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RALLY NEWS NO.1 Wrexham (HQ)..Friday 09.30 Testing is over. The buck stops now as the wheels of this Vauxhall Rally of Wales, opening counter of the Mobil 1 British Championship 2000, roll inexorably into action. For many weeks the two main 'works' F2 teams in the series, Vauxhall and Volkswagen, have been through rigorous test sessions, setting up suspension, differential and gear ratios, picking the best tyres. Now its the real thing. Current British Champion Tapio Laukkanen, now with Volkswagen, as well as Mark Higgins and Neil Wearden for Vauxhall, all three have pronounced themselves satisfied with their respective machines.This is only part of the equation of course. There's a tremendous array of GpN machinery, some of whom should be in the thick of the action. The Super 1600's, featuring the fabulous Peugeot 106 Maxi Gtis, to be driven by Justin Dale and David Higgins, should ensure further fireworks. What at first seemed as if it was going to be a slim enough entry, has swollen considerably at the very last minute. Adding spice to the proceedings will be the 'big' cars in the Panaround section of the rally, which includes the Mintex 2000 Championship contenders. Unfortunately series leader Chris Mellors looks like he won't be making the start, which leaves the door open for Steve Petch to make his move. The Lex Army LandRover team of 6 vehicles run behind the main rally and on Sunday we have the Gwynedd F1400 division at the back also. The drivers completed a 'recce' yesterday (well most of them), and reported the stages dry, even dusty, the surfaces firm. Speeds should be high over the weekend. Last minute entries in the main Vauxhall Int. Rally of Wales, not listed in the programme, include:- Juuso Pykalisto/Esko Mertsalmi in a Ford Puma slotted in at 12. Julian Reynolds/Richard Skinner(Celica) at 54. Iwan & Aled Wyn Rees(Skoda) are @ 55. Stuart & Steve Egglestone(Lancer), fresh from 2nd o/a on the Malcolm Wilson are at 56. Nicholas Tate/Andrew Coupland(Astra) are @ 57. Dennis Tate/James Ferguson(Vauxhall Gsi) are @ 58. Mark Perrott/Garry Mansell (Lancer) are @ 59. Neil Simpson/Michael Gibson, such stars last season in the Golf TDi, are in a DGM Pirelli shod Lancer @ 60. Charlie Exton/Suzanne Emiliani(Integra) are @ 61,Peter & Chris Heatherington(Lancer) are @ 62, Christer Steen/Hakan Jacobsson(Corsa Maxi 6) are @ 63, Judy Lucas/Roger Sutcliffe are @ 64 and John Morton/Alan Whitaker (Lancer) are @ 65. Non-starters from the original list include Ramanen and Berglund, while Stella Boyles is sitting in with Natalie Barratt. SAFETY - finally for now we would ask everyone involved with the rally to think safety at all times - expect the unexpected, show consideration. Interestingly Stuart Turner has been asked by the MSA to observe safety procedures....More news to follow..BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON |
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