RALLY NEWS NO.1 Rally HQ Shrewsbury - Saturday morning

Outgoing National Champion Mark Perrott, driving his Escort WRC, heads a fabulous entry for this Bulldog Rally, final round of the '04 ANCRO series. Behind the Leominster man is Roger Duckworth, who was a close contender for this year's title until his Subaru fell off a Scottish track on the penultimate round. At No.3 is Steve Perez in his Vodka Kick Focus. Steve has already won this year's title, even with this final round remaining. That is some measure of the talent at the front of this capacity 180 strong entry. On the action menu for the day are 9 tough special stages through the Welsh forests, wet weather sure to make the tracks pretty muddy and slippy. The overall title may be decided, and Brendan Crealey has also captured the GpN title in his prize drive 'works' Mitsubishi Lancer, but there is still plenty to fight for in Championship terms.

A highlight of this weekend should be the 'down to the wire' tussle between the two lead Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge drivers Paul Wedgbury and Rory Galligan. There's a lot at stake, in the form of a works Mitsubishi GpN drive for next year. Nik Elsmore and Martin Sansom are 3rd and 4th in the points, and they'll not be hanging about either, but truly the spotlight will be on Wedgbury and Galligan, seeded at 11 and 12.

Similarly in the Peugeot 206 Super Cup there's a titanic battle in store today for top honours between Ieuan Rowlands and Stuart Jones. These two young men have been neck and neck through the season, both dazzlingly fast. Again, there's a lot to play for, not just the prize of a fully prepared Peugeot 206 and £10,000 towards running it, but personal pride as well for the two young Welsh tigers. Irish driver Gareth MacHale is in 3rd, Mike Faulkner a close 4th, having won the last round in his native Scotland. These two will no doubt be having their own battle for the remaining Peugeot podium place. MacHale damaged his car last weekend at a rally in Enniskillen, so will start at a slight disadvantage, having to drive his friend Paul Kiely's car.

Mixed with the excitement of this Super 206 Cup finale is a touch of poignancy also, this being the final round ever under the umbrella of the Peugeot Motorsport competition department in Coventry, after more than 40 years of glorious rally activity. On the bright side, the Peugeot 206 Super Cup will continue, but run by an outside company.

Returning to the overall leaderboard, former Champion Marcus Dodd runs at 4, Andy Burton at 5 in his extremely rapid Peugeot Cosworth, and young Craig Middleton at 6 in his Accent WRC. Steve Petch is at 7 in his Accent WRC, Dave Weston (Escort WRC) at 8. Brendan Crealey is at 9 in the works GpN Mitsubishi Lancer. Brendan has the GpN title all sewn up, and says he's just out to enjoy himself today, no pressure! Geoff Jones starts at 10 in a GpA Subaru, the John Lloyd car, not the GpN Impreza as expected, and has Rydian Welson co-driving.

Outside the top ten there is a great variety of drivers, including some new names. The attraction seems to be the reputation of the rally for great stages and also the desire by some to measure themselves against established benchmark drivers, particularly in GpN, with a view to next season.

Late stories include Mark Perrot having some engine problems with his Escort WRC, but should make the start. Glenn Patterson has stepped in to co-drive for young Simon Hughes who is driving the ex Jennie Lee Hermansson 22 Motorsport N9 Impreza. Phil Morgan (No.17) hurt his back earlier this week when co-driving for Roger Duckworth at Enfield in a test session. Duckworth has hired Morgan's Impreza S7, complete with sequential box. Phil is due to drive his 99 Impreza S5, but will make a final decision about starting when he sees how his back is. A non-starter is car No.39 Hugh Hunter, whose Escort Cosworth's clutch expired yesterday.

Final word for now goes to new ANCRO National Champion, Steve Perez. "I think the rally will be very slippy, it will be easy to get caught out. Hopefully I'll go as well as I did towards the end of the Trackrod in this new 03 Focus. This time last year I had won the Historic Championship, did the rally just to enjoy myself, and won. I'd like to do the same this time, but win the rally overall".
More news from Sweet Lamb after stage 2 BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net