Young Manx hot-shot Connor Corkill returns to the gravel this weekend as he heads to Yorkshire to contest the final round of the Dunlop / Wonago.com British Historic Rally Championship, Trackrod Rally Yorkshire Historic. The 21 year old head’s into the Scarborough based event in the best possible shape following his first outright win on the Ulster Historic Rally and now will be keen to prove his pace on the loose. He and co-driver Rob Fagg have shown a steady improvement on the loose events in the series this year to the point where they will no doubt figure in the battle for honours this weekend, but taking top spot would really finish of their year. Following the Ulster back in August the car has returned to renowned historic preparation company XS Racing, who transformed the 4hire.co.im backed Ford Escort MkII into a really challenger on the tarmac, to be re-prepared for it’s final showing of 2010 and hopefully another strong display. The event once again takes the crews into the famous forest complexes of Dalby and Langdale and will favour the brave. All four tests will provide some of the fastest gravel test in the UK, something which Corkill is yet to experience. “This is my first taste of the Yorkshire stages and after watching the DVD I can see that we are going to be in fifth for long periods” explained Corkill, “I am really looking forward to the event and enjoying a no pressure outing but at the same time I hope we can be there or there about come the end.” In addition to their Ulster success, the Manx pairing secured the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship earlier this month with a second place on the Isle of Man based DUKE Stages. These two successes have gone a long way to finally proving what Corkill is capable, something which he is very happy about. “This year has certainly had its highs and lows, rolling on the Mid-Wales back in June and the broken gear leaver on the Manx really hit the morale hard” commented Connor, “But a good test on the Harry Flatters set us up for the Ulster and to take the win there was just fantastic.” But while the win was one of the goals for this season so was being in contention for the local series as he continued. “Of course we started the year knowing that if we could produce consistent performance on the local scene we were in with a shout but knew that early retirements were not an option. To take the title, my first, is an amazing feeling and it’s great to finally get something to show for all the hard work.” While it was a first for Corkill, it was Manx title number three for Fagg, all being achieved with different drivers, the first coming in 2002 while his second was in 2006. “To add a third Manx title to the CV something special and as far as I am aware something no one has achieved” explained Fagg, “But to help such a promising young driver take his first title, in addition to his first event win means a lot personally as well.” Trackrod Rally Yorkshire Historic gets underway from the Marine Drive in host town Scarborough at 7:30am with four fast test in wait for the crews. Following this the crews will return to Scarborough for the finish around six hours later at 1:30pm when the victor will be known. The event progress can be followed at www.rallyyorkshire.com In 2010 the team are backed by 4HIRE.co.im and the 4WD and Van Centre (Isle of Man) Rob is supported by Manx Telecom, Robert Graham & Co Quantity Surveyors, www.Mexperience.com, Nicky Grist Motorsport (www.nickygrist.com), Fastime Stopwatches (www.astopwatch.com) and G8 Products (www.g8products.co.uk) Ends