MANX CATCHES THE CREAM!…

As the closing date for receipt of entries for this year’s RBS INTERNATIONAL MANX RALLY (9/10^th May) fast approaches, the list of crews making the trip across to the Isle of Man already numbers 120 – and is suitably impressive! 

As a qualifying round of both the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt & Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championships, in addition to welcoming contenders for the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, the event benefits from the appearance of most of the top National rally drivers in the UK.

As they head for Douglas, DAVID KYNASTON/ANDY RUSSELL (Audi A3 Quattro) lead the MSA Asphalt Championship, while JON INGRAM/IAN ALLSOP (Subaru Impreza WRC) are in a similar position in the Gravel Series. Were they to maintain their lead throughout the remainder of the season, Ingram/Allsop would be on course to take their first National title, whereas Devonians Kynaston/Russell won the Asphalt Championship in 2006.

Other former Asphalt Champions are represented by 2007 winners STEVE SIMPSON/MARK BOOTH (Hyundai Accent WRC) and JOHN & CAROLINE PRICE (MG Metro 6R4), while the MSA Gravel Championship trophy already bears the names of MARCUS DODD/ANDREW BARGERY (Hyundai Accent WRC), KENNY McKINSTRY/NOEL ORR, DAVID MANN/ALUN COOK, ROGER DUCKWORTH/MARK BROOMFIELD (all Subaru Impreza WRCs) and STEVE PEREZ (Ford Focus WRC) who has former British Champion HOWARD DAVIES with him on this occasion.

Runners-up on this year’s Galway International Rally (behind Manxman Mark Higgins!), TIM McNULTY/EUGENE O’DONNELL (Subaru S12 B) will, doubtless, be using the event for a spot of practice prior to the Irish Tarmac Championship’s visit to the Isle of Man in July.

Further details of the RBS International Manx Rally are available from the Event Press Officer:

Andrew Haill – Tel: 0121 313 1416/E-mail: andrew.haill@btconnect.com

OR

By visiting www.manxrally.org