Rally GB (P,A) - 10-13 Nov 11

PIRELLI STAR DRIVER BREEN WINS INAUGURAL WRC ACADEMY TITLE

Posted: February 23, 2012 9:35 AM

Irishman Craig Breen – one of the six Pirelli Star Drivers selected to contest this year’s inaugural WRC Academy series, which runs on Pirelli tyres – has won the title on the season-closing Rally GB.

Pirelli is the official tyre supplier to the entry-level class, which pitched 16 young hopefuls together on six asphalt and gravel WRC events this year. They drive identical Ford Fiesta R2s prepared by the British M-Sport organisation.

Breen won the class on the Rally GB, his second win of the season, but the result left him tied on points with Estonian Egon Kaur, who claimed the first three rallies of the season. Under the WRC Academy rules, a tie-break is decided by the number of stage wins, and with more stage wins than his rival, Breen was crowned champion. In order to win the title Breen needed to win the event and win as many stages as possible – which is exactly what he did, claiming a 500,000 Euro scholarship prize.

“I can’t find words to describe this moment,” said the 21-year-old. “For sure it’s the most amazing feeling to finally get here after all the effort we’ve put in all year, and for it to go down to the last stage of the last rally is incredible. The prize has given me most part of next year’s budget, and I can put my own budget to the following year, so it’s guaranteed two more years in the sport I love. I’m so grateful to Pirelli for this opportunity: what better prize could there be?”

As always, the Rally GB was characterised by cold weather conditions with mud and rain: perfect for the debut of Pirelli’s K6 gravel tyre, making its first appearance on the WRC Academy. This tyre is designed to heat up quickly, even in cold weather, and features a tread pattern design that allows it to bite through soft mud and find grip on the firmer surface below. Despite the difficult conditions, the drivers were able to push hard with only two punctures recorded – both the result of heavy impacts with rocks.

Rally GB brings to an end a remarkable debut year for the WRC Academy and particularly the six Pirelli Star Drivers – Fredrik Ahlin, Breen, Jan Cerny, Andrea Crugnola, Brendan Reeves and Molly Taylor – who have had the cost of their seasons underwritten in a joint venture between Pirelli and the FIA: world motorsport’s governing body.

Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery said:
“It doesn’t get more exciting than this, with the result going down to the last stage of the last rally and the top two tied on points! Both drivers have been very impressive throughout the season, underlining our philosophy of bringing on young talent. Obviously for Craig to win as a Pirelli Star Driver proves the value of this unique scheme that we introduced in collaboration with the FIA in 2008. Rally GB provided a huge challenge again with difficult weather and slippery surfaces, but the drivers adopted the perfect strategy and the tyres were completely reliable. It's not just Craig and Egon who have impressed but all the drivers in the Academy, demonstrating that the future of the sport is in safe hands.”

Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena 2011 World Rally Champions

Posted: February 22, 2012 4:26 PM

Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, who set out this morning to take the fight for victory to Jari-Matti Latvala, were unable to defend their corner to the very end of the rally. The Citroën Total World Rally Team crew was hit by a car coming in the opposite direction on a liaison section and had to retire at the start of the last day of the race. This incident did not prevent Citroën Racing from celebrating their eight-time world champions on the podium in Cardiff! Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia finished the event in 11th place.

The fourth day of Rally Great Britain consisted of six stages for a total of 84 km, and it promised to be the theatre of a thrilling duel between Latvala and Loeb. Unfortunately, the no. 1 Citroën DS3 WRC was forced to retire on the liaison section between SS18 and 19. “It’s a pity because I would have liked to have finished the battle with Jari-Matti. What happened is fairly ordinary: we were on a narrow road and we came upon a car on the top of a crest where there was no visibility. The Spanish driver had the wrong reflex and pulled in to the right and we collided,” explained Sébastien Loeb.
“The radiator was damaged and we were out on the spot. It’s proof that a rally isn’t over till you’re back in the parc fermé!”

After recovering the car, the technical team did everything necessary to make it presentable for the podium opposite Cardiff castle.
“We won’t let this incident spoil the party,” said Frédéric Banzet, the Citroën General Manager. “Sébastien, Daniel and Citroën Racing have achieved a remarkable season. Ten victories in thirteen rallies, the manufacturers’ and drivers’ titles, new records set: the whole team has more than fulfilled the expectations of the make. From Sweden to Great Britain, the WRC has helped us to showcase our Créative Technologie on four continents. These victories and these titles have helped embed rallying a little deeper in Citroën’s genes!”

“So far we haven’t really had time to celebrate this title as we were completely involved in the rally. Again this morning we had to get up at 4h30 to go and tackle the stages,” added Loeb. “Now we can celebrate it at last with the whole team. All the titles are important and memorable as they’re never put together in the same way. This season, the overall level was very high and we had to fight right down till the last rally. I’m proud to have become the most-titled racing driver, even if one shouldn’t really try and compare the different branches of the sport. I never thought I’d achieve this when I started my career!”

While the Citroën Racing mechanics were busy putting the no. 1 DS3 WRC back into shape, no. 2 continued racing in the Welsh forests. Sébastien Ogier set three fastest times on the last day and finished the event in 11th place:
”Going through each stage twice has helped us to understand the difficulties of this rally a bit better. It’ll be useful to us next time we race here. We’re trying to go quick enough to validate our notes and enjoy ourselves at the same time. I’d like to congratulate Sébastien and Daniel on their titles. Once again, they’ve proved they’re simply the best and that really deserves respect.”

Resourceful Fisher lands WRC Academy Championship podium on Rally GB

Posted: February 22, 2012 4:18 PM

Alastair Fisher needed to use all is ingenuity to finish third overall in the final WRC Academy Cup standings when the series concluded on Wales Rally GB on Saturday evening (November 12).

The new-for-2011 category enabled some of the world’s best young rally drivers to fight it out for a scholarship of 500,000 Euros on six rounds of the World Rally Championship in identical Ford Fiesta R2s.

Fisher, from Trillick in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, needed to finish ahead of Spanish rival Yeray Lemes on the final round in Wales to claim a coveted top three finish in the final drivers’ table.

He was on course to do just that when drama set in prior to the final stage, as the 23-yearold explained:
“The steering column had broken so we had to strap it to the roll cage of the car for the last stage using a ratchet strap. With a precise and smooth approach we got through it and thankfully we had a big enough gap to hold onto our third position.”

Despite 2011 being his first season competing in the World Rally Championship, Fisher underlined his potential as a star of the future by claiming his maiden victory on Rally of France. He also led the first round of the championship in Portugal and put in a strong performance in Finland to lead by 30 seconds before an accident.

“Finishing third in the championship is a good result when you consider some of the problems we’ve had during the year,” said Fisher, who is co-driven by Daniel Barritt from Burnley, Lancashire. “We ran inside the top three on all the rallies both Tarmac and gravel so that is a positive. Okay, if we’d had some more luck we could have challenged for the title but we’ve gained lots of experience that will help us if we can secure the budget to come back to the WRC Academy in 2012.”

Of his performance on Rally GB, which used a combination of high-speed forest tracks, military training areas and even an all-asphalt toll road, Fisher said he was satisfied as third in the championship was his aim from the beginning of the event.
“I would have liked to have pushed harder but throwing third place away would have been foolish after a hard year’s work,” he said. “This has been the toughest rally of the year with all the various conditions we’ve had. We were running in a comfortable second but we got stuck on the inside of a hairpin left on the final stage on Friday evening in the fog. We were lucky as there were several spectators who pushed us out and got us back on the road.”

Alastair would also like to thank his family, friends and sponsors for their support throughout the season.

Breen wins World Rally title

Posted: February 22, 2012 2:58 PM

Waterford’s Craig Breen has won the World Rally Championship Academy title after a dramatic last day at Rally Great Britain. Breen won the title following victory in 5 of today’s 6 stages in Wales, claiming the title and the €500,000 winner cheque.

Breen went into today’s last day knowing that he would have to win four of the six stages to be in with a chance of victory but with Championship rival Egon Kaur winning the first stage today the pressure was increased on Breen meaning he had to win 5 stages. However the 21-year-old responded with a flawless last five stages to finish fastest on each and win the rally by 4 minutes and 36 seconds from Kaur.

This left both drivers on 111 points for the season but on count-back of stage wins across the Championship Breen was declared the World Rally Championship winner with more stage victories than the Estonian. The former Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year won 14 out of 17 stages across the weekend to secure the Championship.

