A RARE Jaguar model will compete in Kielder's popular car rally event this year.
Kielder Forest Rally, which will take place on Saturday, June 15, involves approximately 85 competitors tackling three forest gravel stages within Kielder Forest, each stage running twice.
The event is part of a national gravel rally championship and will include a range of cars from modern international Rally2 specification cars to classics.
Kielder Forest Rally has taken place in various guises since the 1970s and competitors this year range from professionals to local amateurs.
The cars will be serviced and based out of Hexham Auction Mart.
Joe Hutchinson, who is involved in organising the event, said cars will set off at 9am, complete the three timed stages and head back to the service area in Hexham before completing the stages again later in the afternoon.
"For any spectators wanting to go, there is a car park available at each of the stages. The way it works, you will probably have to choose one car park and you will see them twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon," he said.
Cars are expected to go through the stages in the morning from 10am-12pm and in the afternoon from 2pm-4pm.
Joe said one of the competitors, Ed Abbott, has a particularly impressive history in motorsport competing on stage rallies.
He will compete in a Jaguar XJ-S, which Joe said is a 'very rare car in general, and 'extremely rare, if not the only one, to have ever competed on stage rallies'.
Ed wanted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the XJ-S by completing various competitions including the Kielder Forest Rally.
"From a historical point of view, that car is really interesting," Joe said. "Otherwise, we've got four or five top crews who are fighting for national gravel championships."
Joe said one of the important things for spectators is to arrive early at the event and stay safe.
Marshals will be available to give guidance if needed.
Information is available for spectators wanting to watch the stages from the forests or find out more about spectator safety on the website at https://kielderforestrally.co.uk/.
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