Network Q RAC Rally 23-25 November 1997

                         CLIMACTIC COUNTDOWN BEGINS



              * McRae victory sets up World Championship showdown



              * Thrust SSC to appear at Network Q RAC Rally Show



                    * Frequencies announced for Rally Radio



Championship Showdown



Following Colin McRae's win in this weekend's API Rally Australia, the

British star is all set to launch a final assault for this year's World

Rally crown at the championship finale, the Network Q RAC Rally on 23-25

November.



McRae must win the Network Q RAC Rally and needs Tommi Makinen to score no

points. McRae said "Now I just have to give it everything I have got on the

RAC Rally, to have a fight like this is just fantastic."



Supersonic Thrust to appear at Rally Show



Thrust SSC adds supersonic appeal to the Network Q RAC Rally Show on

Saturday 22 November, when the 54ft twin-jet record breaker will be part of

the fantastic line-up of attractions at Cheltenham Racecourse. Also present

will be Richard Noble, the man behind the Thrust project.



The Castrol-sponsored car will appear at the show fresh from its highly

publicised supersonic record-breaking feats in Nevada's Black Rock Desert

on Wednesday 15th October. Visitors to the show will be able to admire the

astonishing feat of British engineering first hand, and hear thrilling

accounts of the adventure from its project leader.



Thrust SSC will appear on Saturday 22nd November, the first day of the

action-packed two-day show which is hosted by BBC personality and motor

sport fan Mike Smith. Other highlights include a fantastic line-up of

driver and team interviews, the Red Devils, impressive manufacturer

displays, live music and an awe-inspiring Live Action Arena featuring

non-stop motorised thrills.



Frequencies Announced For Rally Radio



Rally fans will enjoy the services of their own dedicated radio station for

the first time this year, when Rally Radio covers the Sunday spectator

stages of the Network Q RAC Rally. This launch marks the first step of an

ambitious programme to cover the whole event in future years.



Fans will not only be able to watch the high-speed thrills taking place in

front of them, but can also listen to live commentary of action from all

five of the other Sunday special stage venues. Rally Radio will broadcast

on two frequencies - 87.7FM will cover the areas in and around Rally

Headquarters at Cheltenham, plus the spectator stages at Blenheim,

Millbrook and Silverstone; 1602MW will cover the areas in and around

Donington Park and Woburn.



Rally Radio starts broadcasting on Friday 21st November between 1800 and

2200, setting the scene for the event as final preparations are made. From

Saturday 22nd November until Tuesday, 25th November, Rally Radio will be on

air from 0600 to 2300 each day. The programming line-up will include live

coverage from all Sunday's spectator stages, plus experienced reporters

based at each of the event's all-important service areas.