AN all-new motorsport event takes to the road next weekend, after two years on the drawing board, writes NEIL JOHNSON.

The North West Stages rally has attracted a capacity 90-car entry, including the multiple EARS/Motoring News champion John Price.

Organised by a consortium of NW motor clubs, including Lancashire & Cheshire, Bolton-le-Moors, Knutsford and district, Chester, Stockport, Wallasey and Warrington, the rally will be utilising three well-known motorsport venues.

Starting on Saturday morning from Park Hall at Charnock Richard, competitors tackle fifty miles special stages at the Three Sisters circuit at Ince-in Makerfield, Camelot theme park, and Haigh Hall, near Wigan.

"As well as providing an excellent days entertainment for both drivers and spectators , we will also be raising money for the well-known Roy Castle Cause for Hope Foundation," explained spokesman Marco Toni.

"Spectators will be well catered for at all three sites, with all the competing cars passing through each of the venues at least four times during the day.

"We also have a suprise for the drivers, with a brand new stage never used before for motorsport, which promises to be very exciting, although spectators will not be permitted.

"Although this is a new venture, we have been pleasantly suprised by the quality of the entry we have received, and it's shaping up to be a cracking event."

Top-seeded Price will be joined by fellow Metro 6R4 drivers Peter Lloyd and Billy MacMillan, Mike Oates (Subaru Impreza), Lyndon Barton and Martin Fox (Ford Escort Cosworth). Early entries from East Lancashire include John Cressey/John kettlewell (Opel Manta), Steve Lewis/Paul Megretton (Vauxhall Nova), Peter Heys/Mark Robinson (Lada Riva), David and Daniel Barritt (Opel Manta) and Robert Milne/Nigel Crosby (Peugeot 205GTi).

Nigel Worswick will also be making an appearance, but not in a competitive role.

The Blackburn driver, who has been contesting the Mintex National Rally Series this year, will use his Sierra Cosworth 4x4 as course opening car.

Further details are available from rally secretary Martin Pratt tel: 01244 347245, or if you want to get closer to the action and register as a course marshal, then the Chief Marshal Richard Morris (0151 339 6751) would be delighted to hear from you.

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