LOCAL crews will be revving up for glory alongside the country’s best as the Woodpecker Stages Rally takes centre stage in Ludlow tomorrow.
Several will be fancying their chances in the big event, with Roger Chilman and Andrew Sankey (Subaru Impreza) out to keep up the pressure on their title rivals in the BTRDA Rally series. Former Woodpecker winners, Ludlow Castle’s Shaun Gardener and Ben Innes (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO), will be out to make their mark on home territory while also in the very impressive top six is the Impreza of Nigel Griffiths and Ludlow Castle’s Jon Scott.
Many eyes will be on crews from other regions, notably Andy Burton and Robin Kellard (Peugeot Cosworth) and Steve Perez and Paul Spooner (Ford Focus WRC).
In 2009, Perez won the Sixty & Worcestershire National Rally, the National A permitted event which ran concurrently with the Woodpecker.
This time, Perez and co-driver Spooner are chasing Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Gold Star Championship points and have entered the National B Woodpecker Stages in an attempt to boost their bid for the title.
They arrive in the host town of Ludlow as series leaders and another good result would add more weight to their claim. However, there are a couple of factors that could still blow them off course.
Firstly, right behind Perez and Spooner is multiple Woodpecker winner Burton. Burton’s dream of another Gold Star title is over for this season, but adding to his already impressive tally of Woodpecker victories is still very much on the cards.
Secondly, despite a number of outright victories in the BTRDA series already this season, Perez has been unable to shake off the attentions of Chilman and Sankey and the points difference, with two rounds remaining, is just three. Any mistakes from either side could cost them dearly.
The Sixty & Worcestershire National Rally is not running this year and contenders for the MSA Gravel Championship will be contesting the Woodpecker in its place.
Current leaders Jonny Milner and Ian Windress take the No 3 spot in their Toyota Corolla WRC, ahead of Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield (Subaru Impreza WRC) and former Woodpecker winners Gardener and Innes.
Chilman and Sankey, Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley (Ford Focus WRC), Tom Cave and Craig Parry (Subaru Impreza) and Stephen Petch and John Richardson (Hyundai Accent WRC) are also among the top 10.
Making a welcome return to forest rallying are former national champions David Mann and Alun Cook in a Group N Subaru Impreza, while the first two-wheel drive car in the entry, which stretches to more than 150 cars, is the Ford Escort MkII of the rapid Joe Price, with Chris Brooks sitting alongside and pointing him in the right direction.
A similar Escort driven by Pete Elkins and Dylan Davies is also capable of top honours in this category, as is the Opel Manta GT/E of Jon Ballinger and Gordon Davies.
Millers Oils 1400 Championship leaders Matt Edwards and Sam Collis lead the field away from Ludlow Racecourse at 8.30am tomorrow in their MG ZR.
A number of other Ludlow Castle Motor Club members are taking part including Alex Allingham, Bob Morgan, Tim Cains, Martin Wyles, Michael Wilding, Alan Walker and Jez Walker, Duncan Edwards and Colin Stokes.
Spectators are welcome on the Woodpecker Stages at two locations – Haye Park, approximately 2.5 miles from Ludlow on the Whitcliffe Road, where the first car is due at 9am, and Radnor, where the first car is due at 11.45am. The car park charge at each venue will be £5 per car.
Further information at www.woodpecker-rally.co.uk