ANDREW MALLINSON will be testing his rally skills against some of the biggest names in the sport when he takes part in the Legend Fires North West Stages rally this weekend.

The event is based around Blackpool with spectator stages taking place up and down the famous 'Golden Mile'.

Some of the fastest - and most expensive - cars in rallying will take part alongside amateur drivers over 100-miles of racing on Tarmac stages. Over 6,000 spectators are expected to follow the event which will be televised on Sky Sports.

Andrew, a Bradford councillor and partner in In-Pulse Graphics and Auto Electrical repairs businesses, will be partnered by his son Christopher, a self-employed landscape gardener in the navigator's seat.

There car is a Subaru Impreza 4wd Group N rally car that has been built to RAC specifications for tarmac rallies. Last year they competed in the Kent Cams ANCC championship and finished third in class. Rallies took place throughout Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on mixed surfaces and tarmac.

This weekend will be the first time they have competed in a mutli-venue rally which will see them travel about 150 normal road miles between stages and about 100 stage miles, including section at army camps, over two days.

The rally also raises money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and organisers hope to present over £50,000 to the charity.

"We will be up against teams from all over England with many of the teams taking part in the British Championship. We're also planning to have the 'We're backing Keighley' logo on the car just to wind up the organisers in Blackpool!" Andrew said.