Breen was delighted after the victory; “It’s an amazing feeling,” said Breen. “I know I was the quickest driver over the whole series so to win is just brilliant.”

Alex Sinclair, Chief Executive of Motorsport Ireland, was first to congratulate Breen;
“This is a fantastic occasion for Craig, his team and for Irish motorsport. We knew that Craig had the talent to compete at World level and this has shown everyone that he has the potential to go on and become a full World Rally Champion. This is just the start of what will be a very exciting career for Craig and for Irish motorsport,” Sinclair said.

Craig Breen Crowned FIA WRC Academy Champion

Posted: February 22, 2012 2:51 PM

In an unbelievable climax to the FIA WRC Academy Championship, Irish Rally Driver Craig Breen was crowned World Rally Championship Academy Champion and claimed prize of €500,000 amidst jubilant scenes on Saturday evening in Wales at the end of Wales Rally Great Britain. As the title went all the way to a cliff hanging final stage the 21-year-old from Waterford withstood the pressure to bring off the biggest win recent Irish Rallying history. There were nail-biting scenes at the end of the final stage as Craig crossed the finish line but then was required to wait until his nearest championship rival; Egon Kaur came through in a slower time. It became clear as Kaur neared the end of the test that he was down on time, Craig, his co-driver Gareth Roberts (Wales) and the Breen supporters erupted with emotion as the pressure was finally released and the Irish driver could celebrate his achievement.

The final event of the WRC Academy season setup a final round showdown, winner take all as Egon Kaur (Estonia) on 92 points and Craig Breen (Ireland) on 72 Points were the only two competitors that could take the title. The WRC Academy Championship points scoring system stated: 1st 25 points, 2nd 18 points, 3rd 15 points, 4th 12 points, 5th 10 points, 6th 8 points, 7th 6 points, 8th 4 points, 9th 2 points, 10th 1 point and the extra feature of a bonus point being scored for every fastest stage time within the class.

The odds were still stacked against Irish driver Breen, as he was required to win the rally and if Kaur finish second, he would be required to win fourteen of the seventeen stages that made up the event.

The final event of the six round WRC Academy series got under way on Thursday afternoon and entailed a double run of the Great Orme tarmac stage in North Wales. The opening day was then completed with the first foray into the Welsh forests for the 15.7 km stage of Clocaenog. Breen was pipped on the first stage by Australian Brendan Reeves by 1.1 second but on the rerun of the test Breen set his first fastest stage time of the weekend taking the overall lead by 2.1 sec. Then as the cars took on the first gravel test Breen showed a clean pair of heels, extending his advantage to 26.8s. His championship rival Kaur made a slow start and was down in sixth place, 53 seconds as the Academy went for the Thursday overnight halt.

Friday started early with the 19.72 km’s of Gartheiniog and Craig was ready for the task setting equal fastest time with Alastair Fisher on the stage four morning opener.

Then over stages 5, 6 and 7, the Waterford man was in a class of his own. On Stage 5, Breen was 5.7sec quicker than Egon Kaur is main rival for the WRC Academy Championship, on stage 6 Breen was fastest by 4.2 from Fisher and then a perfect morning was rounded off on stage 7 when Craig was again 7.5sec ahead of Alastair Fisher who held second place.

Looking to the bigger picture of the Academy Championship, Breen continued to do his part by leading the event and racking up the fastest stage times. After the morning loop, Breen’s total of fastest times had mounted to six from seven. Championship leader, Egon Kaur’s stage time on Gartheiniog (SS4) moved him into third place on the rally and the consequences of this was that if Craig was to clench the title he would require to win the rally and claim 11 stage wins.

On arrival in service after his incredible morning’s work Craig said,
"I'm very pleased with the way the morning has gone. I have only one option here this weekend and that's to go all out for the win and secure as many fastest stage times as possible. With the current standings in the rally, Egon Kaur is in third place, so I need to win the event and score 11 fastest stage times to take the championship but it’s going well so far. We still have a long way to go."

The weather deteriorated for the rerun as the forecasted rain arrived; this did not deter the Irish driver as Breen continued his assault, taking his fifth fastest time of the day and seventh in total on SS8, Dyfi West 2.

The academy crews then moved to SS9, Dyfi East 2 and yet again Breen persisted with his onslaught of setting fastest stage times, on this one he was 3.6 quicker than Tyrone man Alastair Fisher, who was now 53.3 seconds off Craig’s astonishing pace. Egon Kaur posted the third best time on the 6.72km stage and remained in third overall 1:56.7 in arrears of the Irish driver.

So on to the penultimate stage of Friday (Gartheiniog 2) and there was no beating the Irish driver. On the rerun Craig set 13:27.3 for the 19.72 km’s, Fisher came nearest but was still 8.6 away and Egon (Kaur) dropped another 22.7 seconds. Day-Two was completed with the 21.34km’s of Dyfnant 2 and Breen looked to have completed the perfect day with 8 fastest stage times when he set 17:32.8 and Egon Kaur who entered the stage first of the academy crews dropped 1 minute 46 seconds and the news that Alastair Fisher had suffered a puncture. But there was a late twist when Australian driver Molly Taylor recorded her first fastest stage time of the season going .7 of second faster than Craig. The drama on the stage had two repercussions, firstly with Fisher experiencing the problem, Kaur was elevated to second overall and with Molly stealing Craig of another fastest stage time, the Irish driver would require 5 fastest stage times on the final day.

At the end of the final stage Craig reported,
“I set myself the task this morning to go for it but not take any risks. I’m over the moon with the amount of fastest stage times but we never went over the limit. We took it a stage at a time and as we entered midday service our confidence was very high. Over the repeat loop the stages were very wet and greasy. I was happy to set a good pace and with a good rhythm the fastest times continued to flow. There’s bad news on that last stage as Alastair has dropped time elevating Egon (Kaur) to second place.”

The final day in the inaugural season of the FIA WRC Academy was played out over a double loop of Hafren, Sweet Lamb and Myherin, three of the most famous ‘special stages’ in World Rallying. There was a change to the opening two days starting order where championship leader Egon Kaur led the academy field into each stage, for the final day Craig held the honour.

Craig entered the stage 31st on the start order and posted 21:59.5, Kaur began his final day’s assault on a charge and took his first fastest time of the weekend. Breen hit back on the short Sweet Lamb 1 stage SS13 and then on the final test in the morning loop both Breen and Kaur battled it out with the Irishman taking it by 1 second.

This setup a dramatic final loop of three stages with Breen still requiring all three to tie the championship points table and win the series on count back of fastest stage times throughout the year. Kaur was off the pace on the rerun of Hafren 2 (32.14km) and finished 18.3sec down on Craig who racked up stage win number twelve of the weekend. Number thirteen for Breen quickly followed on the short 4km Sweet Lamb 2, SS13 where the Estonian again lost 15 seconds to Craig.

So on to the final stage of the 2011 season. By virtue of his better overall position Craig entered the stage eleven minutes before his arch rival, Kaur. As Craig negotiated the last 27km of the year it became clear his time would be slower than his earlier run, by the end the Irish driver posted 18:15.0, then, as Craig describes it,
“The longest 11 minutes of my life”, World Rally radio’s Colin Clark was on hand and in constant contact with base to pass on Kaur’s split times as the came through. Over the early splits the Estonian was just up on Craig but then it began to turn, by split five Craig .9s up and at the final split Craig was 1.8 up. There was a brief lull as Craig and his supporters breathlessly wait for Kaur’s final time. Then as only Colin Clark can deliver, he announced that Craig had beaten Kaur and clenched VICTORY. Questions and Answers with Craig after winning the CHAMPIONSHIP,

Craig, you’re the inaugural FIA WRC Academy Cup champion. How good does it feel?
“I can’t find words to describe this moment. For sure it’s the most amazing feeling to finally get here after all the effort we’ve put in all year, all the ups and downs we’ve made it to the finish. We’ve finished level on points but we’ve got it on stage wins so we’re absolutely thrilled.”

You had to win all three stages this afternoon to get enough bonus points to take the title. How hard was that?
“I’d got into quite a good rhythm so I wasn’t thinking too much about the stages. I was just trying to be fast and carry good speed.”

Did you believe you’d leave here with the title?

“We were 100 per cent committed when we came here. We knew what we had to do and I never lost the faith. I didn’t lose it in Portugal, in Sardinia. We kept it going all year and I think belief is the main thing here. I’ve got a fantastic group of people back in Ireland that follow me and believe in me just about as much as I believe in myself. We left until the last stage of the last rally to get that finally. To do it is just amazing.”

