A squad of Saabs will tackle the 2010 Roger Albert Clark Rally in celebration of Saab legend Eric Carlsson winning the 1960 RAC Rally in a two-stroke Saab 96.Inspired by Saab enthusiast Jim Valentine, at least four Saabs will be on the start list when the Roger Albert Clark Rally starts on 25 November. If all goes to plan, Carlsson and his 1960 co-driver Stuart Turner will be there to see the cars away, 50 years on from their famous victory on the rally that is now re-created by the Roger Albert Clark.
Valentine has been a loyal supporter of the event in his two-stroke Saab 96 and is now encouraging other Saab owners to commit to the event. Three others have confirmed plans to enter and Valentine reckons there could be as many as eight cars if everyone who has expressed an interest in competing is able to finalise plans. In the first four cars Nick Pinkett and Patrice Wattine in early two-strokes and Richard Simpson in a later V4-engined 96 will join Valentine in the team.
The 1960 event marked the first of a hat-trick of victories for Carlsson, who earned the nick-name of 'Pa Taket' for his ability to roll a Saab and carry on undeterred. 'Pa Taket' translates from Swedish to 'on the roof'.
"There may never be a finer moment for Saabs to put on a bit of a show," said Valentine. "I'm looking forward to a gathering of people who use their Saabs for rallying and it would be a fantastic achievement to get all the cars to the finish. It's going to be fabulous; the RAC is the most fun I have ever had rallying."
To maintain the Saab theme, Valentine hopes to have as many of the entries as possible supported by a Saab estate car running as a management vehicle.
For more details about the Roger Albert Clark Rally, and its support rallies, please visit www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org
