Network Q RAC Rally 23-25 November 1997

 The event will be based at Cheltenham Racecourse, where the entire rally organisation will be located, including service area, parc ferme and, of course, the hugely successful pre-event Network Q RAC Rally Show.

For the first time ever, the Network Q RAC Rally will return to the same host town every night, and the Racecourse itself will host at least three special stages.

Rally Manager Malcolm Neill: "Cheltenham Racecourse is one of the largest and most spectacular permanent sporting facilities anywhere in Great Britain. It gives us an opportunity to take the Network Q RAC Rally into the next century at a venue with the space and the vision to accomodate our ambitious plans for the growth of the event.

"The geographical location in southern England is superb for spectators, for media and for most of our competitors and it also enables us to visit many new special stage venues."

The 1997 Network Q RAC Rally starts on Sunday 23 November with the traditional spectator stages at stately homes, race circuits and public parks. However, this first leg will cover less than 250 miles (400 kilometres), a substantial reduction on past years.

Leg 2, on Monday 24 November, includes over 110 miles (180 kms) of special stages, mainly in central and west Wales. Leg 3, on Tuesday 25 November, includes over 100 miles (160 kms) of special stages, mainly in south Wales. Full details of the route will be published in the next few weeks.

 The move to Cheltenham ends a period during which Chester hosted the rally for four of the last five years and -- with eight visits in total -- became the most popular city in the event's history. Said Malcolm Neill: "We shall be sad to leave Chester, which has been a marvellous base for the last three years, but we felt that the time was right to move the rally to a venue which could offer greater flexibility, to host special stages and to avoid an overnight halt away from Rally HQ." Continues...