THE MG Metro 6R4 will take centre stage at next year's Bournemouth Rallye Sunseeker, reviving memories of the heyday of Group B rallying.

Organisers of the annual February event, which is the opening round of the 2008 Hankook MSA Gravel Rally Championship, have launched an initiative to attract as many MG Metro 6R4s as possible.

Rick Smith, Sunseeker Clerk of the Course, is keen to hear from current 6R4 owners as he attempts to put together the largest-ever gathering of the iconic car.

"In 1987 Malcolm Wilson won the fore-runner of Rallye Sunseeker, the Citroen Winter Rally, in a 6R4. Ray Munro also won in a 6R4 in 1997 and then, the following year, Austin Rover organised the Super Challenge', a championship for clubman-specification versions and we want to commemorate those two milestones in the history of the car," said Smith.

Metro 6R4 owners can become involved in 2008 Rallye Sunseeker in three different ways - by entering the rally itself, performing demonstration runs or by taking part in a display at Somerley Park on Saturday, February 23.

Backed by Motorsport News, the Metro 6R4 Super Challenge will encourage owners to enter the cars in the main event.

The cars have been regular crowd pleasers in the past but numbers have dwindled in recent years so that this year only one, that of Stuart Larby, started the Bournemouth event.

Those who do not want to take a risk with their prized possession can still be part of the action by providing demonstration runs over the Friday night tarmac special in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens and on a special shortened course at the Somerley Spectator Stage on the Saturday.

Also at Somerley, which attracts the most rally fans, there will be a special concours d'elegance for 6R4's. Organisers are currently looking for a headline sponsor to back the new Challenge.

Among the rally stars who are expected to take part is the 1987 winner Wilson who now runs the Ford works rally team.

For more information contact the Rally Office - rallye@xenogamy-plc.co.uk or call 0845 388 4285 for details of how to get involved.

MARSHAL TARRANT

motor racing marshal Steve Tarrant from Poole was in California to cheer Scotland's Allan McNish to success in a four-hour endurance race.

Tarrant, who lost a leg in an accident at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, still travels the world and helps out at race meetings performing various marshals' duties - at Laguna Seca he was a flag marshal.

During a break from his duties he was invited to be a guest of Audi UK where he met race winner McNish who wrapped-up his third American Le Mans Series title Audi R10 TDI.

RACEWAY BANGERS

There is a £10,000-worth Firework Spectacular at Ringwood Raceway from 6pm this evening plus a 1600cc National Bangers event with more than 80 cars pre-booked.