Winchester resident Doug Powell is revving up to drive around Britain in the Lombard Revival Rally later this month.

Nothing too unusual in that perhaps, until you discover that Doug is 61 and has decided to return to competitive rallying after an interval of 30 years!

Doug works as a car leasing assistant in Winchester and is a member of both the Hants & Berks and Farnborough motor clubs.

Having read details of the 1,200 mile Lombard Revival Rally, he decided it was a must. Lombard sponsored the RAC Rally of Great Britain until 1994, and has now returned to rallysport with their name on the doors once more. The event that takes in some of the most demanding roads in Britain, reviving the style of the Lombard RAC Rallies. All the top professional rally drivers have been ruled out as competing cars are restricted to a maximum of 1400cc, with no modifications allowed to the engine, gearbox or brakes. It makes the event the ultimate test of a production car.

Doug, who hails from Worcestershire, has teamed up with long standing friend Trevor Holland as his navigator. Their 12-year-old Peugeot 106 XSi, which will be wearing number 90, will be competing against more than 100 other cars in showroom trim.

The Lombard Revival Rally will be flagged away from York next Thursday (Nov. 25th), and drives via Scarborough and Hexham to Carlisle. On day two, drivers head south to Chester via Blackpool and the final leg will be a long hard day running the full length of Wales to finish in the centre of Cheltenham.

There are famous forest sections, military ground, stately homes, racing circuits, hill climbs and seaside promenades featuring in more than 40 competitive sections, all set out in the style of the Lombard RAC Rally in rallying's golden era.

"It's going to be a tough and demanding challenge, but we have every confidence in our car," said Doug this week. The Peugeot is being prepared by Doug with Lee Stannard, of Winchester garage Foundry Motors, with additional support from Southgate Peugeot.

In preparation, Doug and Trevor entered the CSMA Curtis-Bennett Rally in the Forest of Dean last month and the Dolphin (Newbury) Motor Club 'Firecracker Rally' last weekend.

"I've been involved in motorsport since the age of 15 and I can safely say that this three-day epic will be the toughest drive I've ever entered," he told me. "But I'm really looking forward to it, although a little apprehensive about some of the infamous forest stages in North Wales!

"Our first ambition is to finish the event in one piece and enjoy it. Looking at placings is something we don't need to worry about."

So what does Sheila, Doug's wife of more than 30 years, make of it all? "She thinks I'm slightly crazy, but both she and Trevor's wife are right behind us - not as back seat drivers though!"