A NEW sponsor for the Kirby Lonsdale Motor Club Stage Rally Championship has come forward to back the area's premier club series for 2002 in the shape of ProPrep, a locally based company which prepares Group 4 Escort Mk IIs, hence the web address www.grp4escort.co.uk.

Although the first round of the series, the Malcolm Wilson Rally, took place at the beginning of the month, deals are now available for those contesting the championship which, with no registration fee, will attract its usual quality entry.

The KLMC stage Rally Championship in association with www.grp4escort.co.uk , is contested over 10 rounds with the best six scores counting towards trophies at the end of the year.

If any experienced co-drivers fancy some action this year, Scorton's Darren Atkinson is looking for a willing volunteer to contest the Forest rounds of the series which include the Astra Clubman on April 13, Lion Stages on May 12, York Rally on September 29 and Grizedale Stages on December 7 with the possibility of some more events throughout the year.

The tarmac rounds of the championship includes Weeton Stage, June 16 and September 22, SMC Alsecure Stages on July 6/7 and Croft Sprint Stages on November 2.

There is another date to be added to the tarmac calendar once a convenient date has been found.

Previous winners of the series have gone on to become British Junior Champions in the shape of Neil Wearden and Wayne Sisson while others have found success in the BTRDA stage, as in Rob Wright and Ian Joel, which suggests the series is a good training ground for ongoing success.