2012 British Rally Championship

BRC season review on Sky Sports

Posted: November 27, 2012 2:05 AM

The 2012 MSA British Rally Championship season review will be shown on Sky Sports on Monday 3rd December starting at 20:00hrs on Sky Sports 4HD, repeated later on Sky Sports 2HD.

Split into two consecutive one-hour programmes, the Greenlight Television-produced programme is hosted by Mike Brewer and Robbie Head and celebrates a fantastic season, won by the third time by Irishman Keith Cronin, Northern Irish co-driver Marshall Clarke taking his first title.

BRC’s 2012 Pirelli UK Star Driver prize announced - DS3 for 2013 BRC

Posted: August 28, 2012 11:47 AM

Italian tyre firm Pirelli has agreed terms with Citroën Racing to run a Citroën DS3 R3 as part of next year’s highly-regarded MSA British Rally Championship Pirelli UK Star Driver scheme.

The Pirelli Star Driver programme was set up in 2008 to reward aspiring rally drivers with a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in a full British Rally Championship campaign courtesy of Pirelli.

Based on merit, one driver is selected for the Pirelli Star Driver shootout from each of the six qualifying rallies in this year’s British Rally Championship. Drivers can only be selected on one occasion with an automatic nomination awarded to the British Junior Rally Champion.

Drivers who have already been selected for this year’s prestigious shootout include Mark Donnelly, Matthew Cathcart, Tom Cave, Jussi Kumpumäki, Osian Pryce and recently-crowned British Junior Rally Champion, Garry Pearson. One final driver will be selected to join the line-up and will be picked following their performance on the championship’s closing round, International Rally Yorkshire.

Pirelli UK motorsport operations manager, Matthew Corby, commented:
“We are looking forward to working with Citroën in 2013 and running the Citroën DS3 R3 for the very first time. The car has proved itself as a worthy contender for winning championship titles and we feel our Pirelli Star Driver package for 2013 is the best yet.

“The Citroën DS3 R3 is the perfect stepping stone to help a national driver make the transition onto the world stage, and we hope this year’s winner will follow in the footsteps of our former Pirelli Star Driver Elfyn Evans who continues to lead this year’s Pirelli-supported WRC Academy.”

The 1.6-litre Citroën DS3 R3 features the same structural design and appearance as the production model, with the production steel body shell reinforced by a welded, multi-point roll cage. The turbocharged DS3 R3 has benefitted from the extensive expertise acquired by Citroën Racing through its involvement in the World Rally Championship and the car is currently helping Citroën UK to lead the way in this year’s British Manufacturers’ Rally Championship.

Corby concluded:
“I would also like to say a big thank you to TEG Sport who have done such a tremendous job over the past four years in providing our Pirelli Star Drivers with such a competitive and reliable car.”

Details regarding the 2012 Pirelli Star Driver shootout will be announced at the final round of the year, International Rally Yorkshire (28-29 September).

Q & A with double British Rally Champion Keith Cronin

Posted: June 26, 2012 12:00 PM

With four rounds of the 2012 MSA British Rally Championship under his belt and a new car and team to adjust to, double champion Keith Cronin has already proved that he can adapt to whatever is thrown his way this year.

He began the season with a guest drive in a Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy car, but decided that he had the bug and was quickly at the wheel of a Citroën DS3 R3 and vying for overall position. His back-to-back wins and second place put him in a strong position for a possible third title, so we decided to ask him the secret of his success.

Q: How did you start in rallying?
A: I started in small front wheel drive cars on local events in Ireland. Mainly because it was all I could afford at the time, but in hindsight it was the best route I could have taken. When you make mistakes, which we all do, they are at a lower speed. And they are cheaper to repair.

Q: What did driving that sort of car teach you?
A: It teaches you about car control. You tend to have to drive them flat out to get the best out of them and you definitely look for the best lines and how to keep the momentum and carry speed through corners. It also teaches you how to manage things like tyres and brakes. With a front wheel drive car everything happens through those two wheels: acceleration, steering, braking – everything.

You can’t get away with nearly as much in a front wheel drive car – even the DS3 will punish you on stage times if you make a mistake. The most important thing is to be super-tidy.

Q: Are those skills transferrable to four wheel drive?
A: Definitely. There are a few things that you need to adapt to when you move up, but if you can drive two wheel drive fast, you can drive four wheel drive fast. Moving back to two wheel drive has reminded me of the need to be tidy. Doing the Sunseeker in the little Twingo was great because it reminded me of the things not to do so I was pretty much on the pace on the Bulldog

Q: What advice would you give to youngsters graduating into international rallying?
A: I’d probably start in R1 and work my way through R2 and R3. It’s the logical route – it’s easy to follow and there is a choice of cars in each class.
Unless you’re just out for fun you need an experienced co-driver as well. Pace-notes are probably the most important thing in any car, but you’ve got to get to the top in the lower classes before you make the step up, otherwise you just make more expensive mistakes trying to keep up.

Q: If you had your time in rallying over again, what would you do differently?
A: I would have moved into a one-make championship straight away. The UK has always had great one makes, from the Peugeot Cups to the Citroëns, Fiestas and Twingos. The level of competition means you have to learn fast to be at the front, but even if you don’t, you know that you are against other cars the same as yours so it is fairer.

All the MSA British Rally Championship competitors will be back in action in August when the series moves to Northern Ireland for the Todds Leap International Rally NI.

BRC Teams local addition

Posted: March 16, 2012 10:38 AM

Yet another team has registered for the 2012 MSA British Rally Championship’s BRC Teams Cup, making a total of six battling it out for the prestigious title.

Davies Motorsport Services will run a two-car Citroën DS3 R3 team, the cars piloted by an all Welsh cast of Osian Pryce/Iestyn Williams and Tom Cave/Craig Parry. The Welshpool-based outfit should be fresher than any other for Bulldog Rally North Wales, their workshops less than a mile across the fields from Rally HQ.

