RallyDay - Castle Combe Saturday Sept 17
Spectators at this year's Rallyday are in for a rare treat when Mini World Rally Championship driver Kris Meeke uses the popular annual event at Castle Combe to test the John Cooper Works WRC before the final two asphalt rounds of the series in France and Spain later in the autumn.
Meeke's attendance at Rallyday on Saturday September 17 was confirmed earlier this week. Ford will also send a factory Fiesta RS WRC to the Wiltshire track, although no decision has been taken on who will drive the car.
Meeke said: "The last time I was at the Rallyday was seven years ago so to come back after all this time and debut the Mini will be pretty special. It will also be my first time back in the car since Rallye Deutschland, so it will be great to get some more time behind the wheel on tarmac as we build up to our next events in France and Spain.
"We'll be using the event to do some further development of the car, but I'll also be looking to have some fun and to entertain the crowds too."
As well as the Mini and Ford, there will be several other attractions at the event, including a celebration of the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, with examples being driven by British champions Russell Brookes and Jimmy McRae.
The Race2Recovery team, made up of injured servicemen, will also be attending in the Wildcat which they are hoping to use on January's Dakar. The team's driver coach Ben Collins will be offering a limited number of rides in the car for £250 - with all proceeds going to Race2Recovery.
8th September, 2011