Rally co-driver Michael Wilkinson will be pitting his skills against the cream of the country's rally stars when he contests the Michelin South of England Tempest Stages later this month.

Michael will be co-driving for Stephen Petch on the south coast event which takes place on October 26/27.

The event has attracted a star-studded line-up of rally champions, and ex-Formula One driver Mark Blundell together with F1 commentator Tony Jardine.

Heading the field away will be Super 1600 champion, Justin Dale in his Peugeot 206 while Michael, from Bishop Auckland will be in a Ford Ka.

Organised by the Sutton & Cheam, Middlesex and Hart Motor Clubs the 16 stage event will be based at the Rushmoor Arena in Aldershot, Hampshire.

It will use the classic southern Forest Enterprise stages and areas of military land at Eelmoor Plain, and Longmoor to test the drivers in all conditions.

Action gets underway on the Saturday lunchtime with almost 60 crews heading into the forest for fast and furious action before a second full day of competition on the Sunday when a further 55 rally crews join the action.