LEGENDARY rally driver Markku Alén will attend the 14th edition of Rallyday at Castle Combe on September 20.
Alén, who won 19 FIA World Rally Championship events during his career and who also took the FIA Driver’s Cup in 1978, will make his first appearance at the event and will be reunited with two cars he campaigned during his illustrious career.
The Finn is currently scheduled to drive a Lancia Delta S4 – as he drove in the mid-1980s – and the Toyota Celica GT4 that took him to fourth on the 1992 Lombard RAC Rally.
The 63-year-old will demonstrate both cars in the headline Castrol Edge Feature Stage and will also appear on the main Rallyday interview stage to reflect on his career.
Alén was famously World Rally champion for 11 days in 1986, before the results of the Sanremo Rally, which he won, were annulled. He then famously boycotted the 1987 Monte Carlo Rally in protest.
“I’m really looking forward to coming to Rallyday for the first time. I have heard so much about the event and can’t wait to see it for myself.
“It will also be great to drive the Delta S4 and the Celica GT4 again. I have some fond – and also not so fond memories of those cars! It should be a great day,” said Alén, who joins one of a number of star drivers already confirmed, including 1979 World Rally champion Björn Waldegård and British Rally champions David Llewellin and Gwyndaf Evans.
Rallyday organiser Darin Frow said: “It's very rare to see Markku in the UK so Jo and I are overjoyed that he's accepted our invitation to attend Rallyday 2014.
“His visit coincides perfectly with the strong Italian line-up at this year's show and to have the opportunity to see him once again behind the wheel of an original Delta S4 as well as the actual Toyota Celica GT4 he drove to fourth place on the 1992 Lombard RAC Rally will be unforgettable.”
Tickets for Rallyday 2014 are on sale now, with advance tickets for adults costing £15 (if booked before September 5) or £20 on the day. Accompanied U16 go free. See rallyday.com.
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