Myerscough revved up for North West Stages

The Legend Fires North West Stages was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but excitement is now building for the 2022 event. Once again Myerscough College will be providing the event’s official Rally Headquarters and the central service area for competitors.

Myerscough’s team of Danny Cowell & Liam Whiteley Motorsport will debut Danny's student-built Talbot Samba, while Bart Lang & Phil Boyle will contest the event in the Myerscough College Motorsport Fiesta R2, and local driver Anthony Harrison will hire the College’s Nissan Micra.

Students from Level 3 BTEC, FdSc and BSc Motorsport, and a contingent of Agricultural Machinery Engineering study programmes will run the three cars on this closed road asphalt event.

As if that wasn't enough, they have the additional responsibility of running two more cars on the event, the Mitsubishi of Howard Price and historic Hillman Avenger of John Livermore.

The rally has also provided the opportunity for Myerscough to engage in a community outreach initiative. Last week, motorsport tutor Bart Lang took the College’s Fiesta to meet local primary school children at St Mary's RC in Chipping and Thorneyholme School in Dunsop Bridge, to help highlight both the sport and the event to the younger generation.

In a statement, the organisers said: ‘’Myerscough College is once again providing its extensive facilities for the 2022 event. The choice of the College for the rally headquarters is a no-brainer as geographically it’s adjacent to the Garstang town centre ceremonial start and finish, and it is close to the Saturday action making it the ideal location for central servicing.

‘’The College boasts a rally heritage having a long-established motorsport department with stage rallying a core element of their activities and a number of lecturers having strong links to the sport. It has long established links with a number of Lancashire based Motor Clubs who have been instrumental in the organising of the event for many years.

‘’By bringing the rally to Myerscough and engaging with staff and students, that in itself provides valuable educational benefits providing first-hand experience of the running of a major motorsport event. All in all, it’s a win, win scenario for both the College and the rally organisers.’’

In total, 125 cars are set to compete in the event, which is the only closed road rally in the north west of England.

There’s a scrutineering and documentation event at the College at noon on Friday, where attendees can get up close and personal with the latest high-performance rally cars.

This is followed by a ceremonial start at 6.30pm on Garstang High Street, which will involve the town crier and samba drummers. Drivers will also be taking part in interviews on the start ramp, with local and national crews poised to take part.

The rally begins on Saturday at 8am from Myerscough College.

There will be three spectator viewing areas:

The RandG Fluid Power Group Beacon Fell Stage will be held at 8am, 12 noon and 3.15pm, with spectators arriving at least one and half hours before the first competition car.

The Sharrocks Long Knots Stage will be held at 8.45am, 12.15pm and 3.15pm just after the start of the stage with a chicane.

The SandW Fabrications, New Breed UK Nicky Nook Stage will be held at 9.30am, 12.50pm and 4.15pm at Scorton Showground off Gubberford Lane.

Spectators will also get the chance to see the vehicles being worked on at the main service area  from 8am to 4pm.

There will be a ceremonial champagne spraying finish at Garstang High Street from 5.30pm to 10pm - this will include winners' processions and ramp interviews/

Awards will be presented at a special presentation at Guy’s Thatched Hamlet, St Michael’s Lane, at 9pm, where the official overall and class award winners will receive their trophies.

Parking is available at Scorton Showground (Nicky Nook Stage) and Chipping Showground (Long Knotts Stage), with parking on the approach lanes not acceptable. The cost to park at Scorton Showground and Chipping Showground will be £10 per car (includes four adults).

Additional Passengers: £5 per person

Pedestrian Access: £5 per person

Children under 16 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

For more information, click here