REID AND MCRAE TO PEUGEOT EVENT

Series celebrates 30th anniversary

Robert Reid and Jimmy Mcrae will headline the Peugeot Challenge 30th anniversary celebration, which runs alongside Race Retro this weekend, while the event will also raise money for Down’s Syndrome Awareness.

The series began in 1989 and has helped to directly or indirectly launch the careers of Colin Mcrae, Richard Burns, Kris Meeke and Jonny Milner.

It has run in various guises over the years, and cars and personalities from all eras will be present at Race Retro. Rallying with Group B has organised period machinery to be demonstrated at the Stoneleigh Park venue, which was a popular test facility for Peugeot UK.

Another highlight of the event is an auction for the Rallying for Down’s Syndrome Awareness group. The winner will receive a passenger ride in a Ian Gwynne Subaru Impreza WRC with East African Safari winner and charity co-founder Ryan Champion.

“Ryan’s son Finley has down’s syndrome and, when I was asked, I was really happy to provide a car for Ryan to drive,” said Gwynne of Bgmsport.

The auction can be entered by making pre-weekend offers to event organiser Kev Furber (07850 732867), or at the evening dinner.

The evening dinner headlines the off-track activity, which is where Mcrae Sr will talk of Colin Mcrae’s Peugeot stint, while Robert Reid won the junior section of the challenge in 1991 alongside Richard Burns. Over 300 people are expected to attend the event at the Ramada Hotel, Kenilworth.

Already confirmed are long time Challenge coordinators Keith Baud and Stella Boyles, along with the original winners, Paul Frankland and Furber. Many works cars will be demonstrated and displayed, while a number of current drivers including Under27 European champion in 2017, Chris Ingram, and Burns’s Godson and Junior World Rally Championship entrant Tom Williams will attend.

Places at the event are still available by contacting Furber.