27 November, 2007

Per Eklund competes in London Masters Rallycross

Pressrelease

RALLY LEGEND PER EKLUND COMPETES IN LONDON MASTERS RALLYCROSS

World rally legend Per Eklund is competing in the inaugural 2007 London Masters Rallycross
competition, held at ExCel on Saturday and Sunday 8/9 December. A World Rally Championship round winner and former European Rallycross Championship titleholder, Per has been competing in motorsport for around 40 years.

Swedish-born Per began his driving career in 1968 at the Swedish Rally, which he won in 1976. From 1970 to 1979, he was a Saab works driver, using a Saab 99 Turbo before progressing to a Saab 900 Turbo, which he raced in the British round of the 1997 World Championship. During the 70s and 80s, Per was a regular participant in the RAC Rally, competing in a mix of cars including a Toyota Celica, Saab 96 V4 and 99 EMS, and a Lancia Delta, before driving for British Leyland and Audi.

Per started driving in rallycross by winning the first-ever Swedish rallycross event at Hedemora, on 17 October 1971. He drove a Saab 96 V4, then a Saab 99 in its various sporting evolutions. He was always prominent, and became seventh overall and fourth overall respectively in the first and second European Championship series of 1973 and 1974. His greatest successes have been in more modern times, when he won the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 1999 and he remains one of the fastest competitors, finishing eighth in this year's competition.

Race and show organiser Philip Bunn said: "We are thrilled that Per will be competing at the London Masters. His involvement, along with drivers such as Ollie Donovan and 'Mad' Mark
Watson, confirms that this is a major event for the motorsport calendar and as such is attracting major competitors. The final preparations are being made to the circuit, so that we can ensure
that the surface is perfect for a high-performance motorsport competition."

The circuit is a minimum of 14.5 metres wide, with an approximate length of 650 metres. The lap time for a Division 1 car is expected to be between 30 and 35 seconds, with an average speed of approximately 80mph. The circuit has been constructed with fast-flowing corners, featuring two spectacular yumps. With Division 1, Super National, Procar 1600 and 2000, Revivals, Junior Rallycross and Minicross categories, visitors will be on the edge of their seats watching the exhilarating live action.

The London Masters is just one of the exciting features of the 2007 London Motorsport Show,
which covers all disciplines of motorsport – from karting through to Formula One - and is a must for any motor racing enthusiast. Doors open each day from 10.00 and the show closes at 18.30 on Saturday (with the rallycross event finishing at around 20.00) and 15.30 on Sunday. For information and to book tickets, visit http://www.londonmasters.co.uk.

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