You’ve not only won the title but you’ve also claimed the 500,000 Euros scholarship to invest in the next stage of your career. How important is this?
“It means onwards and upwards but this is a very small step on a big ladder and I can’t wait for next season. It’s been one of the most important afternoons in my driving career and we’ve done exactly what we needed to do, nothing more, nothing less. A perfect day.”

And what is the plan for 2012?
“We’re going to be at the start line on Rallye Monte-Carlo in the S2000 ready to win. The prize has given me most of next year’s budget and I can put my own budget to the following year so it’s guaranteed two more years in the sport I love so what better prize could there be.”

And what about your co-driver Gareth Roberts. What role has he played in your success this year?
“He’s kept my feet on the ground this weekend, which is not an easy job. Having to leave service for the last three stages knowing there was no possibility other than to win them all was very difficult. But he’s really kept me on the straight and narrow so it’s all credit to him. He’s the littlest Welsh wizard but the best of them for sure.”

MINI Report

Posted: February 22, 2012 2:46 PM

The MINI WRC Team’s drivers were fighting to the very end of Wales Rally GB to give the team a great result on the last event of its first year in the World Rally Championship. Kris Meeke (GB) and Paul Nagle (IR) finished the event in fourth, while Dani Sordo (ES) and Carlos del Barrio (ES) set the second fastest time in the final test of the day, the Power Stage at Monument, and finished 20th overall.

Meeke left Cardiff in the early hours of the morning 45 seconds behind the third placed Ford of Henning Solberg (NO). From the first stage of the day Meeke was determined to do everything he could to snatch a podium on his home event, and by the start of the final stage of the day the gap was down to 1.8 seconds. Unfortunately he hit a rut and had a half spin and this was enough to put paid to his challenge.

David Richards, Team Principal:
“This event, like so many others, has had its ups and downs. Kris I am sure will reflect on that half spin on the last stage and what might have been, but there have been so many other occasions on the event when we could have also done a little bit better or had a bit better luck. At the end of the day when I look back on this rally and think where we have come in six months – Dani and Kris have achieved five top five positions in only six events – quite honestly the team has come of age and this is only just the beginning for the MINI WRC Team.”

Dirk Hollweg, Head of MINI Motorsport:
“We are overwhelmed by the success of the team, which is much better than expected. We are very happy with the performance of the whole team and the drivers and we have a great spirit. This is of great benefit to the MINI and the John Cooper Works brand. This is exactly what we wanted.”

Dave Wilcock, Technical Director:
“It has been a good day. Kris had a big challenge to make up the ground between himself and Henning Solberg , with 45 seconds to find which averaged to just over half a second a kilometre. He was completely on track with that until the Power Stage when he had to find 1.8secs to match Henning’s time and take a podium. Unfortunately a couple of corners in he had a half spin in one of the ruts and it was enough for Henning to secure the podium. Still we are very happy with fourth and Kris’ performance on the event. Dani’s very uncharacteristic mistake on Friday meant he was in the SupeRally. We wanted to build his confidence for the future in these conditions and did this, as he was setting competitive times and second on the Power Stage is something we are very pleased with. We got both cars to the finish, they are in reasonable shape, and we have learnt an awful lot. For the drivers it was difficult physically, as there were some very long road sections to contend with, but they came through it very well. It was a tough rally for the car and we are very pleased with its general reliability. This has been a testing year for us, it has been a good rally to finish on and overall we are very happy with the result as the team has worked extremely hard. Also important to what has happened this year has been our partnership with Michelin. It is a very good relationship and we work together very well. We share all our information with them in order to maximise the performance of our tyre, and the results have proven that the partnership is working very well.”

Dani Sordo (MINI John Cooper Works WRC No 37):
“I was pushing a little bit on the Power Stage but Sébastien Ogier was going really fast. I enjoyed the second run through the stages today. However, after the first day it is difficult to push when you have nothing to fight for. Despite what happened on Friday, I am happy and now I have a lot more confidence in the car in the conditions we have had here in Wales. Although the sun was shining, today many parts on the tarmac with gravel tyres were slippery. The season has been interesting because the car has become better and better. Obviously we now need to develop it more.”

Kris Meeke (MINI John Cooper Works WRC No 52):
“All in all we had a pretty good weekend. We had a few issues during the rally, which perhaps cost us about three minutes. Still I am very disappointed with the Power Stage, as when it came to producing the goods we didn’t, made a mistake and paid the price, but that is the way it goes. Hopefully there is a bigger future for us than fighting for third overall, as in a year’s time we want to be able to fight for a win. I feel very positive about the season as for a new car and a new team to be in there challenging for podiums is fantastic.”

Latvala wins Rally GB as Ford claims podium clean sweep

Posted: February 22, 2012 2:44 PM

Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team's Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila today won Wales Rally GB as Fiesta RS World Rally Cars powered to a 1-2-3 finish on the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship. The Finns claimed their fifth world rally victory, and their first since July last year, as the Fiesta RS WRC took eight of the top nine places in the demanding four-day event.

Latvala won by 3min 42.9sec after winning 11 of the 23 speed tests in the muddy Welsh forests, leading home Mads Østberg / Jonas Andersson and Henning Solberg / Ilka Minor from the privately-entered M-Sport Stobart Ford squad.

The success of the Fiesta RS WRC on this 13th round of the season mirrored the car's triumphant debut in Sweden in February, when team-mates Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen headed a similar podium clean sweep.

Heavy rain turned the gravel forest tracks into a muddy mess. Grip was at a premium during the opening two days, before brighter weather generated better conditions for the final two legs. The event covered the length of Wales and after starting at Llandudno in the north on Thursday afternoon, competitors tackled 353.53km of competition before this afternoon's finish in Cardiff in the south.

Latvala felt unwell during the first full day of competition, but as his health improved so did his pace and he ended the leg just 1.1sec from the lead after a thrilling duel with Frenchman Sébastien Loeb. The 26-year-old moved ahead yesterday afternoon but a slender 6.1sec advantage meant there was still everything to fight for during today's final six special stages, covering 84.04km in the Brecon Beacon mountains and over the Epynt military ranges.

Latvala widened his lead during the opening stage, but when Loeb was forced to retire the Ford Abu Dhabi driver measured his pace over the remaining tests. Nevertheless, he won two more stages en route to the finish at Cardiff Castle.

'It's a great way to end the season,' he admitted. 'It has been a long time since my last win and I've endured some frustrating times since then, but they're now over. 'Everything came together during the second half of the season and I'm so pleased to win here. It's my 10th Rally GB and it's the rally where I began my WRC career in 2002, so it feels like a home event for me.

'When Seb retired this morning the pressure lifted from my shoulders. I eased my pace and didn't take any risks, although the change from driving flat out to driving more cautiously was tricky. But I found the right rhythm and kept my concentration, which isn't easy when you're not driving on the limit. The team did a great job all year and this was a brilliant way to close the season,' he added.

Latvala also won the Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally Award in recognition of his performance.

Team-mates Evgeny Novikov and Denis Giraudet finished seventh in another Fiesta RS WRC in their debut for the Ford Abu Dhabi squad. 'Conditions were really tricky during the first part of the rally and I decided to set my target on simply finishing. Despite a few problems I did that and I'm happy to have made it without the dramas that some drivers encountered,' admitted the Russian driver.

Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson said Latvala's victory provided 'great consolation' for the team after Hirvonen and Lehtinen's hopes of securing the drivers' world title ended in retirement on Friday.

'Jari-Matti was a class act throughout the weekend. He had some pressure during the first morning when he wasn't relaxed but after that he was in great shape and nobody had an answer to his speed. We started the rally hoping for a world title. Sadly that wasn't to be, but a victory, a clean sweep of the podium and eight Fiesta RS WRCs in the first nine places was a great consolation,' he said.

Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn said:
'We had a tough season and to come here and lose Mikko so early was a bitter disappointment. However, we bounced back and Jari-Matti showed his improved form with a thoroughly deserved victory. I'm delighted for him considering the superb role he played in supporting Mikko in recent rallies. He is a true team player.

'The Fiesta RS WRC took a 1-2-3 and it's fitting the car ended the season in the same way it started, by locking out the podium places. My congratulations also go to Craig Breen and Gareth Roberts who won the FIA WRC Academy Cup title yesterday in a Fiesta R2,' added Quinn.

