Five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae will drive the course car on the Cumbria-based Pendragon Stages Rally on Sunday 26 August.
McRae, father of Britain’s first World Rally Champion Colin and rally driver Alister, will get behind the wheel of his Eddie Stobart-sponsored Mk2 Ford Escort, which he is contesting the MSA British Historic Rally Championship in this season, to lead the field on the event.
Pendragon Stages Clerk of the Course, Tim Foster, said: “It’s a massive boost for the event to get someone of the calibre of Jimmy McRae out there driving the course car and we’re pleased to have him on board. He will provide some entertainment driving his rear wheel drive Mk2.”
A full entry of 110 cars will start the rally, with a massive 150 entries received by the organisers for the 65-mile tarmac event, which is once again sponsored by WA Developments and will take in stages across Warcop and Lowther Park.
Foster added: “We’ve had a huge demand for entries this year, I just can’t believe that we’ve had 150. It’s been such a hard job to have to turn people away from the event but it just shows how popular the rally has become.”
New for the 2007 event is a ramp in Penrith town centre. Whilst the rally will not start in the town, cars will visit the ramp for a 'chat' with the commentator en route from first service out to the second visit of Warcop around 11.30am – 1.30pm and finish at the ramp in the town centre, with the public and rally fans being able to get close to the competitors and their machinery.
The Pendragon Stages is a round of the ANWCC, ANCC, ANECCC, North of England, SD34 and the Scottish Tarmack championships. This year the event also welcomes the Borders Stage Rally Championship competitors.
As well as having the opportunity to see the cars in Penrith town centre, spectators are also welcome to watch in Lowther Park. Spectators will not be allowed access to the Warcop Army ranges, however marshals will be welcomed. | 
