Head and Dugdale to compete in Rally GB.

British privateers Steve Head and Andrew Dugdale face the toughest test of their rallying careers later this month when they take on the worlds best drivers in the Rally GB.

Once famed for its arduous route around the UK mainland, taking five days and nights to complete, this year's rally will last just four days and takes place entirely in South Wales.

Televising the event and new safety restrictions imposed by the FIA mean that the event has been limited to just 120 entrants from around the world. Amongst the leading British entrants are the Team Penguin pairing Head and Dugdale in their Teng Tools Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI.

"We have been very fortunate to get selected for an entry for the event," explained Head, "This will probably be the last year that privateers will be able to compete alongside the likes of McRae and Burns.

"In some respects that is quite sad, but as the sport expands and becomes more professional some things will have to be sacrificed. For the time being I am just focussing on preparations for this year's event to ensure that I get the best result possible."

As well as fitness training to prepare for the physical demands that will placed on Head as he battles sideways through 242 miles of Welsh forestry tracks, at speeds in excess of 100mph, Head has been preparing mentally for the event.

"Four days of aggressive competition can really take its toll and drain you mentally," he explained, "I did some work last year with a sports psychologist at Lilleyshaw College, similar to the work professional footballers do. That has worked well and I am learning all the time. In addition, the dietary advice from the college has been worthwhile and I think Andrew and myself will be in good shape by the time we take to the start line on 22 November."

The team have recently spent time testing the car and the Malcolm Wilson Rally was the final rehearsal for the ADR Motorsport team to work under the pressures of a rally.

"We have done some very effective testing for the Rally GB," said Dugdale, "Steve is very happy with the way the car is set up. We tried a lot of different suspension settings and did some work with the Michelin tyres and Mintex brake pads. Stopping in a hurry is just as important as horse power!!"

The duo competed on the Rally GB in 1999 at the wheel of a two-wheel drive Proton Satria. Despite suffering from food poisoning during the rally and a visit to hospital, Head and Dugdale managed to finish 83rd overall, but as Head explains, the experience gained will be invaluable this year.

"For sure, the experience of 1999 will be a big help," he said, "We have competed over some of the stages and know just how difficult the event can be. Fortunately, we'll be running higher up the running order this year, so the tracks should be a lot smoother.

"Nevertheless, the slippery conditions and darkness can easily catch you out, one small mistake in the wrong place could put us out of the rally. Although the rally lasts four days, there really isn't time to feel yourself into the event. We will start cautiously, but our aim is to finish inside the top twenty. We know that won't be easy but that's the goal we've set and we are determined to achieve it."

This year will be the 57th running of the Rally GB since it was first held in 1932. A thrilling climax to the season is guaranteed as 120 crews take to start line in Cardiff on 22 November. The 14th and final round of the 2001 World Rally Championship will be the deciding event as Colin McRae, Tommi Makinen and Marcus Gronholm all battle for the championship title. All that lies between them and the World Rally Championship title will be just under 1,000 miles of driving, with 242 miles taking place over 17 special stages in the forests of south Wales.

Competitors will find the going even tougher as this year servicing is limited to a single service area in Swansea. This means that teams will have to complete up to 35miles of stages without any servicing assistance. The longest stage of the rally will be the gruelling Resolfen stage on Saturday morning. At just under 29miles it is one of the longest stages in the entire World Rally Championship calendar.

"I have done stages over 20miles in length on the British Championship, and some of the stages were long when we did the Rally GB in 1999", explained Head. "But Resolfen is a lot more twisty than the likes of Kielder, so every component of the car will be tested to the limit. I am sure the Mitsubishi will have the strength to last the rally, I just hope I have."