RALLY organiser Tim Foster has pulled off a major coup by enlisting five-times British champ Jimmy McRae to drive the course car on this weekend's Pendragon Stages.

Foster, who lives in Oswaldtwistle, is acting as clerk-of-the-course on the Cumbria-based event and has a long-standing friendship with McRae, father of Britain's first world rally champion Colin.

"To get someone of Jimmy's cailbre out there driving the course car is a fantastic boost for the rally, the spectators and the organisers," said Foster.

"He's promised to bring along the Eddie Stobart-sponsored Ford Escort he is using on this year's British Historic Rally Championship.

"For most British rally fans, Jimmy is a legend and although his times won't count, I'm sure he'll be very entertaining!"

Their assocation goes back to the much-missed Proflex Stages, a rally organised by Foster and his team from Clitheroe and district motor club at the Leyland test track.

A hugely-popular club event, the Proflex was sadly axed three years ago when the site was sold for re-development - but not before a memorable final rally which saw Jimmy, Colin and Alister McRae all competing.

This weekend's Pendragon Stages has attracted a full entry of 110 cars, with over 40 applications turned down for 65 tarmac miles on the Warcop army ranges and Lowther Park.

"We've had a huge demand for entries this year. I just can't believe that we've had 150," added Foster.

"It's been such a hard job turning people away from the event but it just shows how popular the rally has become."

New for the 2007 event is a ramp in Penrith town centre. Whilst the rally will not start in the town, cars will visit the ramp for a chat' with the commentator en route from first service out to the second visit of Warcop around 11.30am - 1.30pm and finish at the ramp in the town centre, with the public and rally fans being able to get close to the competitors and their machinery.

As well as having the opportunity to see the cars in Penrith town centre, spectators are also welcome to watch in Lowther Park, but will not be allowed access to the Warcop Army ranges.

Other East Lancashire competitors include Tim Finch, Neil Bye (Impreza), Malcolm Mawdsley, Kris Killip (Impreza), Steve Lewis, Jamie Foster (Impreza), James Howard and Charles Woodward (Impreza).

For more information visit: www.pendragonstages.co.uk.