For the third edition of the VK Vodka Kick sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth there will be some major innovations but the core of the event will remain, namely, hundreds of rally cars being driven flat-out over the Chatsworth stages.

The biggest of the changes will be that the two-day event will now feature four stages, two different ones each day and the whole event will be turned on its head with the layout reversed to have the service park and exhibition area close to Chatsworth House. The result will provide even better access and viewing for the thousands of spectators.

The 2008 event broke new ground by moving to the first weekend of June and the 2009 Rally Show will stick with that date and is being held on June 6th/7th. It was very successful with 15,000 people attending over the weekend and watching just over one hundred and fifty rally cars performing.

The menu of actual competitions blended in with stage sessions, demonstrations and displays including historic rally cars proved extremely popular especially with the appearance of ex-World Champion, Marcus Grönholm, in a full Ford Focus WRC 08. No fewer than twenty former British Champions attended and four of them – Ari Vatanen, David Richards, Phil Mills and Stig Blomqvist – were also previous World Champions. The free and easy atmosphere meant that fans were able to mingle with their heroes to chat and get autographs.

The top competition is always for the fastest and most exotic rally cars and in 2008 this was graced by German visitor, Olaf Dobberkau, in his fearsome Porsche 933 GT. However, the event was won for the second time in succession by Global Brands Chairman, Steve Perez, with his Ford Focus WRC. In the background of the 2008 event were an off-road experience in trials cars for the general public, a fun fair and exhibition and trade stands all related to motor sport and motoring.

The plans for 2009 include a major increase in facilities and entertainments away from the special stages and this has been aided by the new layout of the event.

The Rally Show has always had a certain number of peripheral attractions but these are set to increase to provide a wider scope for all the family to enjoy their weekend. To this end, children under the age of sixteen will be admitted free on both days in 2009. A further bonus worth noting is that any adult tickets bought before January 1st, 2009 will still be at 2008 prices.

The main sponsor of the Rally Show at Chatsworth is once again VK Vodka Kick and they will be supported by ECM Systems (Timing), S&H Recovery (Recover and Rescue Vehicles), Haines Watts Accountants, Richard Egger Insurance and Ton Hire.com. Another sponsor for 2009 will be Hamilton

Classic Motor Sport who have agreed to support the History of Rallying demonstration.
In announcing the 2009 event, Malcolm Neill, Managing Director for The Rally Show Ltd. said “In the beginning, holding a major rally event like this was just a dream but thanks to the help and support of our sponsors and the British rally fans, it is a very real success. We are hoping that we can continue to improve and innovate so that returning enthusiasts will find as much of interest as the ones visiting us for the first time. Above all, we want to keep it a personal experience where the star drivers and their cars are easily approachable.”