In 2009, the FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers will be 30 years old. Since Bjorn Waldegard became the first World Rally Champion in 1979, 15 other drivers have worn that crown and the VK Sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth intends to honour them all, by having on display examples of all the cars used over the 30 years to secure the title. This is being organised in conjunction with Britain's leading rally newspaper, "Motorsport News".

At the heart of this amazing line up of championship winners in action at Chatsworth House will be Lancia's fabulous Integrale, arguably the most famous and successful rally machine of all time. The Integrale swatted away its rivals as it collected four FIA World Rally Championship drivers' titles, two going to Italian hero Miki Biason in 1988 and 1989, while rapid Finn Juha Kankkunen bagged another brace in 1987 and 1991.

Now in its third year, Chatsworth House has welcomed many World, European and British Rally Champions at the previous shows, but the coming year promises to be a bit special even by those standards. It is hoped to have as many of the past World Champions there alongside their winning cars and, where possible, to have them demonstrating their skills on the special stages during the two-day event. Sadly, fate has deprived us of the possibility of having either of the two British World Rally Champions, but the display and its presentation will reflect their unique contributions to the sport.

The collaboration with "Motorsport News", part of the Haymarket Group, is particularly pleasing since, in the 1960s, this newspaper was at the forefront of a lobby for the creation of a World Rally Championship for Manufacturers and then, during the 1970s, for a Drivers' title as well. Both campaigns were successful and the FIA World Rally Championship has grown and prospered as a result.

Matt Burt, the current Editor of "MN" commented: "Motorsport News has reported on the World Rally Championship since its inception and continues to do so to this day. The VK Sponsored Rally Show at Chatsworth is a must-see event on the national calendar and the fact that the organisers are dedicating a major display area to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first drivers' championship demonstrates the significance of this milestone. We're delighted to be able to help the organisers mark this special occasion."

The Rally Show at Chatsworth 2009 will contain all the features which have played such a part in its growing popularity - a number of actual rallies, the History of Rallying demonstration, and Stage Sessions - as well as new ones, of which the World Champions' Cars will be one. The layout of the event site and the doubling-up of the stages are among changes being instituted to provide better access, improved viewing and more peripheral activities and services.