RALLY: Top teams and local drivers flock to MSA Rally
1 July 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Championship leader Marko Ipatti (whose car has yet to be
nominated), Tapio Laukkanen (VW Golf Kit Car) and Neil
Simpson (the Mitsubishi Lancer privateer who so nearly
won the Scottish Rally) are among the latest additions to
a 50-strong entry list for the MSA Rally.
The top eight drivers in the Mobil 1 British Rally Championship have now entered, as have official cars from Proton, Hyundai, Vauxhall, Peugeot and Volkswagen. The first-ever British Championship rally to take place in the region has also attracted several local drivers eager to compete against the Mobil 1 regulars. Leading the local challenge is Jeremy Easson from Oakham, one of this country's most successful amateur drivers (he finished sixth overall on the 1996 Network Q Rally).
David Wood of Heanor drives a Subaru sponsored by Beechdale Motor Group (who also sponsor the special stages at Belvoir Castle). Wood finished third overall on this year's British Championship Pirelli Rally.
The winning driver of the 1997 Peugeot Challenge, Jason Sharpe of Oakham, takes part in his Peugeot 306; Honda driver Charlie Exton of Lincoln defends his third-in-class championship position; while Gary Kellam of Woodborough, winner of the recent Robin Hood Rally, returns to the British series in his Mitsubishi.
The MSA Rally, round 5 of the Mobil 1 British Rally Championship, takes place on Saturday 15 July. Based at Grantham, Lincolnshire, the event features 15 timed stages, totalling just under 42 miles.
Text provided by Colin Wilson
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