KINGSWINFORD driver Rob Hayden is set to compete in the Rally of the Midlands this weekend.

Rally competitors will come out in force for the event on Friday and Saturday when modern rally machinery meet the iconic Group B cars of the 80s and 90s at Mallory Park.

The event will also include special stages at MIRA and the Merevale Estate, Atherstone.

Group B cars ruled the world of international rallying as the cars and drivers competed on five day events that tested both to their limits.

However, they was also very dangerous times, not only for the drivers but also the spectators as the cars where simply too fast and the spectators too close, so rallying rules had to change and in 1987 Group B was banned.

The Rally of the Midlands organisers have successfully twinned the spectacular Group B cars with the competitors in the Kingsway Insurance Heart of England Rally Championship and will see familiar local competitors, Adrian Mayall and Chris Woodhouse, both of Kidderminster, and Rob Hayden from Kingswinford, competing against top UK rally men Martin Hodgson, Damian Cole and Andy Fraser for both overall honours and maximum championship points.

Both Mallory Park and the Merevale Estate are open to spectators. The MIRA special stages have limited spectator access with only advanced booking entrance being available.

Further information is available at www.rallyofthemidlands.co.uk