News from other Ford teams

Mads Østberg / Jonas Andersson claimed their second runners-up spot of the season for the M-Sport Stobart Ford team, with team-mates Henning Solberg / Ilka Minor taking their best result of the year in third. Matthew Wilson / Scott Martin finished fifth, ahead of Ott Tänak / Kuldar Sikk, whose career-best sixth place marked an outstanding debut in a Fiesta RS WRC. FERM Power Tools crew Dennis Kuipers / Frederic Miclotte were eight and Monster World Rally Team's Ken Block / Alex Gelsomino completed the Fiesta RS WRC cavalcade in ninth. Martin Prokop / Jan Tomanek completed the Fiesta RS WRC finishers in 22nd, completing the rally under SupeRally rules after retiring on Friday with suspension damage.

KUIPERS SCORES FOUR IN A ROW

Posted: February 22, 2012 2:41 PM

Dennis Kuipers finished eighth in the slippery final round of the FIA World Championship. The FERM Power Tools World Rally Team has successfully conquered the tough conditions at Wales Rally GB at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

It is the fourth consecutive time that Kuipers and co-driver Frederic Miclotte bring home World Championship points and also the seventh time this year. 'Our goal was to finish this season on a high and it has been absolutely successful,' said Kuipers at the finish.

The final rally of the season was a test of strength and the FERM team were served the typical Welsh dish of rain, fog, mud and slippery gravel roads in the stunning Welsh countryside. 'The grip level was different everywhere so we had to make sure that we were always on guard. On some sections the mud was sticky but on other stages it was slippery like oil,' said Kuipers. Despite these tricky conditions Kuipers progressed from 13th position to the eight at the end of the rally.

After Germany, the magnificent fifth position in France and Spain, it is the fourth consecutive time that Kuipers and Miclotte finish in the top ten. 'This statistic shows the progress we have made this season', says Miclotte. 'In Wales, we have proven that we are also getting quicker on gravel.'

Wales Rally GB brings ten extra points to the FERM World Rally Team and fifth position in the manufacturers' championship, confirming a strong debut season of the team. The season finale brought four extra points for Kuipers in the drivers' championship and the Dutch driver finishes 12th in the final standings.

RECORD-BREAKING DOUBLE PODIUM FOR STOBART IN WALES

Posted: February 22, 2012 2:39 PM

British-based M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team have ended the final round of this year’s FIA World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB, with Mads Østberg and Henning Solberg claiming the team’s first ever double podium. Team-mate Matthew Wilson finished fifth at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC securing his best result on home soil.

The team’s stunning result has rounded off an incredible season for the Cumbria-based squad who have now claimed eleven podium finishes since the team’s inception into the WRC in 2006. It also marks the second time that 24-year-old Østberg and co-driver Jonas Andersson have finished on the podium after securing the runner-up spot at the WRC season-opener in Sweden at the start of the year.

Wilson and co-driver Scott Martin’s fifth place not only marks the pair’s best finish at the British round of the WRC, but also secures their most successful season to date as they have racked up four top five finishes this year. Wilson’s ten points haul has also seen the British driver move ahead of Dani Sordo as he finishes the year seventh in the drivers’ championship, 25 points behind team-mate Østberg.

Henning Solberg’s third place marks the Norwegian’s first podium result since 2009’s Rally Poland. It marks Solberg’s sixth podium in the WRC but is the first podium with co-driver Ilka Minor who has not finished in the top three in a WRC event since 2006.

This format of this year’s WRC finale underwent a facelift for 2011 with the itinerary starting in the seaside town of Llandudno in northern Wales on Friday and finishing in Cardiff today [Sunday].

Østberg and Andersson’s rally got off to a strong start after the Scandinavian duo set the fastest time at the pre-event shakedown test on Wednesday. At the end of Thursday’s three opening stages, Østberg was 0.5 seconds adrift of sixth place despite reporting a small problem with power in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC. Team-mates Matthew Wilson and Henning Solberg were ninth and tenth respectively.

Friday’s stages were set in the Dyfi and Dyfnant Forests where the treacherously slippery road conditions proved troublesome for several WRC crews. The M-Sport Stobart Ford crews, however, took advantage of the other drivers’ misfortunes to charge up the WRC leaderboard. Østberg led the way for the Cumbria-based squad and finished the day third overall. It marked the first time that the Stobart team finished a full day of action at the British round of the WRC in a podium position.

Wilson battled with fellow British driver Kris Meeke throughout Friday. He was 30 seconds clear of Meeke before the day’s closing stage but heavy fog hindered the 24-year-old Englishman’s charge and dropped Wilson back to ninth. With only 8.1 seconds separating the two British drivers, the set was scene for an enthralling battle on Saturday. Solberg held fifth at the end of Friday’s leg.

With only 7.8 seconds separating Østberg and fellow countryman Petter Solberg going into Saturday’s stages, the M-Sport Stobart ace was eager to push his Ford Fiesta RS WRC to the limit in order to hold off the 2003 World Rally Champion. A retirement for Solberg on the road section to Stage 12, however, eased the pressure for Østberg who had a trouble-free morning.

At Service E the M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team dominated the top five spots of the WRC leaderboard with Østberg leading the way in third place. Solberg was fourth, one minute and 10.5 seconds ahead of Wilson who rounded off the top five.

Solberg produced a polished performance throughout Saturday and the M-Sport Stobart driver moved into fourth following his younger brother’s retirement. With Meeke only 45 seconds behind Solberg, the Norwegian driver was keen to push ahead of the Briton in order to secure his best result of the season. Sunday proved dramatic as eight-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb retired after an incident on the road section to Stage 19. All three M-Sport Stobart crews took advantage of Loeb’s misfortune as Østberg moved up to second, Solberg into third and Wilson rounded off the top five.

Eager to secure his first podium result since 2009’s Rally Poland, Solberg put in a tremendous effort to try and prevent Britain’s Meeke from snatching third. The battle went down to the wire as only 1.8 seconds separated the two drivers going into the event’s closing power stage. Despite Meeke’s best efforts, Solberg edged ahead during the final stage and the delighted Norwegian finished the final round of the WRC on the podium for the first time this season.

Mads Østberg said:
“I am so happy right now. This is the perfect end to the season and to finish on the podium alongside Henning [Solberg] and Jari-Matti [Latvala] who are such nice guys is even better! Loeb’s exit was unfortunate - it was through no fault of his own so maybe we didn’t deserve to finish second but I can’t say that I am not happy to end the year in the same way that it started in Sweden. We pushed a lot to gain some positions on Friday and we managed to get through the last two days to move even further up the leaderboard. It’s been an up and down year but overall I think everything has gone well. We’ve worked really hard and I’ve been really happy with our pace over the last couple of rallies. I’m also really pleased with how we have improved our pace on asphalt. I always said I wanted to finish this year with another podium so to end the season with this result feels very good!”

Henning Solberg said:
“It was a good fight with Kris [Meeke] today. I tried to keep calm and just look at the times to make sure we could try to stay ahead. I am very, very happy to finish on the podium and it’s my first time alongside Ilka, so that is really good. For sure, it has been a really tough year but this is just the most perfect way to end the season. I will now speak to my sponsors for next year so I hope this result will help secure us a good deal for 2012. It’s great to see eight Fords in the final top ten and it’s even more amazing to have two podium spots going to Norway!”

Matthew Wilson said:
“Wow, what a weekend! It’s been a long rally with a lot of action but it’s been a good event for us and our team-mates. It’s fantastic to see Mads and Henning on the podium, they really deserve it. We’ve not made any big mistakes although we struggled with the very slippery road surfaces at times on Friday. We’ve really enjoyed today, the sun has been shining and we’ve finished our home event with our best result ever which is the icing on the cake! I really enjoyed the stages up near Llandudno in the north and with all the fans up there it has been a very positive change to the format. I love the forests here in Wales - the stages are fantastic and the fans are unbelievably supportive. We’ve found a good rhythm today and we’ve been able to enjoy ourselves too so we are very happy.”

M-Sport Stobart Ford Team Principal Malcolm Wilson said:
“Today’s double podium result has rounded off an incredible season for the M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team. All three drivers have finished this year’s event with their best ever result on British soil and it’s a fantastic achievement for Stobart to have started and ended the season on the podium. Mads has been a joy to work with this year. He has a mature head on his shoulders and has an extremely exciting future ahead of him. Matthew has had a very strong year, he’s finished in the top five more than any other season and to finish 2011 with his best ever result on home territory is the perfect ending, both for him and for the British fans. To have Henning finish on the podium is the icing on the cake. He and Ilka have worked hard this year and they very much deserve that spot on the podium alongside Mads. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sébastien Loeb on his eighth World Rally Championship title.”

