Milner is relishing his title defence

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 25, 2003

Byline: By Miles Starforth

British rally champion Jonny Milner starts the defence of his title tonight as the Pirelli International Rally heads off the ramp at the Baltic.

With the Rally of Wales having been cancelled, the Pirelli sees wheels turned in anger for the first time this season in the British Rally Championship.

And Milner - driving a Toyota Corolla WRC - is relishing the challenge with the Kielder Forest stages bone dry and super quick.

But first the Yorkshireman has to tackle the new street circuit behind the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, with competitors completing the half mile stage twice before heading to Kielder for three night stages.

Milner - also competing in the United Stages this season - was runner-up in last year's Pirelli despite being hit by three punctures.

"I'm absolutely itching to go," said the 32-year-old. "It was very disappointing for the first round to be cancelled through lack of entries.

"It's daunting to start the season in Kielder but last year it was the first round so it's no different really. Obviously I'm starting the defence of my title and it's going to be a tough fight.

"We had a look at the Kielder stages yesterday and they're going to be very fast. Dust is going to be a big problem for the boys but I'm the first car on the road and I'll have to keep it there.

"Last year I wouldn't say the three punctures cost me the rally but it certainly didn't help and hopefully I'll have better luck this time."

The Pirelli - won last year by then Ford works driver Mark Higgins in a Ford Focus WRC - has been shortened to two days to cut down on the costs for competitors.

And Higgins, a former British champion, is back and he will be hoping to challenge strongly in the Super 1600 category in his Renault Clio.

Meanwhile there will also be plenty of local interest, including Kibblesworth's Chris Moore who is one of the favourites in the Peugeot 206 Cup.

Milner heads off the ramp at the Baltic at 6.00. Entry to the spectator stage and street circuit will is pounds 7 adults and pounds 4 children. The hotline is 0191 4785555 but tickets can also be bought on the gate.

For more information got to www.pirelliinternationalrally.co.uk