But it will be the team’s experience along with two talented crews that should pay dividends; team boss Andy Davies having worked for the Subaru World Rally Team as WRC Champion Petter Solberg’s leading technician.The team will fight it out with fellow Welsh team AVS Motorsport, Ford Junior Team Finland, Cumbria’s M-Sport Ford and Lancashire-based Pirelli TEG Sport; although Callum Black’s spectacular roll and subsequent fire on round one will probably count out the Millers Oils 586 Team from the fray.

Currently leading the fight, atop an all Ford top three, is M-Sport Ford, with the Finns second and AVS third. Pirelli TEG Sport is fourth with Black’s non score putting him fifth, but as only the highest placed crew scores for the BRC Teams Cup; it is still anyone’s title.

BRC prizes top £200,000

Posted: March 12, 2012 11:49 AM

With the recent announcement from the Citroën Racing Trophy, the MSA British Rally Championship, NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge, sponsors and support series, are now offering around £200,000 worth of prizes.

Probably the biggest prize comes from Pirelli in the form of the Pirelli Star Driver competition. This year’s winner from the end of season shootout will receive funded support for 2013 and although the details have not been published, it will be a similar value to previous years.

The Citroën Racing Trophy’s on-event prize money is split over the five reaming events in the BRC calendar, but it is further incentivised with a drive for the winner on Rallye du Var, the final round of the French Rally Championship.

The Twingo Renaultsport Trophy UK follows the same format of per-event prizes in both R1 and R2 Trophies. With a funded prize drive for the R1 winner in a Twingo R2, the R2 Trophy winner has the choice of stepping up to a Clio R3 or Mégane R4, both on Rallye du Var.

M-Sport’s Fiesta SportTrophy and SportChallenge also benefit from per-event prizes, with the FST UK winner going forward to the FST International end of season shootout with the chance of a season working with M-Sport and the winners experiencing the Fiesta WRC and S2000 cars respectively.

Finally the winner of the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge and its junior Stars of the Future category will receive support funding for the 2013 MSA British Rally Championship.

Although it is difficult to put an exact figure on the value of all the prizes, an estimate of around £200,000 is certainly not to be sniffed at.

For more information on the MSA British Rally Championship visit

British Rally Championship

BRC announces RAVENOL OILS BRC Privateers Cup

Posted: February 29, 2012 2:45 PM

The MSA British Rally Championship has today confirmed the launch of a new championship for the 2012 season, the RAVENOL OILS BRC Privateers Cup.

RAVENOL, the high performance oil and lubricant manufacturer who last month agreed a long term technical partnership with the British Rally Championship as the official oil and lubricant partner to the BRC, has become the title sponsor of the new championship which is designed to recognise and reward privateer entrants in the UK’s premier rally series.

The “RAVENOL OILS BRC Privateers Cup” is open to competitors in the BRC who are not representing registered motorsport companies competing in the BRC Teams series. There are no age limit or restrictions, and the best 5 scores from 6 events count towards the end of season classification. The winner will be presented with the “RAVENOL OILS BRC Privateers Cup” and £2,000 of product sponsorship for their 2013 campaign at the end-of-season BRC Awards Ceremony on 17th November 2012.

Mark Taylor, BRC Championship Manager comments,
“We are delighted that RAVENOL have increased their commitment to the BRC in sponsoring this new-for-2012 championship, which we firmly believe shows the BRC’s commitment to our privateer competitors”

David Mott, Sales Director of German Oil, RAVENOL’s UK distributor adds,
“We believe this further demonstrates RAVENOL’s commitment to supporting the grass roots of British Motorsport and having seen the competitiveness of the British Rally Championship this year it looks set to be a fiercely fought series”

Ford becomes third manufacturer to sign-up with BRC

Posted: February 25, 2012 9:27 AM

Just hours before the start of the opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship – the Rallye Sunseeker International – Ford confirmed that it will enter the MSA British Rally Manufacturers’ Championship. Ford joins Renault and Citroen – who have already registered - to make it a three-way battle between the brands for the 2012 season.

Points for the Manufacturers’ Championship will be established by the two highest-finishing cars of each marque overall, which means that any of the crews in Fiestas registered for the BRC will have the potential of helping Ford win the title.

“This is great news and I am delighted that Ford has decided to join the BRC”, said Championship Manager Mark Taylor. “It further underlines that our decision to keep in-step with current trends by making the championship eligible for modern-day, front-wheel-drive cars, is the right one. I am also pleased for our teams, who will now have an even greater opportunity to represent the manufacturer of the car they are driving.”

Whilst Ford continues to compete at world level with its WRC team, it also has a rich heritage within the British Rally Championship, with its cars winning the title 18-times since the Championship began in 1958 and therefore, has recorded more victories than any other manufacturer. The last time an official Ford entry won the title was in 1996, when Gwyndaf Evans and Howard Davies claimed the accolade driving an F2 Escort RS2000.

Citroën joins the British Manufacturers Rally Championship

Posted: February 21, 2012 2:27 PM

Citroën UK has registered for this year’s MSA British Manufacturers Rally Championship, joining Renault as the second UK importer to support this premier rally series.

Citroën’s involvement goes further towards making the BRC’s move back to two wheel drive a direction that should create a renewed buzz and is welcomed by Championship Manager Mark Taylor;

“It’s great that Citroën, with such a strong rallying pedigree, has joined the Championship, and we look forward to working more closely with them going forward.

“We recognised the commercial realities currently faced by car manufacturers and their dealerships and specifically created a British Championship to attract UK importers by reducing the usual barriers and high cost of entry. We are providing them with a platform to promote products that relate to what is being sold in the showroom. We are also offering them high quality media products and a chance to engage in rally themed dealer events. Importantly, they will have a stakeholder status in the future of this world renowned motor sport series.”

