Wales Rally newsletter 2007-11-13

Rallying Legends come to Cardiff

Rally legends and iconic rally cars spanning 70 years will take pride of place in the celebrations to mark the 75th Anniversary of Wales Rally GB which starts in Cardiff on the evening of Thursday 29th November.

This is the first time such a remarkable gathering of "stars and cars" have been assembled.

"We are privileged to bring together so many legendary names from the world of rallying. Our Guest list is a who's who of international rallying spanning 50 years, complimented by an amazing collection of cars dating back to the 1930's", commented Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of International Motor Sports, the event organisers.

Amongst the former winners making guest appearances during the rally are a trio of Finnish drivers; Rauno Aaltonen (1965), Pentti Airikkala (1989) and Juha Kankkunen - triple Rally GB winner (1987,1991 and 1993) and four-times World Rally Champion (1986/7, 1991 and 1993).

The Start ceremony will also include a tribute to the late Colin McRae, MBE, winner in 1994, 1995 and 1997 and World Rally Champion in 1995.

Paddy Hopkirk, 1965 Monte Carlo Rally winner, will be a guest at the rally Start.

Representing the winning co-drivers is Stuart Turner (1960 with Erik Carlsson), Tony Mason (1972 with Roger Clark), Scotland's Robert Reid (1998, 1999 and 2000 with Richard Burns), Derek Ringer (1994 and 1995 with Colin McRae) and Welshman Nicky Grist (1993 with Juha Kankkunen and 1997 with Colin McRae).

The line-up of cars which will form a "Guard of Honour" at the Ceremonial Start adjacent to Cardiff's City Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 29th November includes an original 1932 Lanchester, identical to the car that won the inaugural "RAC International Rally", the actual Jaguar XK120 which won the rally in 1953, and exact replica's of the Ford Escort, Audi quattro and Lancia models which dominated the rally in the 70's, 80's and 90's.

Autograph signing sessions with the rallying legends and current World and British Championship drivers will begin at 6.00pm adjacent to Cardiff City Hall.

Admission to the autograph signing and Ceremonial Start is free.

-credit: walesrallygb.com