Hampshire based journalist and rally co-driver Alyson Marlow is about to compete on the world stage as part of her seventh assault on the Network Q Rally GB - the British round of the World Rally Championship.

Alyson, who writes for the Southern Daily Echo in Southampton, has teamed up with regular Peugeot 206 Super Cup driver Pat Richard for the event.

The pair will be using a brand new Group N Subaru Impreza - similar to the car Pat used to win the Canadian Rally Championship this year.

Alyson said: "It was a last minute deal to take part in the rally.

"It is the first time Pat has competed in a world championship event and we are both really looking forward to the challenge ahead."

As part of her acclimatisation to co-driving in a Subaru, Alyson has just returned from Canada where she and Pat took part in the Quebec-based Rally Charlevoix.

"It was an amazing opportunity to compete on the other side of the Atlantic," she said.

"There was thick snow and freezing conditions but it was a good warm up before working together on the Network Q."

The pair have the chance for a brief test of the Prodrive-built car before the rally gets under way in South Wales next Thursday evening.

The rally then moves into the Welsh forests for three tough days of competition before the finish back in Cardiff on Sunday evening.

"It's going to be tough on car and crew but its great to be able to compete on the world stage against the likes of Richard Burns and new world champion Marcus Gronholm," said Alyson.

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