INTERNATIONAL rally drivers made quite an impression on Tynedale folk during a memorable visit at the weekend.

While the Pirelli International Rally again pulled in large crowds to Kielder Forest to take in the action, a brief stop-off in the village of Bellingham endeared the visitors to residents and sightseers alike.

Having returned to Kielder for the annual event, the second round of the prestigious British Rally Championship (BRC), the crews made a rest halt in Bellingham’s Manchester Square on Saturday afternoon after completing two special stages rounds of the rally.

And their appearance caused quite a stir, the drivers posing for photographs and signing autographs.

The event’s media manager, Ed Graham, a member of Hexham and District Motor Club, said: “The organisers were delighted with the response to the visit to Bellingham, and we hope this can be repeated when next year’s event visits the North Tyne Valley.

“We are extremely grateful for the superb help and co-operation we received from Bellingham Parish Council and the friendliness of the residents in Manchester Square who certainly had a different Saturday afternoon to one they normally experience in Bellingham!”

The real action was up in Kielder though, as an action-packed, highly fuelled weekend of gravel churning driving took place again.

Members of the public turned out in force to get a slice of the action too, with the British Rally round complemented by rounds of the junior rally, FIA Celtic Rally Trophy and the MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

And there was a ‘double double’ recorded by the impressive Scandian crew of Swedish driver Fredrik Ahlin and Danish co-driver Torstein Eriksen as they took a memorable victory.

Not only did the duo build on their success in the opening round of the BRC last month, but they repeated their triumph at last year’s Pirelli rally.

It wasn’t an easy victory for Ahlin and his CA1 Sport team as he had to work his Skoda Fabia hard as he was headed on the opening day by the Hyundai i20 of Tom Cave and James Morgan, who finished as runners-up.

On the final day, there was a sustained challenge from the Welsh crew of Osian Pryce and Dale Furniss, who go to within four seconds of claiming the lead.