A Rally Good Curtain Raiser Heads To Anglesey Circuit

By Paul Evans

Rallying returns to Anglesey Circuit this weekend with the Tilemaster Adhesives Lee Holland Memorial Stages on Sunday 17 March – providing the perfect curtain raiser to what promises to be an action-packed season of motorsport at the venue.

Jointly organised by the Pendle & District and Preston & Garstang Motor Clubs, the event, now in its 26th year, returns with a brand new sponsor and a bumper 60 plus car entry.

The event – which is the penultimate round of the 2018/19 Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship in association with MSVR, featuring the Michelin Cup and the Protyre Challenge – will see drivers tackle eight challenging stages, featuring tyre chicanes, off-road sections and even the circuit running in the wrong direction.

Chris West could successfully defend his title with a strong result in his iconic Peugeot 306 Maxi, but will face stiff competition once again from former Le Mans 24 hours winner Guy Smith, who most recently took his second MNCRC victory of the season at Donington two weeks ago. British Touring Car Championship fans will get another glimpse of Paul O’Neil, as the brother of Spice Girl Melanie C returns to the circuit in a Mazda MX5. Event sponsor Mark Kelly, three-time event winner Will Owen, and second in series Stephen Tilburn, lead the charge of the older machinery in their Ford Escort Mk2s.