WITH entries for this year's Jim Clark Rally having closed on Saturday a bumper entry is once again assured for mainland Britain's only closed public road rally.
The organisers of the Jim Clark have been given dispensation from the Tesco 99 British Rally Championship to allow World Rally Cars as long as the drivers are registered for the Global Irish Rally Championship, for which the Clark is once again a cou
nting round. As a consequence, there's been a rush of drivers from the British side of the Irish Sea to join the Irish series. So spectators will see drivers such as Barry Johnson, John Ingram and Steve Petch tackling the testing roads of Berwickshire in their high powered WR cars along with the front runners in the Irish championship.
The National Rally has exceeded its stated maximum number of entries, and this figure is now likely to be increased to accommodate the considerable number of applicants.
The popular Reivers Rally is also well oversubscribed as further Scottish Championship contenders submitted their entries following the previous round at the Granite City Rally.
And, after some uncertainty, many will be pleased to hear that the Army Landrovers will once again be appearing.
Rally manager Colin Pagan said: "Everything's set for another exciting and action-packed Jim Clark Rally on our new date of the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May. Preparations are well in hand, but we really could do with more marshals.
"As many who have marshalled in the past will know, it's a great event to be involved with. So come along and lend a hand and enjoy the atmosphere of a special weekend. Just contact our chief marshal Andy Nicholls for details."
* VK VODKA Kick rally driver Steve Perez strengthened his hold on the 2007 Hankook MSA Gravel Rally Championship by increasing his lead after a weekend of drama on the RBS International Manx Rally which formed round three of the ANCRO organised series.
Along with Berwickshire co-driver Claire Mole the Chesterfield businessman clinched fourth position overall but third place ANCRO points to increase his lead to 17 points at the top of the standings.
The event was won by Iroishman Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr (Subaru Impreza) with Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield (Subaru Impreza WRC) second and Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery (Hyundai Accent WRC) third.
Duns driver Alistair Thorburn and his co-driver Paul McGuire from Tranent finished a fine 19th overall in their new Subaru Impreza N12.
