Neil Weaver Carlisle preview

Weaver Prepares for Pirelli

Dominant Xspec 1400cc class leaders Neil Weaver and Nick Thornton take time out from their 2006 BTRDA title aspirations and travel North to Carlisle and the Pirelli National Rally to do battle against some of Britain's top rally drivers such as Colin McRae as they go head to head in some of Europe's most famous rallying forests.

With the rally also playing host to the opening round of the 2006 British Rally International Championship all eyes will be on the competitors as they tackle stages in the infamous Kielder Forest Complex (Chirdonhead and Shepershield to name but two) and Kershope, scenes of epic world rally battles of the past.

With class wins on every single one of the 5 events the team has contested so far in 2006 their spirits are high and they are confident of a good result this coming weekend.

Despite the Pirelli not being a round of any championship that the pair are currently contesting this year, both Neil and Nick have always wanted to compete in the famous Kielder forests, and as it is Neil's' home event (Neil works for M-Sport, and is based in Cockermouth) the event represents an ideal opportunity for the team to deliver on home soil!

The first stage is Bower near Kielder Reservoir following the start in Carlisle, Then the crews will have to endure 70 miles of tough competition on the fast and flowing forest roads through the Kielder Complex before returning to the finish, in Carlisle, on Saturday evening.

Carlisle also hosts the Service Park and a Spectator stage called P-Zero on the outskirts of Carlisle , which will give the general public a chance to watch the rally cars in action and which is visited twice throughout the day for stages 4 and 10.

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