Results

Posted: February 22, 2012 2:35 PM

1 J-M Latvala/M Antilla Ford Fiesta RS WRC 3 hours 27 mins 03.5 sec
2 M Østberg/J Andersson Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 3 mins 42.9 sec
3 H Solberg/I Minor Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 7 mins 05.1 sec
4 K Meeke/P Nagle MINI John Cooper + 7 mins 12.3 sec
5 M Wilson/S Martin Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 8 mins 57.3 sec
6 O Tanak/K Sikk Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 9 mins 27.1 sec
7 E Novikov/D Giraudet Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 9 mins 47.7 sec
8 D Kuipers/F Miclotte Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 10 mins 12.7 sec
9 K Block/A Gelsomino Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 16 mins 01.2 sec
10 A Araujo/M Ramalho MINI John Cooper + 17 mins 01.6 sec

Full Results: www.wrc.com

Videos: Shakedown

Posted: November 9, 2011 9:11 PM

Fisher aims for strong finish on World Rally Championship finale

Posted: November 9, 2011 9:06 PM

Alastair Fisher will tackle his home round of the World Rally Championship for the first time this week when he contests the final event of the inaugural WRC Academy season, Wales Rally GB.

Alastair, from Trillick in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, has impressed throughout the campaign on both gravel and Tarmac, winning the previous round in France and scoring several fastest stage times in the Ford Fiesta R2 he shares with co-driver Daniel Barritt (Burnley, Lancashire).

Currently fourth in the WRC Academy Cup standings, Fisher can finish as high as second in the final table but has set his sights on clinching what would be a fine third place by overhauling Spanish driver Yeray Lemes, currently 10 points in front of him.

“We started the season aiming to win the title and with a bit more luck that definitely would have been possible as we have had the speed,” said the 23-year-old. “But I’ve gained a huge amount of experience so I’m going to do all I can to get the budget to come back next year and become champion. As it is, third place in the championship would be a great result and that’s my target on Rally GB.”

Fisher prepared for the event, which uses a combination of high-speed forest tracks, military training areas and even an all-asphalt toll road, with a test in his homeland last weekend. Although it was not possible to replicate the slippery conditions he will encounter this week, the session helped Fisher to reacclimatise to running on gravel following the asphalt-based round in France last month.

“It’s always good to get time in the car before a rally and I was pretty happy with what we achieved,” said Fisher. “From the stages we’ve covered in the recce so far I know it’s not going to be an easy event but I’ve got some experience of driving in the Welsh forests so I’ve got a good idea of what to expect.”

Fisher and his 16 WRC Academy rivals will tackle 17 stages over a competitive distance of 168.37 miles. The opening two stages use the Great Orme toll road in the seaside town of Llandudno followed by the first forest stage, Clocaenog on Thursday evening. Friday’s itinerary consists of eight stages based around service halts in Builth Wells in mid-Wales.
Saturday’s timetable features six stages with the finish scheduled for Builth Wells on Saturday evening.

Videos: Drivers Interviews on Reece

Posted: November 8, 2011 10:58 PM

Karl Atkinson to co-drive for Chris Duplessis in the WRC Academy

Posted: November 8, 2011 5:22 PM

2010 2WD Rally America National Champion Chris Duplessis has made the best of his limited seat time in Team O’Neil’s Ford Fiesta R2 by winning his class at Rally America’s New England Forest Rally and the 2WD class at the Mount Washington Hill Climb. Now the 24-year-old native of New Hampshire is primed for a bigger challenge competing against some of the WRC’s brightest up-and-coming stars.

Duplessis will represent Rally America, RallyStream.TV and Team O’Neil Rally School in the 2011 WRC Academy finale at the Wales Rally GB November 10-13. The WRC Academy is the entry point to the WRC ladder system - a single spec series where all drivers will compete with identical Ford Fiesta R2s prepared by M-Sport on control tires by Pirelli.

Duplessis will pilot an M-Sport R2 Fiesta thanks to the backing of Rally America and RallyStream.TV, and the opportunity provided by Ford Racing.

“This opportunity would not be possible without Ford Racing, Rally America and Team O’Neil Rally School. They are providing me a chance to go out and compete in the Wales Rally GB,” said Duplessis. “An opportunity like this is huge for someone looking to grow in the sport but it’s also about helping shine a light on the growing sport of rally in the U.S.”

“Tim [O’Neil] and I had already planned on building a Fiesta R2 and so we worked hard, got it done and showed up to race at STPR and New England where we were running strong and has some great results. Through that, the opportunity with Ford Racing came about for me to compete in Rally GB. This really is a dream come true. To have an opportunity like this is ridiculous; none of the other manufacturers in North American rally come close to Ford. Others might offer you parts support, but that is about it. Ford has gone above and beyond in what they need to do.”

The opportunity for Duplessis came about through the relationship between Ford Racing, M-Sport, Rally America and Team O’Neil Rally School.

Ireland's Karl Atkinson will co-drive for Chris Duplessis.

Videos: Pre Event Testing

Posted: November 8, 2011 1:46 PM

Ken Block:


Mads Ostberg


Dani Sordo

Paint It Orange Campaign Releases Film Edit

Posted: November 8, 2011 1:01 PM

The film is intended to give context to the Paint It Orange campaign as motorsport remembers ten years since Richard’s 2001 World title and today’s ongoing work of the Richard Burns Foundation as it endeavours to improve the circumstances of others facing neurological injury and illness.

Zoe Scott, Richard’s former girlfriend and carer during his illness said,
“Naturally, we’d all rather remember Richard as an athlete and a fit and healthy young man, but the brutal reality of his illness was that it had a devastating effect upon Richard – both mentally of course, and physically. Six years down the line, those that were close to Richard – his friends and family – have taken the brave decision that Richard’s suffering can be harnessed positively to show how damaging and debilitating brain cancer can be – and hopefully this will inspire the support that the Richard Burns Foundation needs and deserves as it tries to help others in Richard’s memory.”

The film release is part of the Paint It Orange campaign, in which no less than 30 stars of international motorsport from Sebastian Vettel to Sebastian Loeb have pledged their support. They have been photographed in a commemorative orange t-shirt which remembers the 10th anniversary of Richard’s career triumph on the 2001 Network Q Rally to inspire members of the public to buy the shirt and, in the process, make a invaluable charitable contribution.

The assembled mass of stars proudly wearing their commemorative Richard Burns shirts can be seen on the Richard Burns Foundation website and its Facebook pages. The charity is promoting the sale of the commemorative t-shirts at Grandstand Merchandise and you too can rub shoulders with the stars by buying a shirt and posting your photo alongside the charity’s growing number of celebrity supporters.

As the official charity of Wales Rally GB, a select number of t-shirts signed and endorsed by WRC and Formula One drivers - along with other money can’t buy auction lots - will be released for auction on Saturday night of the Wales Rally GB at a specially convened auction hosted by Sky Television’s Jon Desborough at the Rallyfest event in Cardiff.

All funds raised from the “Paint It Orange” campaign will help to address the startling lack of neurological provision in the UK. Neurological injury and illness is a bigger cause of serious disability in the UK than cancer, heart disease and diabetes put together. Over a million people – half of these children and young adults – suffer a head injury every year. Alongside neuro injury, neurological illness has an incredible diversity of manifestations, from foetal diseases such as Spina Bifida, through to conditions that afflict the young, such as Cerebral Palsy & Meningitis; the unrelenting assault from neuro conditions continues through adult life, with brain tumours about 30% as common as breast cancer. And neuro illness follows us into old age, with the widespread incidence of conditions ranging from Parkinson’s to Dementia & Alzheimer’s.

The ambition of the Richard Burns Foundation is to fund the first hospital-based Brain Centre, where members of public can access walk-in support and advice to provide guidance for the array of neurological conditions from MS, Motor Neurone Disease & Schizophrenia to Autism and stroke, to name but a few. The Richard Burns Foundation is committed to supporting the Brain & Spine Foundation to spread the Brain Centre project nationally.

WORLD RECORD HOLDER – RICHARD PARKS – JOINS THE FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: November 8, 2011 12:28 PM

Former Welsh International and Barbarian flanker, Richard Parks, will be present during the ‘shakedown’ test in the final build up to this week’s eagerly awaited Wales Rally GB (10-13 November). The official shakedown is based at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on Wednesday 9 November.