The news comes as the opening round, Rallye Sunseeker International, draws ever closer and Citroën UK is well represented, with the number one seed, Finnish ace Jarkko Nikara, driving the fabulous Citroën DS3 R3T. Two other BRC registered crews, Northern Ireland's Desi Henry will be joined by Welsh youngster Osian Pryce campaigning their DS3’s for the first time on this weekend's opening round, Rallye Sunseeker.

Citroën UK Communications Director Marc Raven said;
"We are very pleased to be supporting the MSA British Rally Championship as an official manufacturer for the 2012 season. With our strong rallying pedigree, we hope the BRC will increase the opportunity for Citroën to find the next Sébastien Loeb and promote the award-winning DS3 in the UK."

“The concept of privateers scoring points for their chosen marque should promote competitive brand loyalty and add media exposure afforded by proactive manufacturers like Citroën.” concluded Taylor.

Citroën’s assault on the 2012 championship is expected to be further bolstered by another pair of DS3s from round two next month.

BRC launches smart phone app

Posted: February 21, 2012 1:32 PM

Details:

Apps

2012 British Rally Championship IRDC Driver Improvement Award

Posted: February 20, 2012 12:14 PM

The MSA British Rally Championship (BRC) is pleased to announce that for the 2012 season the International Rally Driver’s Club’s (IRDC) innovative Driver Improvement Award Scheme will not only cater for drivers in the main international category of the series, but has been expanded to include the BRC Challenge.

The top four “Most Improved” drivers from 2011 had been placed in the IRDC scheme’s top ten at each of last year’s six qualifying BRC rallies, proving that consistency is the key to winning the initiative, designed to highlight best improvement in driver performance on gravel and asphalt.

The Scheme

The IRDC scheme is open to drivers competing in the six-round 2012 MSA British Rally Championship and the scheme’s objectives are to find the best improvement in driver performance on gravel and asphalt, raise the profile of competitors in the BRC and increase press coverage for the championship and IRDC. Once again for 2012, drivers in the BRC will benefit from free registration to the International Rally Drivers Club and automatic eligibility for the improvement scheme.

How the IRDC Improvement Scheme works

All drivers will have their performance data entered into the IRDC database and their performance improvement will be reported after the second round of the championship and all subsequent rounds.
Points will be counted from all rounds of the BRC
The relative performance improvement will be published as a “league table” i.e. the person with the highest personal improvement will be in position 1
The stage times for each stage on a rally will be sent directly to the IRDC scheme coordinator electronically on the Monday following the event (or as early as possible)
The IRDC will send back to the BRC the league table within 7 working days of receipt of the results
The BRC will publish the details of the highest performance after each round of the championship.

Administration of the IRDC Scheme
The points scored by drivers in the IRDC Driver Improvement scheme are calculated after each round of the championship and show the greatest percentage improvement in a driver’s stage times. The results are factored on careful analysis of stage time improvement and assessed on a rally by rally basis, all facilitated on behalf of the IRDC by Tim Hobbs, international co-driver and an acknowledged authority on international rally driver seeding for many years.

End of Season Awards

MSA British Rally Championship

Cash Award of £300 to the winning Driver
2 x tickets for the end of season BRC Awards Presentation Dinner
2 x trophiesFree membership of the IRDC for driver & co-driver for the following year
Free publicity on the IRDC website / multimedia packages

BRC Challenge

Cash award of £150 to the winning Driver
2 x trophies
Free membership of the IRDC for driver & co-driver for the following year
Free publicity on the IRDC website / multimedia packages

Competition Car Insurance become BRC official supplier

Posted: February 15, 2012 4:23 PM

Competition Car Insurance (CCI) has become the Official Insurance Provider to the 2012 MSA British Rally Championship.

CCI is part of Towergate Underwriting Group Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is an intermediary proving a wide range of motorsport insurance covers. Products include Personal Accident, Motor Trade, Public Liability and various Vehicle road policies suitable for competitors, officials, events and businesses.

"It’s brilliant that Competition Car Insurance has chosen to be associated with the MSA British Rally Championship as our Official Insurance Provider. They have huge experience when it comes to motorsport related insurance and are able to offer BRC competitors, events, teams and partners with key policies and on event advice and services,” said Championship Manager, Mark Taylor.

RAVENOL Oil becomes BRC official supplier

Posted: February 13, 2012 3:05 PM

RAVENOL, the high performance oil and lubricant manufacturer is delighted to announce a partnership with the MSA British Rally Championship (BRC).

RAVENOL, one of the largest independent oil and lubricant manufacturers in Germany, specialises in developing and manufacturing high performance oils and lubricants for the automotive, motorsport and motorcycle markets, as well as producing diverse products for agriculture, commercial vehicle, industrial, and marine applications.

RAVENOL, who in 2012 are launching their range of high performance oils and lubricants into the UK market, will be partnering with the BRC and a number of other high profile motorsport championships and teams to raise awareness of the RAVENOL brand and to demonstrate the technical excellence of RAVENOL products.

"We are delighted that RAVENOL has chosen to join us as a key partner and use the British Rally Championship as the Official Oil & Lubricant Partner. We look forward to working closely with the RAVENOL team to raise awareness and demonstrate the excellence of their high performance oils and lubricants,” said Championship Manager, Mark Taylor.

RAVENOL Motorsport Manager Martin Huning comments,
“RAVENOL is proud to become a key partner to the MSA British Rally Championship and as the championships Official Oil & Lubricant Partner, provide the BRC and their competitors with access to our range of high performance motorsport oils and lubricants.”

RAVENOL products are no stranger to motorsport, having already been used in the World Rally Championship, World Touring Car Championship, FIA GT1, European Truck Racing and Powerboat racing to name a few. RAVENOL is represented in the UK by German Oil Limited, whose Managing Director Brian Chase and Sales Director Dave Mott are both former rally driver and co-driver respectively, with a combined experience of around thirty years in the oil industry.

