Motor Sport - Bird aims to go one better in Malcolm Wilson (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Motor Sport - Bird aims to go one better in Malcolm Wilson

2:35pm Thursday 3rd March 2011 in Sport

FRESH from his second place on the opening round of the BTRDA season, Penrith’s Paul Bird is hoping to take the win at the Malcolm Wilson Rally which takes place from Cockermouth this Saturday.

Winner of last month’s event in Chepstow, Andy Burton, will also be making the trip to Cumbria and his Cosworth powered 6R4 will be making its presence heard between the trees.

Hoping to take the fight to them over the 45 competitive miles will be West Cumbrian residents Richard Cook, Peter Thornton both in Imprezas , Phil Lilley in his traditionally powered Metro 6R4 and William Jarman in his Escort Cosworth.

Local favourites Marcus Noble, Phil Jobson, Geoff Wilson all in their Escort Mk IIs and Mark Shaw who will be using his Talbot Sunbeam TI in his usual infamous style will be contesting the event.

After the cancellation of last December’s Grizedale Stages, motorsport fans are looking forward to the 17-mile event.

Morecambe’s Phil Burton in his Westgate Tyres sponsored Escort Mk II will also be seen powering through the Grizedale, Whinlatter and Greystoke stages.

Carnforth based Thomas Stephenson, Dave Edwards and Burton’s Dave Head were all entered in December’s Grizedale Stages which was cancelled due to the packed ice and snow in the forest and so are more than ready for their outing .

Spectators can see the action in Grizedale North from 11.55 and over the 10 miles of Grizedale South from 12.15.

Car parking is at High Cross off the B5285 where signs will direct you to the stages, but visitors are instructerd do not go through Satterthwaite and instead follow the marshals’ instruction.

Spectators can see the action in Whinlatter Complex from 8.45 in Comb, 9.00 in Hobcarton then 9.50 at Greystoke before the cars leave service at Penrith Truckstop for the Grizedale stages.

After a further service at Truckstop upon their return from the South Lakes they take on a further stage in Greystoke running in the opposite direction at 14.30 and Wythop at 15.20 before the winner is announced on the ramp on Cockermouth’s Main Street.

Car parking is at Whinlatter Visitor Centre for the Whinlatter stages and in by following the signs to the designated area ajasent to the Greystoke stage.

Results and live updates will be available through the event website to www.tynecomp.co.uk/AboutLiveResults.html.