Stone fired up by NW Stages

12:26pm Thursday 14th February 2008

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IT'S a full-house entry for this weekend's Legend Fires North West Stages Rally, the biggest annual motor sport event in the region.

And with 120 cars and crews due to start, hundreds of spectators are expected to flock to Blackpool's North Promenade where the action will get underway just after 8.00am with a ceremonial send off close to the town's North Pier.

After being flagged away by Blackpool Mayor Coun. Robert Wynne, competitors go straight in to the opening pair of timed to the second special stages along Blackpool's famous Promenade.

Starting as favourites will be previous four-times winners of the rally and current National Tarmac Championship holders Steve Simpson and Mark Booth in their Hyundai Accent WRC.

But rally sponsor John Stone, from Blackburn, and co-driver Lee Carter are sure to offer some stiff competition in their MG Metro 6R4.

This isn't however a rally for the inexperienced or faint hearted as over 80 miles of timed-to-the second competition over six venues spread across the Fylde will decide the winner.

This is the eleventh running of this highly popular rally which is once again a qualifying round of the Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship, ANWCC PEC Tyres Stage Rally Championship, Kent Cams ANCC Rally Championship, and the SD34 Rally Championship.

The event is recognised as the best opportunity for rally crews in the North West of England to sample a true sealed surface event which this year will include six separate venues giving a total of 85 stage miles with a compact road route.

This has been confirmed in recent years having been voted best rally in the ANWCC Stage Rally Championship 3 times and once in the Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship.

The rally's organisers represent some of the best motor clubs in the region and all are well versed in the art of providing tough and demanding rallies, whilst still allowing competitors and spectators a full days enjoyment.

It's more than just a sporting event though. Since its inception ten years ago, the North West Stages has raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes and this year an Oswaldtwistle School is to be among the main beneficiaries.

Broadfield School caters for children with learning difficulties and takes children aged from 4 to 16 from a large area. The school also houses Stone Hey', a special unit for young children with autism.

It is thanks to John Stone that Broadfield will benefit from this year's rally as his son Alex, 10, is a pupil.

Stone, whose Blackburn-based Legend Fires business sponsors the rally, explained: "Alex has come on leaps and bounds since joining the school.

"He used to be a little withdrawn but he's far more interactive now with the other children.

"It's all down to the teachers and staff they're a fantastic group of people who do a truly wonderful and most professional job."