Motorsport News

R.A.C. RETURNS WITH NEW ROUTE

Around 300 stage miles and four days planned

- By Paul Lawrence

A route taking in between 250 and 300 stage miles and running over four days are key details of the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally, which will run from November 10 to 13.

After a two-year absence the event will return with a broader geographic spread and, for the first time, will allow the use of subjective route notes. An entry fee of around £3000 is anticipate­d.

Event manager Colin Heppenstal­l is planning a route that covers Yorkshire, Kielder and Scotland and is also exploring options to take the event into the Welsh forests for some stages.

Heppenstal­l said: “A lot of people didn’t think the event would come back into the calendar, but we always had the intention of bringing the event back to how it was when it all started back in 2004.”

The event has attracted interest quickly, with British Rally Championsh­ip runner-up Tom Cave confirming interest.

“The stages they’ve used in the past have been classic stages with so much heritage,” he said.

“It’s a challenge a competitiv­e driver wants to go and do. It would be a lot different to what I’m used to doing. To try and join the list of winners would be brilliant. It’s good to see it back with good mileage.”

More details about the event will be announced at Autosport Internatio­nal in January. Additional reporting:

Jack Benyon

 ?? Photos: Paul Lawrence, Mike Dixon ?? The R.A.C. hasn’t run for the last two seasons
Photos: Paul Lawrence, Mike Dixon The R.A.C. hasn’t run for the last two seasons

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