Having been forced to retire from the game following a career ending shoulder injury, Parks has just conquered the world via a unique 737 Challenge. In July he became the first man to stand on the summits of the highest mountains in each of the world’s seven continents as well as all three poles (the South Pole, the Geographical North Pole and the summit of Everest) in the same calendar year – a remarkable feat he completed in less than seven months, raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The world record holder will be joining the stars of the FIA World Rally Championship on the eve of Wales Rally GB – the final event of a thrilling 13-round globe-trotting series that itself has ventured to all four corners of the Earth including Australia, South and Central America, the Middle East and Europe. And, of course, a rally that will see a new World Champion crowned in Cardiff on Sunday evening with the title battle finely poised between Mikko Hirvonen and defending champion Sebastien Loeb.

“Richard has certainly conquered the world in 2011 and so his presence at an event that will culminate with the crowning of this year’s World Rally Champion is particularly welcome,” said Simon Long, CEO of WRC promoter North One Sport. “Like all top rally drivers, Richard clearly has a tremendous taste for adventure and his unprecedented feats are truly astonishing.”

As well as meeting the top teams, Parks will experience a passenger ride during the pre-event shakedown courtesy of the M-Sport Stobart Ford Rally Team. He will be available for photo calls and interviews throughout the morning. For more information on Richard’s amazing achievements please visit www.737challenge.com. Copyright-free photographs of Richard’s visit to the WRC will be available on request.

Craig Breen Rallying: FIA WRC Academy Showdown

Posted: November 7, 2011 12:19 PM

Egon Kaur (Estonia) 92 points, Craig Breen (Ireland) 72 Points, World Rally Great Britain the final round in the inaugural season of the FIA WRC Academy. The scene is set for the two top drivers in series go head to head in the final Showdown for a prize of €500,000.

After a season long battle it now comes down to the 17 stages that make up World Rally Great Britain. Being 20 points in arrears, Craig faces an uphill task if he is to grasp the 2011 Academy crown.

The WRC Academy Championship points scoring system:

1st 25 points, 2nd 18 points, 3rd 15 points, 4th 12 points, 5th 10 points, 6th 8 points, 7th 6 points, 8th 4 points, 9th 2 points, 10th 1 point.

WRC Academy Rally GB consists of 17 special stages, meaning there's a potential 17 points on offer for being the fastest on every stage.

There are multiple permutations resulting with championship success for the Irish young driver and to illustrate Craig’s task, if he wins the rally and Egon were to come second, Craig would still be required to win 14 stages to take the title.

Championship Recap:
The Estonian racked up the majority of his points total with a hat trick of victories on the opening three events, Craig however has never given up on taking the title to the last event and has fought all the way to bring the championship to a final round showdown in Wales.

Round 1. The opening event slipped from the Irish drivers grasp when he slipped off the road when leading in Portugal with only four stages remaining.

Round 2. Sardinia turned into Fiesta R2 carnage when a total of 6 crews were sidelined on special stage four, Breen was lucky in the fact that he was able to Superally for day two of the Italian event but Kaur was there to pick up his second win in a row.

Round 3. Finland was without doubt the battle of the season, it was the first time for Craig to register a finish and claim major points, the Irish driver only being separated from Kaur by 2.6sec after two days of action and the pair fighting all the way to the last stage.

Round 4. The highlight of the season for Craig came as the championship moved from gravel to asphalt and his maiden win came among the vineyards of the Mosel region. Kaur did take four championship points from the first tarmac event but looked very anonymous for the first time.

Round 5. The Northern European driver (Kaur) continued to struggle on the sealed surface in France but Breen was again setting the pace and was in with a real chance of overhauling his rival. This ended however when Craig crashed out early on day two while leading. Kaur also suffered the same outcome, scoring no points in an event for the first time in the series.

In the intervening time since WRC Academy France, Craig reverted to his Fiesta S2000 for what turned out to be two fantastic outings. First came on IRC Rally of Scotland where after three demanding days in the Scottish highlands the Irish drivers reward was fourth overall.

Craig's last event saw him take on WRC Spain in the Super S2000 category. He took on the event with the strategy to build up his speed over the three days but again from the start impressed setting very competitive stage times. A broke driveshaft halted his progress early on day two but Craig continued securing fourth in SWRC and 15th overall.

After returning home from Catalunya, Craig's attention has turned to Rally GB.

Craig said,
"I'll going to Rally GB with only one strategy and that's to go all out. There's no big secret here as I've only got one option and that's to attack from the start. I know it's a big ask but the confidence is high. Of all the Academy events this year I'm the only driver to hold the rally lead, my one win came on Tarmac but on the gravel of Portugal and Finland I had the speed. These events are different to Wales but the conditions we expect next weekend will be very like Rally Scotland. Plus Rally GB has been very good to me over recent seasons. Last year, I suffered problems on the first day in the S2000 but battled on the get a good result. Back in 2009 we also had to fight over the Welsh stages but I dug in and came away with the FSTi title. I've carried out extensive testing this week and I'm now fully prepared to give it everything."

Hirvonen pins world title hopes on final round win in Britain

Posted: November 7, 2011 11:47 AM

Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team’s Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen start next week’s Rally GB (10 - 13 November) knowing that victory could deliver them a maiden world title. The Finns lie second in the FIA World Rally Championship drivers’ standings in a Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car, and one of the sport’s classic fixtures will decide the outcome of an absorbing season.

Hirvonen lies eight points behind arch-rival Sébastien Loeb heading into the 13th and final round. A maximum 28 points are available from the four-day rally and the points permutations are complex. But 31-year-old Hirvonen has set his sights on nothing less than victory in the challenging forests of Wales to give him the best opportunity of landing Ford’s first drivers’ world title since 1981.

“The only thing I can do is aim to win the rally. If something unexpected happens to Loeb, I may not need to win anymore, but from the outset, the sole target has to be victory,” he said.

“If I win the championship, it would mean so much to so many people. It's the reason I'm here, and has been the goal since I started rallying – to be the best and to win the world title. It would be the perfect reward for the whole team, which has worked so hard. For me and my family and all those people who have helped me since the beginning of my career, it would be huge," added Hirvonen.

Rally GB has undergone a facelift for 2011, with a fourth day of competition adding an endurance factor to the already tough gravel speed tests. Fast forest tracks taking in the length of Wales account for the bulk of the competitive distance, but the unpredictable winter weather is traditionally the toughest challenge for drivers.

Tree-lined sections high in the hilly forests contrast with wide-open stretches and while the forecast suggests ice and snow are unlikely, fog and rain could be a threat. In damp and gloomy conditions fog hangs between the trees, while also throwing a white blanket across exposed areas on high ground, frequently reducing visibility to a few metres.

Rain is forecast both before and during the rally, and the gravel tracks can quickly turn to mud as grip becomes increasingly inconsistent. However, Hirvonen, winner here in 2007, is not afraid of the prospect of tough conditions.

“In Wales, everything depends so much upon the conditions. If they’re tricky, you need to be confident, trust the pace notes and take risks, even though you can't see so well in places. That’s where you can really make a difference, and sometimes it really is a case of win or bust. I wouldn’t mind if it rained because if the conditions are bad, there’s more chance of the unexpected,” he said.

“Although it’s short, the final Power Stage could turn out to be one of the biggest stages in rallying history. With bonus points available, the whole championship could be decided by just that one test. We must give huge importance to it, because there could be an awful lot to fight for there,” he added.

Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila are already guaranteed fourth in the final drivers’ standings and the 26-year-old driver hopes to use his experience of this rally to boost Hirvonen’s bid.

“I want to fight for victory and to try to be in a position to help Mikko. Our target is to aim for first and second places. It’s important for the team to put myself ahead of Loeb and take points away from him, so I’ll drive as fast as I can from the start. It will be vital to be sharp and up to speed from the very first kilometre, because if we allow Loeb to build a lead it will be hard to pull him back,” said Latvala, for whom this will be his ninth Rally GB start. Second in 2008 is his best result.

“I have more experience of this rally than any other WRC round, although this year’s route is different. We drive from north Wales to the south and the last time that happened in this rally was more than 15 years ago. I’m looking forward to the new stages. I drove them when I began competing in Britain in 2002 and I recall the roads in Dyfi Forest as being the best in Wales,” he added.

With Khalid Al Qassimi unavailable due to commitments at the Abu Dhabi GP, Evgeny Novikov and Denis Giraudet will take over the third Fiesta RS WRC for Team Abu Dhabi.

