VATANEN AND MOUTON JOIN RALLY GB

it will be a nice opportunity to look back at some of our sport’s greatest cars.”

The 1981 world champion will be joined by Frenchwoman Michele Mouton with further stars of the Group B era expected to be announced ahead of the event.

Two of the primary attractions at Cholmondeley on Saturday October 29 will be the very cars that finished first and second on the 1986 Fram Filters International Welsh Rally: Hannu Mikkola’s Audi quattro Sport and the Prodrive-run MG Metro 6R4 Jimmy Mcrae used to finish second to the Finn.

Apart from those two, there’s an original Ford RS200, Lancia 037, Nissan 240RS and a Renault 5 Maxi Turbo. Outside the Group B class, there are a brace of Lancia Stratos and plenty of Ford Escort RS1800S.

As well as Cholmondeley, the stars and cars will be present at the Chester control at 1900hrs on Friday October 28.

Organiser: Pendle & District Motor Club; Garstang & Preston MC When: September 25 Where: Weeton Army Barracks, Nr Blackpool Championship: ANWCC; SD34 Stages: 12 Starters: 39

James and Chris Ford took an emphatic victory on the Heroes Stages Rally in their Subaru Impreza WRC, eventually finishing more than a minute clear of the Ford Escort Mk2 of Ian Woodhouse/paul Rowland.

It was James Ford’s first experience of driving the ex-chris Atkinson car and following a couple of early spins he set a string of fastest stage times to head the standings from SS2. Mark Roberts/stephen Landen had been fastest in SS1, but a crank seal failure put their Ford Escort Cosworth out.

Woodhouse survived an SS8 altercation with a kerb to finish ahead of the similar car of Mark Kelly/andy Baker that ended with the steering rack held together by jubilee clips. A pair of Subaru Imprezas completed the top five with Tim Finch/darren Riley heading James Massey/ Matthew Broadbent who survived a trip into the bushes on SS4.