BAJA GB 2007, August 17-19th, 2007
Britain’s new round of the 2007 FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas

For immediate release
Thursday, July 19th, 2007

DEFENDING CHAMPION IAN ROCHELLE CLAIMS
FIRST OFFICIAL ENTRY FOR AUGUST’S BAJA GB

Four classes available for bike and quad competitors as entries open;
Baja GB forms integral part of MIA’s National Motorsport Week

NEWTOWN (Wales): The 2006 Baja GB champion Ian Rochelle claimed the first official entry for the 2007 Baja GB, after regulations for both the car and motorcycle categories for the August event were posted on the event’s official website this week. The third round of the FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas takes place in mid-Wales between August 17th and August 19th.

Rochelle, from Bridgnorth in Shropshire, is keen to defend his Baja crown at the wheel of the powerful Bowler Wildcat 200 in which he tackled this year’s Dakar Rally. Engine problems forced him out of the world’s premier off-road rally after several days in January, but Rochelle is looking forward to locking horns with European competitors tackling this year’s International Baja Cup.

Baja GB organisers have confirmed that there will be four classes available for bike and quad competitors under the jurisdiction of clerk of the course Mark Vaughan and ACU steward John Collins.

Two-wheel riders can enter Class B1 for four-stroke engines up to 450cc or Class B2 for bikes over 450cc. Quad riders will be entered in Class D, while Class A will be open to two-stroke competitors. All bike and quad entrants must hold an ACU or SACU licence, although European FMN riders are eligible and British riders will be able to purchase one-event ACU licences for ?15.

Quad and motorcycle runners will tackle four special stages in Tarenig and Sweet Lamb forests on Saturday, August 18th and two stages on Sunday. They will not tackle the super special stage in Radnor on Friday evening, but will take part in the ceremonial start at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on Friday afternoon from 16.30hrs.

~We have set the entry fee for bikes and quads at ?200 and that provides riders with excellent value for money and motorsport competition over prime forest tracks in mid-Wales,~ said Chris Tomley, chairman of the organising committee, who heads a small delegation visiting the Baja Spain, round two of the FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, this weekend.

This year’s National Motorsport Week falls between August 11th and 19th and Baja GB is the major off-road event in the UK that weekend. The Week is an initiative from The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) to promote the excitement of motorsport to new audiences. Further details are available from www.nationalmotorsportweek.co.uk. Organisers of National Motorsport Week will be working with radio, television and media to promote events taking place in the UK during the nine days of motorsport activities.

This year’s Baja GB has the full backing of the Welsh Assembly Motorsport Initiative, the Forestry Commission Wales and the Motor Sports Association (MSA).

Foreign competitors wanting discount rates on logistics, ferries and travel should contact Abergavenny’s David Higgs, Allsports Logistics, Tel: +44 (0) 1873 850 025, Fax: + 44 (0) 1873 858 513, E-mail: daihiggs@aol.com.

Officials, media and competitors wishing to reserve accommodation for Baja GB weekend should contact the Builth Wells Tourist Information Centre, Tel: + 44 (0) 1982 553307. Entry forms and regulations are available from www.BajaWales.com and further entry information is available from Wendy Tomley (e-mail wt@BajaWales.com).

Ends

For further media information:
Neil Perkins, Baja GB Press Officer, NDP Publicity Services, NCH Building, Upper Bar, Newport, Shropshire, Tel: +44 (0)1952 825078, Fax: + 44 (0) 1952 825001, Mobile: + 44 7831 123153, E-mail: ndppublicity@compuserve.com. www.ndp-publicity.com (press releases).

www.BajaWales.com

Published On: 19 July 2007