MINI Sport driver Steve Entwistle is targeting a top five finish and a class win when he contests this week’s 2017 RAC Rally of the Tests in Paddy Hopkirk’s famous Mini, 6 EMO.
Entwistle, who lives in Rishton, near Blackburn, won his class in the same event last year after finishing 14th overall.
A recreation of the old-style RAC Rallies from the 1950’s, the format of driving tests and navigational exercises in historic cars attracts competitors from all over Europe and Scandinavia.
He won’t be able to win the rally outright, as the regulations only permit drivers of pre-1962 cars to be eligible, but the 2015 HRCR Clubmans champion is hoping to be among the frontrunners ‘on the road’ .
And he’s aiming to make the most of his local knowledge on the four-day event, which starts in Chester and finishes in Harrogate.
“One of the sections goes within ten miles of my home, so I’d like to think I’ll know some of the roads we will be using,” he said.
“I’ve been competing on northern road rallies for almost 30 years, I need to make the most of any advantage that may give me.”
Entwistle also has one of Britain’s top navigators, Ali Proctor, in the left-hand seat.
The Newcastle-based mapman is on top form this year, winning the Flying Scotsman and the Throckmorton Challenge with Paul Crosby.
Entwistle and Proctor enjoyed a successful ‘shakedown’ outing with 6 EMO on the Vale of Clywd Classic in September, finishing fifth overall, winning the M1 Masters class, and collecting the prestigious Pierce rosebowl, awarded each year to the highest placed Mini.
Despite a ten-month lay-off from rallying – he was busy rebuilding his ex-Roy Mapple Orangebox Mini – Entwistle was happy with his performance on the event, which included two outright fastest times.
But he’s under no illusions about the task ahead.
“The Rally of the Tests statistics are a bit of an eye-opener for anyone who thinks it’s a gentle jaunt in the country for old cars.
“The organisers, the Historic Endurance Rally Organisation (HERO) have put on a stunning event, which will test cars and crews to the limit. It’s acknowledged as the toughest classic rally in Europe, and over three-and-a-half days there are 30 special tests and 20 regularities over a total distance of 750 miles.
“We are in the car for a minimum of 12 hours each day covering at least 250 miles and there’s no let-up - apart from the 45-minute lunch halt."
Entwistle also acknowledged the part that rally legend Paddy Hopkirk and Mini Sport of Padiham have played in him competing on the event.
“It’s incredibly generous of Paddy to loan me 6 EMO. He won the 1990 Pirelli Marathon in it, and the car is almost as famous as he is. It’s looked after by Mini Sport of Padiham, and it’s thanks to Chris Harper and the team that I’ll be out there hoping to maintain the winning tradition.”
One hundred cars and crews will set off from Carden Park near Chester on Thursday afternoon for a series of special tests and regularities – all in the dark.
Friday’s leg from Chester to Darlington takes the Derbyshire Dales and the Pennines before the overnight halt at Redworth Hall.
Day three sees survivors exploring new territory in northern Cumbria before a return to Darlington.
The final leg takes in the Vale of York ahead of an afternoon finish at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate.
For more information on the RAC Rally of the Tests and spectators information visit
www.heroevents.eu.
