Rally legends return to the stage.

[Steven Roy]

I am sure all the right thinking rally fans on this site agree that Audi should be put up against a wall and shot for introducing 4 wheel drive and ending the era of the fabulous Mark II Escorts.  It is inconceivable now that a clubman driver could go out and buy a car that was more or less identical to the world champion's.

How many of you would like one more chance to get out in a forest and watch Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen, and Stig Blomqvist in Mark II Escorts.  Well you can.  Those three and who knows who else will compete in the Colin McRae Stages rally on 29th September.  This results from some of the comments made in the wake of Colin's death in which they expressed their admiration and respect for him.  Fortunately someone sensible suggested that the only real way for men like these to show respect to Colin was to take a car out on a stage and wring its neck.

David Richards who was Ari Vatanen's co-driver when they won the 1981 world championship heard about this idea from Mikkola.  He immediately phone Ari and Ari's first words were 'I want the fastest Escort'.  You just have to love Ari.  He and McRae are kindred spirits.

I don't care what I have to do that day to get there but there is no way I am going to miss the chance of seeing these guys on a stage again.  In addition it is certain that Alister McRae and Jimmy McRae will be competing as well.

That's what I call a day's entertainment.

[Alianora La Canta]

Now that sounds like proper rallying! I await the 29th September with considerable excitement, and hope that it gets decent TV coverage.