Motorsport News

PACKED R.A.C. SCHEDULE BEING PLANNED FOR THE EVENT’S RETURN IN 2023

Early date confirmati­on to allow crews to plot for five-day marathon rally epic

- By Paul Lawrence

Five full days of forest rallying will be the key feature of the next edition of the Roger Albert Clark Rally, which will run from Thursday to Monday, November 23-27 2023.

Rally manager Colin Heppenstal­l has announced that the 2023 event will cover a full five days of competitio­n, with stages planned in England, Scotland and Wales for what will be the 20th anniversar­y edition of the longest and toughest special stage rally in the UK.

The route detail and direction of the event including the start and finish venues and overnight halts will be decided over the next few months. Heppenstal­l is currently evaluating all available route options, including which forest complexes can be used on which day.

Heppenstal­l said: “We’re planning to make this a full five days of rallying, so for the first time Thursday will be a full day with plenty of stage miles. I’m currently considerin­g a range of route options and we’ll confirm more details later this year.” Previously, the event has usually opened with a short loop of stages on the first evening, but next year it will go straight into a full day of action.

Heppenstal­l is already being asked by UK and European crews about the date, route and the entry process: “By confirming the date at this early stage, we’re giving everyone plenty of time for planning.

“Clearly, there is a demand for this event and lots of interest in the 20th anniversar­y edition of the Roger Albert Clark Rally. I already have a number of European crews eager to place entries.”

Stage mileage is yet to be confirmed but Heppenstal­l is aiming for at least 300 miles of UK forest stages. As before, the event will be open to historic rally cars and all two-wheel-drive cars.

 ?? Photos: Paul and Ben Lawrence ?? Planning is already underway for the R.A.C.’s return
Photos: Paul and Ben Lawrence Planning is already underway for the R.A.C.’s return

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