Dave Mott, Sales Director adds,
“The MSA British Rally Championship is one of the most high profile motorsport championships in Europe, and is the perfect platform for launching RAVENOL’s high performance engine oils and lubricants in the UK. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with the BRC and its competitors.”

KORHONEN AND PIRELLI ALL SET FOR BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: February 9, 2012 12:46 PM

The British Rally Championship, which has been supported by Pirelli for the last six years, was launched to media last week in Curborough: a sprint venue just down the road from the headquarters of Pirelli UK in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.

A wide variety of competitors, teams and cars were present – including the strikingly liveried Pirelli Star Driver car of Jukka Korhonen: the latest of a long line of drivers to get a fully-paid drive in the British Rally Championship courtesy of the renowned Italian tyre firm.

This year the British Rally Championship switches to a two-wheel drive only format, so the for the first time the Pirelli Star Driver car is a Skoda Fabia R2: a state of the art 1.6-litre rally car that puts out in excess of 170 bhp through a sequential gearbox.

Korhonen will contest all six rounds of the British Rally Championship, starting with the Rallye Sunseeker International, based in Bournemouth from 24-25 February. The event is run mostly on gravel, meaning that Korhonen will be making use of Pirelli’s famed K6 gravel tyre, which has already racked up an impressive winning record at home and abroad.

We caught up with Pirelli’s protégé as he put the new Skoda through its paces, and acted as a high-speed chauffeur as he gave the assembled media a taste of what life behind the wheel was like…

Q&A with Jukka Korhonen, 2012 Pirelli Star Driver

Jukka, what are your impressions of driving the Skoda Fabia R2 for the first time since you were selected as Pirelli Star Driver?
JK: “Mostly I am just very happy and very grateful to Pirelli for this amazing opportunity! I only did a few kilometres at the press day, just for fun and to give people some rides in the rally car, but that was enough to remind what a good car this is. It’s certainly one of the top R2 cars out there and I think we can fight for the overall win on every rally; that is the target.”

So your aim is to win the championship?
JK: “That is why we are here; it has to be our objective. I was looking at the British Championship trophy that was here during the press day and there are some very famous Finnish names on it. It would be fantastic if we were able to add our name to that trophy – and I think we have the car and the tyres to do that.”

How important is testing going to be?
JK: “Testing will be very important: I still need to understand the car and there is a lot that is new to me. Luckily the TEG Sport team is working very well so I hope I can learn quickly. Tarmac in particular is a completely new surface for me: I have only driven on asphalt during the Pirelli Star Driver shoot-out and at the press day just now. But I’m not worried: this is a very nice challenge for me and I think we can do well on Tarmac also.”

And at the same time you’re driving on the Finnish Championship with Pirelli tyres as well?
JK: “Yes that’s right; I have a Mitsubishi Evo 9 in Finland, which is the first time I have experienced a four-wheel drive car. It’s very different to the Skoda but I think it is good for you as a driver to switch between cars: it means that you need to concentrate very hard on your driving style and really understand how different cars behave.”

The Finnish Championship has already started: how did you get on?
JK: “We had a really good start at the Arctic Rally in January: we finished fifth overall and we were setting the same sort of times as Juha Salo, who is a six-time Finnish Champion. Terenzio Testoni, one of the senior tyre engineers from Pirelli, came out to Finland. He was really helpful and gave us a lot of advice about the tyres, which I am sure made a big difference. Now we just have to make an equally good start in Britain!”

How are you going to prepare for the British Rally Championship season?
JK: “In Finland I still have my Ford Fiesta R2 car from last year and I am going to drive that to get some practice. The Skoda is actually more powerful than the Fiesta, but it helps to be driving the same basic type of car. Then we hope to do some testing with the Skoda, and of course I’ll be listening carefully to all the advice I get about the tyres from the people at Pirelli. If you are really familiar with the different types of tyre and what they do, then it helps your performance. Really, I just can’t wait to start: driving is the best preparation!”

For more information about Jukka Korhonen please visit: www.jukkakorhonen.net

MATT COTTON RETURNS TO THE BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: February 9, 2012 11:48 AM

After a break of over 3 years from international rallying, Cornish rally driver Matt Cotton will return to the British Rally Championship (BRC) in 2012. The purchase of an ex Elfyn Evans Ford Fiesta ST has enabled Matt to end his sabbatical from driving by entering both the BRC and the Fiesta Sporting Trophy.

Britain’s premier series starts on the Rallye Sunseeker in February and the Two Wheel Drive format has been designed to attract the best rising talents in British and European Rallying.

Matt said;
“There’ll be some fierce competition in the BRC and Fiesta Trophy this year, but I think my past experience will enable me to set some consistent times. It’s a massive challenge, but I really can’t wait to get back behind the wheel”.

Adding to the challenge will be the fact that Matt’s new car is left hand drive and he has never driven one of those in anger before. “I don’t think holiday hire cars count, but I’ve been loaned a left hand drive recce car that I’ll be able to use in between events, so I don’t think it’ll be a major problem.”

Matt`s last outing in the BRC was in 2008 with a Citroen C2R2 in which he placed 3rd overall in the Cup. As with many privateers, Matt has had to struggle to find the required finances to complete the entire season. He says; “It’s always been tough to find a budget to compete, let alone in the British Rally Championship, but it’s what I love so it’s just a case of working hard with our sponsors and making sacrifices in other areas of my life.

For 2012, Matt will be co-driven by long time friend Glyn Thomas from North Somerset. Although they have only competed together once before; Glyn has been no stranger to the BRC structure over the last 4 years. He also brings additional support from his Rally Collection UK business, a technical partner of the team.

The Fiesta will be prepared and run by AVS Motorsport and Colin Ridgeway Motorsport in Wrexham who plan to also enter the BRC in the Teams Cup.

