[A]n extra day of action on Friday 2 March, has been added to this year’s Malcolm Wilson Rally and will take place in Cockermouth town centre.
The town’s beautiful tree-lined Main Street will welcome rallying enthusiasts of all ages to experience a day of fast-paced family fun, with the help of a £2,000 contribution from Allerdale Borough Council.
For the first time in years, scrutineering will take place on Friday afternoon and evening, allowing spectators to get up close and personal with the competing vehicles, taking in the sights and sounds of a competitive rally all whilst enjoying Cockermouth’s array of wonderful independent shops and eateries.
This year’s event sees the rally organisers join forces with the 2017 FIA World Rally Champions, M-Sport.
Event goers will have an opportunity to set eyes on the dazzling FIA World Rally Championship Trophy for Manufacturers on a rare leave of absence from the M-Sport trophy cabinet, as well as the race suit worn by the world’s best rally driver – five-time World Champion, Sébastien Ogier.
The Cumbrian team are also planning to bring one of their rally cars to the event – giving on-lookers an up-close look at the engineering expertise that goes on behind the scenes at Dovenby Hall – and there will even be an opportunity for the younger fans to get a selfie or two in the drivers’ seat.
M-Sport Team Principle, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “I’m excited to share our success with the public at this year’s Malcolm Wilson Rally, last year was an amazing year for us all at Dovenby Hall. The whole of the M-Sport team stepped up another level to bring the titles back to Cumbria and those final 20 minutes of Dayinsure Wales Rally GB are something that I will never forget. The event this year should prove a real draw for spectators who have not previously had an opportunity to view the preliminaries due to space and security restrictions at Dovenby Hall.”
Alan Smith, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council, added: “I am delighted that the Council will be supporting this year’s Malcolm Wilson Rally event. M-Sport’s recent success has brought a global spotlight to the company and the area. It will be great to see families and rally fanatics descend on Cockermouth town centre in celebration of this fantastic event, while also giving a boost to the local economy.”
The road through Main Street will be closed for the scrutineering event from 12pm on Friday 2 March. The event will officially get underway at 2pm with Main Street reopening later that evening at 11pm.
