The Gloves are off for a Title Fight at the Tempest Rally

01 November 2004

Another exhilarating Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship season is drawing to a close and the Tempest South of England Rally looks set to host one of the closest final rounds in recent years. With everything still to play for, the competitors will be pulling out all the stops to secure those all important Championship points.

Not content with two wins already this season, Team Suzuki's Guy Wilks is back from the Junior World Rally Championship to help co-driver Phil Pugh claim the co-driver title. Wilks has already secured the 2004 British Super 1600 Rally Champion and British Junior Rally Champion titles, but Pugh still needs four points to end the season victorious. Another win would be a fitting end to a fantastic season for the duo.

Wilks also has his eye on the British Teams Championship and hopes to secure the cup for Dealer Team Suzuki, who is currently second, behind M Sport. It's all there for the taking and Wilks is keen to end the season on a high note.

Lorna Smith also hopes to go home with two titles on Saturday. If all goes well she will be crowned Ladies Champion as well as leading the pack to clinch the Production Cup Driver's trophy. Kate Heath and Jennie-Lee Hermansson aren't going to give up the Ladies title without a fight. And Smith also has to go head to head with Hermansson and Dorian Rees to claim the Production Cup title, ensuring more dramatic battles over the weekend.

The overall driver's championship is too close to call and is sure to have fans on the edge of their seats. Austin McHale has a comfortable lead on 103 points, but he won't be resting on his laurels going into the final round. Matthew Wilson and David Higgins will be giving him a run for his money in this exciting final clash for the ultimate title.

Marshals will also be in with a chance of winning some top prizes at the Tempest Rally. In recognition of their dedication and commitment to the event, there will be prize draws for marshals on each stage. One lucky marshal will win a full day's rallying courtesy of Silverstone Rally School.

Mark Taylor, Championship Manager, comments, "This has been an outstanding season for the British Rally Championship and the Tempest Rally is going to be a fitting finale. With more competitive miles than ever before, this event is setting a new standard and brings hoards of supporters keen to cheer on the teams and soak up the atmosphere. Local hotels are fully booked as some of the UK’s finest rally crews and thousands of spectators flock to the Rally, which is set to boost the local economy by half a million pounds  another triumph for the Championship as a whole.

"A spectacular fireworks display and bonfire is going to round off two days of rally action and ensure everyone ends the season on a high. With more trophies up for grabs, the teams will be taking their skills to the limit in the final hours, as every second will count. This is sure to be one of the most exciting events of the season and brings the 2004 Championship to a dramatic close."

See 2005 series calendar for British Rally Championship

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