2 years after his tarmac debut on the Rally of the Midlands, 2005 1400cc BRC Stars of the Future champion Matt Beebe returns to the 2 day Nuneaton based event to support Motorsport in the Midlands.

24 year old Matt, co-driven by the highly experienced Gemma Price, are both taking time out from their Tesco 99 Octane British Rally Championship campaign to contest the rally for the second time in preparation for the 3 consecutive tarmac rounds of the BRC.

Matt had an extremely successful tarmac debut here in 2004, winning his class and taking the MG scholarship honours on his way to the first of 2 MG championship titles. His efforts were rewarded by being voted Nuneaton Senior Sports Personality of the year in 2004. After taking class honours and taking the accolade of being the first 2wd Group N finisher on the 2005 Wales Rally GB Matt was again awarded the honour of being crowned Senior Sports Personality of the year.

Matt is very happy with how his 2006 season is progressing, after finishing 2nd in class on his debut event in his newer, more powerful, MG ZR 160. The Pirelli Rally went according to plan and both Gemma and I are happy with our overall result. The rough nature of the Kielder forests doesn't really suit the little MG, and so our plan was always to take it easy and focus on a strong finish, which we certainly achieved!

Matt, who is supported by the North Warwickshire and Hinckley College Motorsport Academy, is relishing competing on his home event. After all the support I've received from local people and organisations it will be an honour to compete on home ground this weekend.

The event begins with some spectator stages in Hinckley itself on the Friday night, whilst Saturday and Sunday will see the cars tackle the MIRA proving grounds and Mallory Park race track with a mid afternoon finish anticipated on Sunday.

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