To keep up to date with Matt`s progress throughout the year, to read his blog which will be updated both on and off events and to see what technical and corporate partner opportunities are available with the team, simply visit www.mattcottonrallying.co.uk

Mantis partners with British Rally Championship

Posted: February 9, 2012 11:46 AM

JML’s range of Mantis high performance car care products have had an association with the MSA British Rally Championship (BRC) since 2010 and this year Mantis will continue that support as an official partner to Britain’s premier rally championship.

In 2010 Mantis Instant Shine was endorsed by the BRC’s Swift Sport Cup, producing a TV commercial featuring the 2009 champion in action and in 2011 the company ran a competition with the ten winners treated to a fantastic rally experience. The association grew last year as Mantis sponsored the Duns spectator stage on the Jim Clark International Rally.

“We are delighted that Mantis has decided to use the British Rally Championship again this year as a key partner and have increased their involvement with us. It’s great to work with a product and marketing team who are so enthusiastic about the BRC and the opportunities it provides. I know they have an exciting advertising campaign planned for later in the year and we are looking forward to working closely with them,” said Championship Manager, Mark Taylor.

Building on this relationship, Mantis’ partnership with the BRC will bring the high performance car care products closer to an audience that is used to speed and performance.

“Mantis and the British Rally Championship have enjoyed a fantastic relationship over the past 2 years and we look forward to another exciting year together. We are proud to support the up and coming drivers of today to ensure a continued high quality pool of talent for tomorrow.” said Thomas Bateman, Mantis Head of Creative.

The range of Mantis high performance car care products includes its revolutionary waterless car cleaner and gloss booster, Mantis Instant Shine, as well as Scratch Remover and essential microfibre cloths.

Renault UK signs up for 2012 MSA British Manufacturers Rally Championship

Posted: February 1, 2012 4:01 PM

1998 and 1999 British Rally Champions, Renault UK has become the first manufacturer to sign up for the new two wheel drive 2012 MSA British Rally Championship.

With most manufacturers having homologated two wheel drive cars, the British Manufacturer’s Rally Championship has been reinstated and allows registered manufacturers and UK importers to vie for the title of becoming British Champion.

The new concept signs up Renault UK to a promotional partnership and whilst manufacturers could still choose to run a works team, for 2012 the two highest placed privateer Renault rally cars will still score top points for the Manufacturer’s Championship.

Mark Donnelly scored two BRC F2 podiums in his Renault Clio in 2011

BRC Manager Mark Taylor commented.
“It’s brilliant news that Renault UK are the first to sign up to the Championship. We recognised the commercial realities currently faced by car manufacturers and their dealerships and specifically created a British Championship to attract UK Importers by reducing the usually barriers and high cost of entry.

“We are providing them with a platform to promote products that relate to what is being sold in the showroom. We are also offering them high quality media products and a chance to engage in rally themed dealer events. Importantly, they will have a stakeholder ship in the future of this world renowned motorsport series.“

This decision by Renault to join the manufacturer’s championship further proves that the decision to move to two wheel drive was the correct one. With the vast majority of car makes having two wheel drive road-cars, it means the potential for close competition is much greater than before. It also benefits the drivers who score points, as they will gain additional recognition via the association with the marque.

Jeremy Townsend, Communications Director for Renault UK said,
“Renault has a long and very successful motor sport heritage and the announcement today adds to the commitment we have in the UK to our national championships.”

For more information on the MSA British Rally Championship visit

British Rally Championship

BRC points amendment - No Bonus Points for Stage Wins

Posted: February 1, 2012 3:57 PM

The MSA British Rally Championship has been obliged to make an amendment to its regulations concerning stage-based bonus points.

The regulation allowing bonus points to be awarded for fastest stage times contravenes the Motor Sport Association regulation 40.1.5 which states:
“There must be no awards for Competitors who equal or improve upon the time schedules for any sections, nor for the fastest times or fewest penalties on any sections.”

Consequently, paragraph three of the BRC regulation 5.3.1 is no longer valid.

Championship Manager Mark Taylor said:
“We offer our apologies to the MSA and to any competitor who may be inconvenienced by this change in the regulations. The error is down to us and due to an oversight following an exchange of emails between the championship and the MSA.”

The online regulations have now been updated. This amendment does not affect the BRC Challenge or Production BRC.

British Rally Championship

BRC makes a bonus point

Posted: January 22, 2012 1:10 AM

This year’s MSA British Rally Championship will adopt a bonus scheme for crews who push to the limit. Following the success of the fastest stage time points bonus in the World Rally Championship Academy, BRC organisers have decided to introduce the same system on all six rounds of the British series.

The scheme will reward the fastest crew in each class with one extra point per stage win. This not only benefits those who drive fast and finish well, but allows a crew that retires towards the end of an event to pick up some points for their efforts.

With 20 points on offer for a win, 18 for second, 16 for third, going down to a single point, the potential of additional points will depend on the number of stages. Next month’s Rallye Sunseeker International, the season’s opening round, has twelve stages and therefore twelve extra points up for grabs: an incentive to ‘have a go’ if ever there was one.

Registrations for the BRC, BRC Challenge and Production BRC are rolling in and the deadline for early registrations was due to end today. However, recognising that many competitors are still finalising deals for cars and sponsorship, the three championships will continue these early registration fees for the remainder of the season.

PIRELLI EXTENDS BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CONTRACT

Posted: January 13, 2012 9:28 PM

Pirelli has announced that it has committed to a further two years as tyre provider to the MSA British Rally Championship.

The premium tyre manufacturer has been control tyre to the series since 2007 with the previous agreement due for completion at the end of 2012. However, as part of its ongoing commitment to national-level motorsport, Pirelli has signed a deal with BRC organisers to ensure it is sole tyre provider until the end of 2014.

