ALL'S WELL FOR THE RALLY
A LITTLE bit more manual snow clearing and a great deal more thaw means tomorrow's Express and Star British national car rally will be over the full route as originally planned by the organisers, Wolverhampton and South Staffs Car Club (writes the Express and Star motoring correspondent).
A final reconnaissance of the full course was made yesterday, and afterwards. Richard Binns who, with Harry Morgan, of Cannock, is joint clerk of the course, said “We shall be able to use all the original route. We had to clear about ten yards of snow from one road with shovels, but effort was worth while."
Less than week ago arrangements had been a made to reroute a short part of the 200-mile course and to resite four controls. Now the route has been restored in full.
Subject to last minute withdrawals, of which few are expected, the 160 compete in this, one of the top rallies in the R.A.C.'s national calendar, will start at minute intervals from the premises of Staffordshire Motor Tyre Co. Ltd., Chapel-Ash, Wolverhampton, tomorrow night from 9.30 p.m. onwards.
The rally finishes at Llandrindod Wells at dawn on Sunday.
Before the start there will be a presentation to club officials of the " Rally of the Year " award for 1962 by a group of experienced and top grade drivers and navigators calling themselves "Ecurie Cod Fillet."
The award takes the form of a silver leaping fish on a plinth.AT a time when, for one reason or another, the entry list of British national car rallies have been shrinking, both the sponsors and the organisers of tonights "Express and Star" national event count themselves flattered with an entry of 180 cars-five more than last year. Former rally driver, Harry Morgan and currently expert navigator, Richard Binns who are respectively clerk of the course and deputy clerk and on who's shoulders most of the detailed course planning has rested, say they believe the Express and Star is the first national rally this year to show this increase in its entries.