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Rallying Legends come to Cardiff |
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Wednesday, 14 November 2007 |
Rally legends and iconic rally cars spanning 70 years will take pride
of place in the celebrations to mark the 75th Anniversary of Wales
Rally GB which starts in Cardiff on the evening of Thursday 29th
November.
This is the first time such a remarkable gathering of "stars and cars" have been assembled.
"We are privileged to bring together so many legendary names from the
world of rallying. Our Guest list is a who's who of international
rallying spanning 50 years, complimented by an amazing collection of
cars dating back to the 1930's", commented Andrew Coe, Chief Executive
of International Motor Sports, the event organisers.
Amongst the former winners making guest appearances during the rally
are a trio of Finnish drivers; Rauno Aaltonen (1965), Pentti Airikkala
(1989) and Juha Kankkunen - triple Rally GB winner (1987,1991 and 1993)
and four-times World Rally Champion (1986/7, 1991 and 1993).
The Start ceremony will also include a tribute to the late Colin McRae,
MBE, winner in 1994, 1995 and 1997 and World Rally Champion in 1995.
Paddy Hopkirk, 1965 Monte Carlo Rally winner, will be a guest at the rally Start.
Representing the winning co-drivers is Stuart Turner (1960 with Erik
Carlsson), Tony Mason (1972 with Roger Clark), Scotland's Robert Reid
(1998, 1999 and 2000 with Richard Burns), Derek Ringer (1994 and 1995
with Colin McRae) and Welshman Nicky Grist (1993 with Juha Kankkunen
and 1997 with Colin McRae).
The line-up of cars which will form a "Guard of Honour" at the
Ceremonial Start adjacent to Cardiff's City Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday
29th November includes an original 1932 Lanchester, identical to the
car that won the inaugural "RAC International Rally", the actual Jaguar
XK120 which won the rally in 1953, and exact replica's of the Ford
Escort, Audi quattro and Lancia models which dominated the rally in the
70's, 80's and 90's.
Autograph signing sessions with the rallying legends and current World
and British Championship drivers will begin at 6.00pm adjacent to
Cardiff City Hall.
Admission to the autograph signing and Ceremonial Start is free.
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