The BRC takes in six rallies, across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The series kicks off with three gravel rallies starting at the Rallye Sunseeker International in Poole and Bournemouth before heading to Welshpool in Wales for the Bulldog Rally North Wales and then up to the Pirelli International Rally in Cumbria. Competitors and their teams then head over the Scottish border to the Jim Clark International Rally where they contest the first of two tarmac rallies; the second being the Todds Leap Rally Northern Ireland a month later. Finally, the cars return to England to take on the International Rally of Yorkshire.

“Each of the six rallies have different surfaces and challenges that place a whole range of demands upon the tyre,” explains Carl Naylor Motorsport Manager at Pirelli. “This not only enables the drivers to learn a range of driving skills and techniques, but means that they have to learn tyre control and strategy; and important part of being a world-class rally driver.

“We have provided the Pirelli Scorpion K6 gravel tyre and K4 tarmac tyre to the series for a number of years now and drivers have found them to be extremely durable and reliable while offering them the grip required of these demanding rally stages. We’re really pleased to be able to commit to the BRC for a further two years and believe that with all the changes being made this year, it’s going to be a very exciting series to be involved in. This deal also takes in the Pirelli Star Driver programme for 2013 and 2014.”

This year, the BRC has decided to make the series for two-wheel-drive cars only, making the sport more accessible to drivers with smaller budgets and to entice manufacturer involvement.

“The move to two-wheel-drive will generate closer competition and close up the difference between the entry- level classes and the cars running at the front of the field”, explains Mark Taylor from the BRC. “It will also cap the cost of competing at the highest level in the UK and provide a clearer ladder of progression for newcomers to the sport, with the combination of these features enabling more drivers to aspire to a British Rally Championship title.

“We have had a fantastic working relationship with Pirelli over the past 11 years and are delighted to have this extension to the contract signed. We believe we are the best National Rally Championship in the world, which means we are pleased that the best tyre manufacturer in the world is on board.”

As well as providing tyres to the series, Pirelli gives one young driver a fully paid season in the series. This year, 27-year-old Finn Jukka Korhonen won the shoot-out and will contest the BRC as the Pirelli Star Driver in a Skoda Fabia R2.

This year also marks the 21st anniversary of Pirelli sponsoring the Cumbrian round of the championship, which is based near the tyre manufacturer’s main UK plant in Carlisle and takes in stages of the Kielder Forest.

JUKKA KORHONEN ELECTED 2012 PIRELLI UK STAR DRIVER

Posted: December 17, 2011 1:03 PM

UK Pirelli Star Driver Final - (Mon) 14 Nov 11

2012 BRC regulations now available

Posted: December 9, 2011 10:00 AM

MSA British Rally Championship organisers are pleased to announce that regulations and entry forms for 2012 are now available and can be downloaded from the championship website.

The publication of these regulations heralds the dawn of a new era for the British Rally Championship, as next year sees the introduction of the much-anticipated two-wheel-drive only formula.

Now seen by many as a move that will bring sustainability, affordability and closer competition to the sport at top UK level, BRC organisers are pleased to report that, over the past few months, the championship has increasingly attracted the attentions of competitors – both new and existing - from home and abroad.

In comparison with those of 2011, the 2012 British Rally Championship regulations include the following significant changes:

• Two-wheel-drive cars only
• Three prestigious British titles for Drivers, Manufacturers and Juniors
• The British Manufacturers’ Championship is open to registered car Importers, with point-scoring based on the two highest placed competitors in the relevant make of car
• The British Junior Championship is limited to under 23 year olds driving Class 10 (Rally 1) cars only
• The BRC Teams’ Cup is open to professional motorsport teams entering two cars
• Pirelli Star Driver Competition nominees must enter a minimum of four events

Added to this, the revised and forward-thinking format specifically for R1, R2 and R3 cars has been met with considerable interest by manufacturers, the media and the public as Championship Manager Mark Taylor explains:

“This is not only a significant time for us as Championship organisers, but also for the sport as a whole. Following the announcement of our intentions in the summer of 2010, we have had more and more people from all walks of the sport – both in the UK and overseas – support the format we have put in place for 2012. Initial reactions amongst competitors has been extremely positive, so we therefore look forward to receiving entries for what promises to be one of the most exciting and most talked-about seasons ever.”

For Regulations and more information on the MSA British Rally Championship visit:

British Rally Championship

Successful gravel test for Twingo R1

Posted: November 24, 2011 4:10 PM

The Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy UK rally car completed a successful test at the Sweetlamb Rally recently.

The Monster Sport Europe-prepared car was driven by Geoff Jones. Fresh from testing a Mini WRC car ahead of Rally GB, the respected driver and engineer was impressed with the entry-level 1600cc one-make series car.
“It’s a good overall package and is fast enough to get really good speed. We have improved the suspension today and the handling is very neutral.” concluding, ”It’s a perfect one make series car that has to be driven in a certain way to get the best out of it. I’d rally it.”

MSE engineer Yasuhiro Ishii was very pleased with the results of the test.
“Despite the R1 regulations being very restrictive, we have made improvements and importantly completed over 100 kilometres of testing on a gravel surface with no damage or component failure.”

The test session took place on a two kilometre loop and included a big jump, rutted sections, several water hazards and plenty of contours. The test concluded by simulating a 25 kilometre stage, representing the longest gravel stage currently held in the British Rally Championship.

Renaultsport Trophy Manager Simon Moss concluded,
“Everyone at the test this week was delighted with the car, we intend to do more endurance testing, but the performance of the R1 Twingo bodes well for the new championship.”

The Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy UK and separate R2 series provides competitors with a chance to win a prize drive in 2013 Rally Monte Carlo as well as an on-event prize fund.

2012 BRC – a class act

Posted: October 21, 2011 9:46 AM

With the introduction of its two wheel drive only format for 2012, the MSA British Rally Championship will broadly adopt the FIA’s new class structure which is based on the premise of lowest number, quickest car.

Since classes 1-4 are taken by four wheel drive machinery, the BRC’s classes will run from Class 5 to Class 10, with some small modifications to suit the British market.

