VAUXHALL Sport has appointed Ray Mallock Ltd (RML) to run its rally programme for the next two years. The Wellingborough-rally programme for the next two years. The Wellingborough-based motorsport engineering specialist will look after the Wirral-made Vauxhall Astra of Jamo Kytolehto in all rounds of the Mobil 1 British Rally Championship, as well as the World Championship Network Q RAC Rally.

RML had previously been appointed by the Open Performance Centre (OPC) to build and develop the new Astra for the European markets, and work on the design and build of the rally car is progressing well. Vauxhall's decision renews longstanding links between the British manufacturer and RML.

"OPC has contracted RML to build and develop the Astra, so it makes sense for us to put the entire operation under one roof," says Mike Nicholson, Vauxhall's Motorsport Manager. "I'm confident that RML will do a great job. We're viewing 1998 as a development year, but will still hope to win rallies, and then have a run at winning the championship in '99."

RML's principal, Ray Mallock, added: "We're very pleased to be working with Vauxhall again. I'm particularly delighted that we will be running the new Astra in its British Championship programme, because running the car goes very much hand-in-hand with the design, build and development of the car."

The new Vauxhall Astra rally car will be seen in action for the first time at the opening round of British Championship, the Vauxhall Rally of Wales, on March 20/21 1998.

The RAC Rally starts from Cheltenham this Sunday.

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