“It’s a hugely exciting opportunity to step into Khalid’s Fiesta RS WRC for the final WRC rally of 2011. The Wales road surfaces can be very challenging in rain and fog, so I’m hoping for clear conditions and targeting a strong finish in support of my team-mates, who are competing for the drivers’ championship,” said Novikov.

Team News * Michelin's Latitude Cross gravel tyre will be used by the Ford Abu Dhabi drivers and will be available in soft compound only. Teams are not allowed to hand-carve additional cuts into the tyres and each car can carry two spare wheels.

* Seven privately-entered Fiesta RS WRCs supplement the official entries. Matthew Wilson / Scott Martin and Mads Østberg / Jonas Andersson are nominated by the M-Sport Stobart Ford team, which has also entered Henning Solberg / Ilka Minor. Ken Block / Alex Gelsomino will be at the wheel of the Monster World Rally Team car with Dennis Kuipers / Frederic Miclotte entered by FERM Power Tools World Rally Team. Ott Tänak / Kuldar Sikk and Martin Prokop / Jan Tomanek complete the Fiesta RS WRC entries, both drivers piloting a WRC car for the first time in the championship.

* The three Ford Abu Dhabi-entered cars will each carry a sticker on the roof in memory of MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, who died following a crash while racing in Malaysia last month. Simoncelli tested a Fiesta RS WRC near the team’s Dovenby Hall headquarters in north-west England just a few weeks’ earlier

Rally Route
The rally has a new-look with an extra day added to the itinerary. After being based in Cardiff since 2000, the HQ moves to Builth Wells in mid-Wales, allowing the route to cover the length of the country from Thursday afternoon’s start in the north to Sunday’s finish in the south. After the start in Llandudno, the short opening day includes two asphalt tests around the Great Orme headland, ending with a start ceremony in Conwy and service in Llandudno. Friday brings the return of classic stages in Dyfi Forest last used in the rally in 1997, while Saturday follows the same configuration as last year’s opening leg in Hafren and Myherin Forests. The final leg covers revised stages in the Brecon Beacon mountains and Epynt military land, using a mixture of asphalt and gravel roads. Drivers overnight in Cardiff on Friday and Saturday and the city’s castle hosts the finish ceremony on Sunday afternoon. Drivers tackle 23 speed tests covering 353.53km in a route of 1967.46km.

MINI WRC Team - Wales Rally GB - Preview.

Posted: November 7, 2011 11:46 AM

The MINI WRC Team is now heading home for Wales Rally GB and the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship. The UK’s forest stages are famous worldwide and an event including them has been part of the WRC since its inception in 1973. Not only is the team based in the UK, but this is also a home event for Kris Meeke (GB) and Paul Nagle (IR) in their MINI John Cooper Works WRC. Meanwhile for their team-mates, Dani Sordo (ES) and Carlos del Barrio (ES), Wales has proved a happy hunting ground in the past.

Meeke made his WRC debut in Wales back in 2005 and then his last visit to the event was in 2006. Sordo has considerably more experience here, as he has competed on the event every year since 2006 and in 2008 and 2009 was on the podium. Even though this is only the sixth WRC event for the team, the results have exceeded expectations with two podiums and several fastest stage times. This week both drivers have been testing at Walters Arena in South Wales in preparation for the event.

At Rally GB, Bosch is partnering the team as it celebrates its 125th anniversary. The MINI John Cooper Works WRC features several key Bosch components, including the engine’s high pressure direct injection fuelling system; the throttle body; and numerous pressure and temperature sensors around the car. Both the sophisticated high pressure fuel pump and throttle are standard road car parts.

David Richards, Team Principal:
“We have already enjoyed a far better year than anyone could ever have expected but as our focus over the last few months has been on tarmac development, another podium result would be a surprise finish to a year that has far exceeded everyone’s expectation. Yet, I’m certain that both drivers are looking forward to a strong performance on the MINI WRC Team’s British debut in front of our home fans.”

Dani Sordo (MINI John Cooper Works WRC No 37):
“I like the rally a lot even though it is really difficult. It is usually wet and so the roads are very muddy. Even though I do remember some good weather, there is still the mud. There are a lot of new stages for me so it will be difficult to get the pace notes right, but this is something I shall work on with Carlos. The car should be okay there. We have done some testing which has been good, so I am happy going into the event.”

Kris Meeke (MINI John Cooper Works WRC No 52):
"Without a rally in Ireland, this is as near to a home event as it gets for me. I did my first ever rally in Wales and grew up doing British championships, so feel very much at home there as it is terrain I felt quite comfortable on. We have to keep our expectations in check, even though I am sure we will have a lot of local support. The good thing is we have a level playing field in Wales, as there are lots of new stages this year and they are even new for the championship regulars. The conditions should be consistent for everyone and this will allow us to assess our car on the event. I would certainly like to finish the season on a high.”

Robert Bosch UK President Peter Fouquet:
“Bosch Original Equipment, Bosch Motorsport and Bosch Engineering are delighted to be celebrating the Bosch 125th anniversary with its BMW/MINI customer at Rally GB. The company has been a long time supplier of technology, components and systems to BMW at its Hamms Hall engine plant and the MINI production facility in Oxford. The rally will provide Bosch engineers with an opportunity to gain direct customer feedback on components driven under such testing conditions."

STOBART STRIVE FOR PODIUM ON WRC SEASON CLOSER

Posted: November 7, 2011 11:45 AM

The M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team will be looking to end the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season in style at the wheel of the Ford Fiesta RS WRC by finishing on the podium at next week’s Wales Rally GB.

The Cumbria-based squad have had a strong season in the WRC after finishing in the top five on eight occasions, marking the team’s best performance since they entered the championship in 2006. Norway’s Mads Østberg finished runner-up at the WRC curtain-raiser in Sweden and Britain’s Matthew Wilson matched his best ever result after scoring a career-best fourth place at Rally Australia.

Ahead of Wales Rally GB, Wilson is lending his support to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) which aims to prevent needless accidents amongst young drivers aged between 18 and 24. In support of the Englishman’s campaign to promote safer driving, the 24-year-old driver will feature an Action for Road Safety (AfRS) sticker on his car next week.

The livery on Wilson and co-driver Scott Martin’s Ford Fiesta RS WRC will also include a special design celebrating the life of Moto GP star Marco Simoncelli who visited M-Sport in Cumbria recently but was tragically killed competing in Malaysia last month.

Wilson tested his Fiesta RS WRC at Greystoke Forest earlier this week and hopes the extra seat time will help him to overhaul Dani Sordo who sits just four points ahead in the drivers’ standings.

With gravel being their favoured surface, recently-crowned Norwegian Rally Champions Mads Østberg and co-driver Jonas Andersson are aiming to end their debut season with the M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team on a high. Østberg, who sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, has reported he would like to push for a podium at the WRC season closer providing his test in the car goes well on Saturday.

Regular team-mates Henning Solberg and co-driver Ilka Minor will also be present under the M-Sport Stobart banner at the final round of the WRC. Solberg will be the only driver not to benefit from a pre-event test but will be looking to take advantage of his past experience in Wales. Next week will mark the 11th time that the Norwegian driver has contested the British edition of the WRC but will be the first time alongside current co-driver Minor.

Since Spain, Solberg has taken part in the Oslo Motorshow alongside younger brother Petter and fellow team-mate Mads Østberg where they entertained the crowds with various stunts and show driving.

Mads Østberg said:
“I’d say that Sweden, Finland and Wales are three of my favourite rallies in the WRC so I’m really looking forward to competing in the UK next week. I’m aiming for a top five finish this week but if our test on Saturday goes well then I may feel that we could push for a podium. Wales is a rally I expect to do well at because we know the stages and if we stay out of trouble then I think we could get a good result. I like the character of the roads and the people are nice – the rally feels a lot like home so I’m feeling very comfortable going there. There’s no doubt that it’s going to be a very difficult event to finish the year, the days are incredibly long but we are prepared for that. I may even get Jonas to drive some of the road sections so I can try to rest a little before and after the stages.”

Matthew Wilson said:
“Wales is my home event and it’s always a fantastic rally to mark the end of the season. The fans are incredibly supportive and it’s a rally where I want to finish with a good result more than ever. For sure, I was disappointed to move down to eighth in the standings after my final day retirement in Spain but we’ve been a lot closer to the drivers in the top five in terms of points this year. I’m pleased to support the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents this year in Wales. I strongly believe that to be safe on the road all drivers must understand their limitations and this also reflects the demands of being successful in motorsport. I have an inherent respect for my car and maintain focus at all times in order to keep myself and Scott safe.”