The MSA British Junior Rally Championship age limit will be 23 years to align with the four MSA country championships and drivers will be limited to homologated R1 cars which will run in Class 10.

Regulations for the 2012 MSA British Rally Championship will be published in mid November but will be subject to MSA approval and no registrations will be processed until this approval is given. Mindful of the continuing economic climate registration fees will be held at 2011 prices for those who register prior to 1st January.

BRC classes*

Class 5: FIA homologated Rally 3 category two-wheel-drive cars, including Diesels, Super 1600s and Group A cars (non kit) above 1601cc up to and including 2000, includes the Citroën Racing DS3 Trophy.

Class 6: FIA homologated, Rally 2 category and Group A two-wheel-drive cars up to and including 1600cc. Includes Citroën Racing C2R2Max Trophy, Fiesta R2 SportTrophy and Twingo Renaultsport R2 Trophy UK.

Class 7: FIA homologated Group A two-wheel-drive cars up to and including 1400cc, including Kit variant models.

Class 8: FIA homologated Group N two-wheel-drive cars above 1601cc up to and including 2000cc.

Class 9: FIA homologated Group N two-wheel-drive cars up to and including 1600cc.

Class 10: FIA homologated Rally 1 category two-wheel-drive cars up to and including 1600cc. Eligible for the MSA British Junior Rally Championship, includes Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy UK.

Four-wheel-drive cars, Group N4 and A7 Kit Variant cars are not permitted.

*subject to MSA approval

Cal McCarthy looks to BRC in 2012

Posted: September 25, 2011 10:20 PM

There was a real buzz at the cosy Curborough Sprint circuit near Lichfield, as Citroën Racing, M-Sport. Peugeot Sport, Renault Sport Technologies, Autosport Technology, Monster Sport Europe, CA1 Sport, 586 Sport, Eurorallye, RPM Performance, JAM Motorsport, Pirelli UK, Revolution Wheels plus representatives from the BRC events all turned out to support the event.

Potential customers from all corners of Great Britain and Ireland attended, along with interested crews from Switzerland, Italy, France and Holland, all keen to sample the cars and see what the 2012 MSA British Rally Championship has to offer.

Cal McCarthy
"The open day was fantastic. Well organized, friendly, and as a championship, wide open! All the teams/manufacturers very happy to discuss plans and offer runs out in the cars. I had a run in Twingo R1 and R2, Fiesta MS1 and R2, Clio R3, 207RC R3 and Citroen DS3 R3 which Citroen also kindly allowed me to drive.”

Speak to Cal McCarthy at the Clare stages rally at the weekend
"I am looking at a few options for next year. Nothing is set in stone as of yet, but a run in the BRC in an R3 car is looking a real possibility at the moment. The Citroen was an amazing car to drive and a real step up from the C2R2 which we hired for the Cork Forestry Rally. With the new rules for next year's BRC it give us a level playing field and makes it a lot more accessible to competiters.

Also see:

www.irishjuniorrallying.com/news_19.html

Six rounds for 2012 MSA British Rally Championship

Posted: September 12, 2011 9:30 AM

The 2012 MSA British Rally Championship will feature six classic events in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland These will include a mix of one and two-day events on asphalt and on gravel.

Rallye Sunseeker International will once again host the opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship. Based in Bournemouth and Poole, this well-organised gravel event features a high profile promotional start and a compact one-day route and therefore, provides an excellent way to kick-start to the new season.

A visit to the forests of North Wales and Cumbria takes up the next two rounds. Both the Bulldog International Rally North Wales and the Pirelli International Rally will run two-day, 100-mile gravel surface formats that provide a real test for competitors.

The surface then changes to asphalt, with a visit to Duns and the Scottish Borders for the Jim Clark International Rally. The BRC then heads across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland for Todds Leap International Rally NI.

The season finale, International Rally Yorkshire, will return to a two-day format in 2012 and will again be based in the seaside town of Scarborough. It will use the classic North Yorkshire Moors forests of Dalby, Cropton and Langdale, therefore providing the perfect showdown to decide the 2012 MSA British Rally Champions.

With six rather than seven events, the biggest change to the calendar is the resting of International Rally Isle of Man, formerly the Manx Rally, for next year.

Championship Manger Mark Taylor said:
“We are keen for Rally Isle of Man to plug the gap in the summer calendar which left the championship feeling fractured this year. However, despite the event being currently unable to commit to its return in 2012, we have agreed with the organising committee to leave the summer date available for a potential return in 2013.”

“Mindful of the ongoing economic situation, we believe that a six-round championship is a good short-term move. Along with the switch to two-wheel-drive, this will further help reduce costs towards participating in the 2012 British Rally Championship.”

So that competitors and teams can give something back to their sponsors, BRC organisers have decided to use the summer slot to run a dedicated promotional event. Further details will be announced before the start of the season.

Championship Rounds

Posted: September 12, 2011 9:29 AM

Media Day (pre season promo – non point scoring) - 9 Feb 12
1. Rallye Sunseeker International - 24-25 Feb 12
2. Bulldog International Rally North Wales - 23-24 Mar 12
3. Pirelli International Rally - 27-28 Apr 12
4. Jim Clark International Rally - 1-2 Jun 12
   Sponsors Live Day (promotional – non point scoring) - 22 Jul 12
5. International Todds Leap Rally NI - 17-18 Aug 12
6. International Rally Yorkshire - 28-29 Sept 12

Pirelli Star Driver scheme revealed for 2012 British Rally Championship

Posted: August 24, 2011 12:02 PM

Italian tyre firm Pirelli is to continue the Star Driver scheme in the British Rally Championship for the fifth consecutive year in 2012, by introducing a new car into the series.

Next year’s Pirelli Star Driver will compete in a Skoda Fabia R2, run by British team TEG Sport – which has fielded the Star Driver entry for the last three seasons. Pirelli has chosen an R2-specification machine to help drivers make the transition from the BRC to the FIA WRC Academy, a support category to the World Rally Championship, which uses the company’s tyres as standard.

