BOURNEMOUTH and District Car Club is hosting a recruitment event next month designed to convert spectators on Rallye Sunseeker' into marshals and club members.

Organised in conjunction with the MSA, the training day takes place at the Elstead Hotel, Knyveton Road, Bournemouth on Saturday, February 9.

Participation is completely free, and provides a basic introduction to motorsport marshalling from what to wear to incident management.

Participants will be eligible to receive a Grade 3' licence which can be upgraded by attending at rallies during the year.

During the day details will be available of marshalling opportunities on Rallye Sunseeker' which takes place two weeks later.

Further details are available from Tim Walker on 01202 819591 or bdcc@btinternet.com

RALLY SCHOOL'S BOOST

As an added incentive for Rallye Sunseeker marshals this year, Silverstone Rally School (www.silverstonerallyschool.co.uk) is again offering 12 lucky marshals the chance to win a place at a special Marshals Day.

One person from each stage venue will benefit from the prize of a day of rally tuition at their premises in Northamptonshire.

David Taunt, of SRS, said, "An event like Rallye Sunseeker requires a huge number of marshals to ensure its smooth running and we are pleased to be able to offer such an incentive."

Chief Marshal Matt Fowle echoed his sentiments: "Marshals are often labelled the unsung heroes' of motorsport and we are indebted to Silverstone Rally School for their ongoing encouragement."

BENNETT FRUSTRATED

Ferndown's Geoff Bennett had a frustrating preparation for his 2008 rally season after a slower car cost him victory on the Hamilton Classic Longmoor Loco Stages.

Bennett, in his Mk II Ford Escort, was leading the all-tarmac event at Longmoor army camp after six stages, but on the final two circuits was baulked by a slower car.

"Because there was a split on the stages we caught a much slower car and we couldn't get past, it cost us a lot of time and it was very frustrating," said Bennett who was being co-driven for the first time by Richard Bailey from Fordingbridge.

The delay was enough to allow former National champion Ian Roberton in his Nissan 240RS to overtake the Escort and take victory by a mere eight seconds.

For Bennett it was a cause of history repeating itself as the last time he contested the event, two years ago, he also finished second overall.

Bennett's next outing will be next month's Sunseeker.