THE organisers of this month’s Pendragon Stages have urged competitors to get their entry in – or be disappointed.

Clerk-of-the-course Tim Foster, from Oswaldtwistle, reckons that the last thirty places are likely to be snapped up fast.

He said: “We’ve already got 90 entries, so the message is get your pen and somebody’s cheque book and send off an entry straight away.”

Organised jointly by Kirkby Lonsdale, Eden Valley and Northallerton Motor Clubs on August 30, the Pendragon enjoys a reputation as one of the best one-day rallies in the country, with 80 miles of stages on offer, and is a round of no less than seven major rally championships.

It also enjoys high-profile support from Stobart Rail, and last year’s event was won by Stobart Rail boss William Stobart, who had former Boyzone star Shane Lynch alongside as co-driver.

Stobart is back to defend his title, and he's joined by former works Vauxhall driver Neil Wearden in his self-built Ford Escort.

East Lancashire entries include David Stubbs/Terry Martin (Ford Escort) and Rob Brown-Kenna/Chris Campbell (Vauxhall Nova); And competitors will enjoy an extra ten miles of stages this year, as Foster explained: “We have managed to reroute the Warcop stages to get more mileage from this fantastic venue.

“They will continue to include the ‘mini-yumps’ that have been successfully constructed to ‘soften’ the speed bumps over the six long stages on the Ranges.

“Combined with two pairs of fast stages in Lowther Park and the adjacent short, but demanding ‘Spectator Special’ run twice in each direction, it now makes up 80 smooth competitive miles over 14 stages.”

For more information about the event, visit the race website, which can be found at the link below.