Rallying

JUHA KANKKUNEN, the Finnish rally driver, may have a healthy lead in the world championship with two events remaining, but next month's British leg, the Network Q RAC Rally from 21 to 24 November, will provide a demanding conclusion to the season.

With the leading drivers, like the Frenchmen, Francois Delecour and Didier Auriol, and Colin McRae, the Scot who is fifth in the championship at present, on view, this year's rally starts and finishes in Birmingham. In between, the rally will feature 35 high-speed special stages in forests, parkland, stately homes and racing circuits, taking the drivers through the Midlands, mid and north Wales, the Lake District, the Scottish Borders, North- east England and Yorkshire.

The first day of the rally is designed to allow spectators to watch the cars at a number of stately homes and racing circuits in the Midlands and northern England with easy access, parking and facilities.

For a complete guide, Rally Publications, of Belfast, produces a rally pack for pounds 5.95 plus pounds 1.95 postage and packing.

The comprehensive pack contains maps of the daily through routes, together with a detailed stages book that includes maps. The official programme outlines the rally, includes stage details and costs pounds 3 plus pounds 1.50 postage and packing.

Network Q RAC Rally, 21-24 November.

First leg (Sunday): Start: Centenary Square, Birmingham (7.30am). Special stage 1: Sutton Park (six miles north of Birmingham city centre; 7.57am). SS2: Weston Park (seven miles east of Telford on A5; 8.45am). SS3: Oulton Park racing circuit (five miles north-east of Tarporley, Cheshire, off A49; 10.30am). SS4: Tatton Park (one mile north of Knutsford, Cheshire, on A50; 11.29am). SS5: Chatsworth House (nine miles west of Chesterfield, Derbyshire; 1.25pm). SS6: Clumber Park (four miles south of Worksop; 2.45pm). SS7/8: Donington Park circuit (2 1/2 miles west of M1, near Castle Donington; 4.30pm). Finish of leg: Centenary Square, Birmingham (7.50pm). Apart from the start and finish, admission charges to all first-leg stages are pounds 6 adults, pounds 1 children under-16.

Second leg (Monday): Birmingham to Lancaster. Third leg (Tuesday): Lancaster to Gateshead. Fourth leg (Wednesday): Gateshead to Birmingham.

Rally Publications, 97-99 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JN. (Tel: 0232-323536 and 323163 fax).