The Pirelli Star Driver Scheme gives one up-and-coming young driver the chance to have a fully-funded season in the British championship, following a shoot-out and selection process by a panel of experts.

Some of the brightest talents in the British Isles have emerged through the ground-breaking scheme, such as two-time British champion Keith Cronin and rising talent Elfyn Evans – who is currently second in the British championship standings.

Up to now, the Pirelli Star Driver programme has always used Group N production models, but next year the car will be a brand new Skoda Fabia R2, built to the latest specifications laid down by the FIA: world motorsport’s governing body.

The new front-wheel drive car provides a perfect entry level to international competition, putting out nearly 180 horsepower from a 1.6-litre engine, helped by a five-speed sequential gearbox and bespoke suspension. The new Skoda was developed by the factory in the Czech Republic for two years, before being released for sale in March.

Carl Naylor, Pirelli Tyre UK’s motorsport manager, commented:
“We’re delighted to be continuing the Pirelli Star Driver scheme next year, which has helped so many young drivers find a foothold in the sport in the past, and very excited about introducing a new type of car to the British championship. The way that the structure of international rallying is evolving, with young drivers increasingly learning their trade in two-wheel drive cars – such as the Pirelli-backed WRC Academy on the World Rally Championship – led us to pick the new Skoda Fabia R2 as the perfect car for our 2012 Pirelli Star Driver. Once more, we’re delighted to be working with the TEG Sport team again in 2012, which has consistently demonstrated the high standards of professionalism needed to succeed at this level.”

TEG Sport team principal Stuart Newby added:
“We’re very excited to be working with Pirelli for a fourth year. Without doubt the Skoda is one of the best cars out there and it was clear from our visit to the factory in the Czech Republic that the engineering is at a very high level. It was important to choose an R2 car to keep the BRC in line with the WRC Academy because we’re seeing more and more Academy drivers doing selected BRC events. ”

The selection process for the next Pirelli Star Driver will take place in November this year, with the winner embarking on a full British Rally Championship programme throughout the 2012 season, which is expected to take in seven events. The winner will use Pirelli’s Scorpion rally tyres on gravel and P Zero rally tyres on asphalt, with the Italian firm having been the exclusive supplier to the British Rally Championship since 2006.

Four wheel drive; over but not out

Posted: January 19, 2011 5:14 PM

Following the announcement that the MSA British Rally Championship will only be for two wheel drive cars from 2012, Championship Manger Mark Taylor has pledged that there will be a home for the four wheel drive cars which will be unable to compete in the BRC. “Outside of the BRC, discussions with competitors and teams are ongoing and there is significant interest in creating a series purely for four wheel drive cars.” he said, “but UK Rally is keen to point out this will not have the British title or indeed conflict with the objectives for the BRC. Instead ideas surrounding a “Masters” series are being drawn up, based on Group A8 and Group B13 four wheel drive cars only.

Whilst the series would in the main be held at rounds of the BRC, the competitors would enter stand alone events, such as the rally held in Northern Ireland for world rally cars in 2010, so as not to conflict with other rallies. It would be featured in the media as a competitive arena for past rally champions and competitors who enjoy their four wheel drive cars, seeking to compete on longer single day events with high media profile and quality television coverage.

Whilst we eagerly await the outcome of the MSA’s review on stage rallying, it is hoped that more details should emerge by Easter 2011.”

BRC spells out its future from 2012 - 2WD

Posted: January 19, 2011 5:12 PM

Spelling out the vision for the future, UK Rally, organisers of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship have confirmed that the series will be open to two wheel drive cars only from 2012 onwards. The move is designed to re-establish and lower the cost base for competitors, engage with UK car manufacturers and importers and put the BRC on a firm footing for the next five years.

The 2012 Championship will solely focus on competition with homologated two wheel drive cars up to two litre engine capacity, as well as cars that are still homologated in groups A & N, it includes the new breed of Group R class cars currently produced by Renault, Peugeot, Suzuki, Ford, Citroën and Honda. Following discussions with manufacturers it is also known that other marques are expected to homologate two wheel drive cars in 2011 these include Mini and Skoda.

Manufacturer based single make series will continue to feature as the foundation and ongoing discussions about incentives include works-drive type prizes similar to those run successfully in the past by Peugeot UK and Mitsubishi GB.

The series will retain its international status which has been successful in attracting foreign competitors from all over the world. The MSA British Rally Championship for drivers and co-drivers will be fought out in overall honours from qualifying international rallies limited to two wheel drive cars. The British Teams Championship will once again become a manufacturer and makes featured series, which as well as being open to factory teams will encourage participation from privately owned motorsport outfits running their own works supported cars.

The British Junior Championship will be focused on the Rally 1 class, a manufacturer backed one make series where budding juniors will be able to showcase their talent and incentives will be provided so that natural progression up the Group R categories is realised.

Contracts that are already in place for 2012 include Sky Sports who will continue to showcase the series with high definition technology. Pirelli will continue to provide the control tyres and with it, the coveted Star Driver programme.

Mark Taylor:
“We are at a cusp in the sport and firm leadership is required. Having spent months in discussions with competitors, teams, car manufacturers and organisers, I believe this is the future for the British Rally Championship. With the loss of Group N, retaining four wheel drive cars and the rising costs attributed to that type of car is just unsustainable here in the UK.

2011 will be the final year for the four wheel drive, Group N and Super 2000 cars in the BRC. We have not made it a secret that we were going to move in this direction but with competitors looking at significant investments, I couldn’t delay the announcement any longer. One season notice gives current owners time to realise their investment whilst giving prospective purchasers a choice.

Our focus on creating a world renowned series for potential rally champions, keeping a lid on the costs, providing good competition, camaraderie and a place where competitors have ambition to compete using the very best events in the UK, remains resolute.”