Ari Vatanen at Rallyday 2006

Former World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen will be starring at the UK’s Premier Rally Car show which takes place at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire on Saturday 22 July.

Ari Vatanen, now in a rather different hot seat as a Member of European Parliament, still remains one of the world’s most respected rallying celebrities and has a hugely enthusiastic following in the UK. This year marks 25 years since Ari won the 1981 World Rally Championship in the iconic Rothmans Ford Escort, and joining him once again in the passenger seat will be his original Championship winning co-driver David Richards CBE.

Former Rothmans Rally Team Manager David Sutton, along with several members of his original rally team and a selection of genuine and replica Rothmans Escorts from the enthusiasts at www.rothmansescorts.com will be central to the celebrations. Completing the World Championship reunion will be the most famous of all Rothmans Escorts, VLE 756X, which is rarely seen outside the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. The car will be reunited with Vatanen and Richards at Rallyday and driven in front of an estimated 10,000 crowd to mark this very special occasion.

Other attractions at Rallyday 2006 include the 25th Anniversary of Talbot winning the Manufacturer’s World Rally Championship with the Sunbeam Lotus. Former British Rally Champion Russell Brookes will be driving the original Andrews Heat for Hire sponsored Sunbeam Lotus, and the Sunbeam Lotus Owners Club will have 40 cars and 5 ex-works rally cars on display at the show.

In addition, celebrating Lancia’s centenary, the Lancia Motor Club will be hosting a major display of evocative Italian machinery at the event. Highlighting the companies rallying pedigree will be a collection some of the world’s most iconic rally cars including Lancia Fulvia, Stratos, 037, S4 and Delta Integrale.

Further details of the 2006 programme, including the names of the star drivers, teams and attractions attending the show, will be confirmed in forthcoming press releases as well as listed on the Rallyday website.

For anyone not familiar with the event, Rallyday is an annual show which gives visitors a chance to enjoy the spectacle of seeing a wide range of rally cars, and rally stars, in an open and spectator friendly environment. It comprises live action on the track with static displays in the paddock, and has something to offer everyone from the rally enthusiast to a family looking for an enjoyable day out.

Advance tickets are now on sale priced at just £10 per adult and £2 per child. Tickets will also be avaliable on the day at £12 per adult and £3 per child. Ticket booking in addition to information on track sessions, paddock parking, trade stands and spectator information, can all be found at Rallyday’s website www.rallyday.com

For media information, please contact Colin Wilson (tel 0780 282 8880).