CHILBOLTON-based rally driver Justin Dale (pictured) gets the chance of a lifetime this week as he drives a works Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC in the Network Q Rally of Great Britain.

The newly-crowned British Super 1600 champion and his co-driver received a last-minute call-up to replace top driver Alister McRae (brother of 1995 World Champion Colin) who has failed to return to fitness after suffering a bruised liver in a mountain biking accident earlier in the year.

The awesome Lancer is not completely new to 31-year-old Justin, who has carried out testing work for Mitsubishi during the course of this year. But the challenge of driving a top-level rally car on one of the toughest rallies of the Championship will be one of the sternest of his career.

Justin said: "It's a fantastic opportunity. Being in a works team at World Championship level is everything I've ever dreamed of. My aim is primarily to finish the event. I think realistically we can't hope to be on the same pace as Francois and Jani (his Mitsubishi team-mates Francois Delecour and Jani Paasonen) to begin with, but our goal will be to learn the car and support them, as well as the team, and hopefully bring some points home for Mitsubishi."

Justin has driven for Peugeot in Britain for the past few seasons, but will make a full-time switch to the World Championship next year in a privately entered Subaru with sponsorship backing from Sony Computer Entertainment.