event is just like the RAC Rally was in the
1970s and 1980s," said Blomqvist.
However, the driver with the most consistent record on the event
will be back to try and finally claim that all-important victory.
Jeremy Easson has contested all five previous Roger Alberts and has
finished in the top three on four of them, only retiring in 2008.
Easson was within sight of winning in 2006 when a throttle problem
on the final stage at Croft dropped him to third.
Now, Easson is busy building a fresh Escort Mk1 for the 2009 rally.
"We want to be at the front end of the RAC," said Easson. "We’ve
come close, but there are more and more competitive drivers coming
to do it now. It’s a long event, but to be in a winning position
you’ve got to have the right sort of kit nowadays. I like the idea
of staying in category two with a Mk1 rather than going for a
Mk2."
Also confirmed to be entering again in 2009 is David Stokes who,
like Easson, has supported the rally since the very start. His best
result so far was second to Malcolm Wilson in 2008. "It's the
highlight of the year," said Stokes. "It's a very tough event and
it's hard work. You've got to pace yourself."
Paul Griffiths, one of the pacesetters in 2008 during his first
attempt at the rally in his Escort Mk2, has also lodged his entry.
"It’s the best rally of the year. We had a great run last year and
set some fastest stage times, so this year I'd like to have a clear
run."
Le Mans Winner Enters Roger Albert Clark
Rally
Guy Smith, winner at Le Mans in 2003 for Bentley, will tackle the
2009 Roger Albert Clark Rally alongside his father
Peter in what will be Guy's third-ever rally.
The world-renowned sports car racer will contest the four-day rally
in a historic specification Ford Escort RS2000, while Peter will be
in his regular Porsche 911 for his first attempt at the 13-16
November rally.
"It's in at the deep end," said Guy. "I'm just doing it for fun and
the aim is to try and get round without crashing. It will be like
doing four or five rallies in one go. It's a bit of a busman's
holiday and it is something we can do together for fun."
Guy made his rallying debut in June, having been encouraged to try
the sport by Peter. After a long break from rallying, Peter
returned to historic events in April 2008 and contested a full BHRC
season this year in the Porsche. XS Racing will look after both
cars, with Howard Pridmore alongside Guy and Russ Langthorne, as
usual, on the maps for Peter.
"I've not done this event before," said Peter. "I did the Clubmans
RAC in 1978. It will be an adventure and it is perfect for me that
it starts in Yorkshire!"
Guy recently took his family for a day out to Scarborough and took
the opportunity to have a look at Oliver's Mount, which features
prominently on the opening day of the Roger Albert
Clark. "That's tarmac, so we should be OK on that
bit!"