Henning Solberg said:
“Sweden and Wales are two of the WRC events that I know the best and even though we don’t have a test before I think I’m well prepared for the rally. The last couple of rounds have been good for us, it’s taken a while for me to get to grips with the Ford Fiesta RS WRC but I’m now feeling very confident in the car and think that if we have no problems then we will have a good finish. It’ll be nice also to return to some of the classic stages but for sure, the days will be long but it is the same for everyone. The weather is one of the biggest problems in Wales. Rain can make the stages treacherously slippery and with such long days, I’ll need to try to maintain a high level of concentration. It’d be good to end the season on a high for my sponsors and I’d be happy with a top five result next week.”

Citroën Racing Technologies - Finish the season on a high note!

Posted: November 7, 2011 11:41 AM

Three Citroën DS3 WRCs prepared by Citroën Racing Technologies will be entered for the last round of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship. Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson (Petter Solberg World Rally Team), Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström and Peter van Merksteijn Jr and Erwin Mombaerts (Van Merksteijn Motorsport) all have the same objective in Rally Great Britain – finish in the season on a high note.

Preparation for Rally Great Britain was in two phases for the Citroën DS3 WRC drivers. This week, Kimi Räikkönen and Peter van Merksteijn Junior have spent two days on a test track in the south of France.
“They each covered 150 kilometers,” says Benoît Nogier, the Citroën Racing Technologies director. “The stage chosen was pretty wet, ideal for an event as specific as the one awaiting us in Wales. Kimi and Peter found the DS3 WRC’s setup suited them down to the ground. They’re both full of confidence before tackling the final event of the season.”

Petter Solberg will get behind the wheel of his Citroën DS3 WRC on Sunday afternoon for a quick canter the day before reconnaissance starts.

Rally Great Britain is one of the classics on the world championship calendar, and it is also one of the most specific events with numerous grip changes and very often a lot of mud.
“We know it’s one of the most complicated rallies of the season. And for the 2011 event, the new route adds additional challenges,” underlines Nogier.

The event is spread over four days and the route will bring the crews from the north to the south of Wales. The start will be given on Thursday with a leg consisting of three stages. The following days the exit from the parc fermé are fixed at 5h40, 6h00 and 4h50 respectively.
“We’ll have to be in tip-top form so as not to make any mistakes. Recuperation will be of crucial importance for our crews. All the more so if the weather isn’t very good as the conditions promise to be absolutely hellish, especially at night!”

“Our aim is to finish the season on a high note,” he adds. “Petter Solberg has already achieved some mindboggling feats on this terrain. He’ll have the opportunity to end his collaboration with Citroën Racing in the best possible fashion. We all know he’s one of the great chargers. I’m sure he’ll try to be at the front; he doesn’t see things any other way.”

“Kimi Räikkönen is determined to end the season with a scintillating performance after finishing in the first six in his first six outings. He has what it takes to be in the top ten at the finish. Peter van Merskteijn Jr has made a lot of progress at the wheel of the Citroën DS3 WRC. He’s putting this experience to good use by being more and more consistent. If he manages to finish Rally Great Britain without making any mistakes, he’ll be well placed.”

Loeb and Elena in pursuit of their eighth title!

Posted: November 7, 2011 11:28 AM

Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, who hold all the records in the FIA World Rally Championship, find themselves up against a new challenge. The Citroën Total World Rally Team crew will start Rally Great Britain with the aim of winning their eighth title, a unique feat in the history of motor sport. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia in the second works DS3 WRC will be out to finish the season on a high note.

The FIA World Rally Championship, which began on the frozen roads in Sweden in February, will finish in the Welsh forests. Cold, rain and mud are on the Wales Rally GB menu and the event will be run on a route that has undergone major changes compared to the previous rallies. The start will be given on Thursday in Llandudno in the north of the country. The stages will be concentrated around the little town of Builth Wells. The cars will not return to Cardiff except for the parc fermé and the podium.

In Rally Spain, the Citroën Total World Rally Team won its seventh World Manufacturers’ title, and it is tackling the last round united behind Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena. The seven-time world champions have won five rallies this season (Mexico, Sardinia, Argentina, Finland and Spain) and they are aiming for their eighth title on the trot.

“The scenario’s like the one in 2009. We started Rally Great Britain neck and neck with Mikko Hirvonen and whoever finished in front of the other was world champion,” Sébastien Loeb remembers.
“Obviously, it’s less stressful trying to win the title when it’s not the last event. You can say to yourself that in case of problems there will be other match points! This time it’s now or never! We’ll just have to ignore the additional pressure caused by what’s at stake.”

Loeb has an eight-point lead over Hirvonen in the Drivers’ World Championship ratings. “With a seven-point gap between victory and second place and three points for the best time in the Power Stage, it’s not a very comfortable situation,” says the Frenchman. “My aim won’t be to win at any cost but to run my race depending on Mikko’s. It doesn’t matter to me if Ogier, Solberg or Latvala are in the lead provided I’m in front of my rival.”

Like Sébastien Loeb, Sébastien Ogier has been on the topmost step of the podium five times this season (Portugal, Jordan, Greece, Germany and France). The driver of the no. 2 DS3 WRC is no longer in the running for the world title after his retirement in Spain, but he is assured of a place in the top three in the 2011 World Rally Championship.
“I’m happy to be back racing in this event, even if it doesn’t have only good memories for me. As the manufacturers’ title is already in the bag, I can drive without any pressure where scoring points for the team is concerned. Finishing on the podium would be a good result for me. With regards to the Drivers’ World Championship, Seb is determined to be master of his own destiny by finishing in front of Mikko. But it’s obvious that if circumstances require it I’ll do everything I can to help him win the title.”

“In Rally Spain we achieved our first objective with Citroën’s seventh world title. The make is very proud of this,” declares Olivier Quesnel, the Citroën Racing Team Principal. “We’re up against a new challenge in Great Britain, and it won’t be easy as Mikko Hirvonen is especially quick on this type of surface. We’re tackling the event with calmness, determination, serenity and humility. Loeb and Elena are never as strong as when they’re faced with these extreme pressure situations.”

Three questions to Sébastien Loeb

Almost three months elapsed between your victories in Finland and Spain. Did your sixty-seventh win come as a relief?
“That’s one way of putting it! Winning Rally Spain wasn’t all that obvious and I really had to fight hard in the first two legs. The third day was particularly stressful as we had to make the right tyre choice in unstable weather conditions. I really needed that victory to tackle the last event of the season in the best conditions. But there’s no sense in getting carried away, I’ve still got a long way to go to win the world championship.”

You’re up against Mikko Hirvonen again. What do you fear about him?
« Mikko’s very strong mentally speaking in these kinds of situations. Above all, don’t underestimate him. He’s dominated some rallies head and shoulders. At the mid-season mark he said he didn’t believe in his chances of winning the title. But the way the recent rallies have panned out have put him back in the running. In some ways, he really hasn’t got anything to lose and he’s going to seize his chances. Being second holds no interest for him. He’s going to push right from the start to go for victory.
He’s certainly going to set the pace in the race.”

You’ve won the last three rallies in Great Britain. How are you going to tackle this event whose route has been considerably revised compared to the one you know?
“I don’t yet have a really clear idea of what awaits us, but it’ll obviously make things a bit more complicated. The new stages will require increased concentration during reconnaissance and more work on the on-board camera videos. We’re more at the mercy of a trap than in a stage we’ve known for ten years. That’s really the ever-present threat we have to cope with in this rally: I may have won it three times but it was always hanging by a thread at one moment or another. I’ll do two days’ practice in Wales the previous weekend to fine-tune my preparation for this event. This will help me to be in tip-top form.”

REVITALISED FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP REACHES ITS CLIMAX IN THE WELSH FORESTS

Posted: November 2, 2011 12:05 PM

The biggest prize in motor rallying will be won in the UK in less than two weeks time when France’s Sebastien Loeb and Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen go head-to-head for the FIA World Rally Championship crown in one of the most challenging events of the year – the season finale, Wales Rally GB, from 10-13 November.

Loeb, competing for Citroen Total World Rally Team, has emerged as the most successful rally driver in history with seven consecutive World crowns in the past decade. But Hirvonen, who drives for the UK-based factory Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, could be about to end the seemingly invincible Loeb’s reign at the top.

The Frenchman will arrive in Wales with a slender eight-point lead over the Finn – but with 25 available for a win the game is very much still on. Furthermore, an increasing number of rival crews – including those from iconic British manufacturer MINI – will be challenging for victory on some of the world’s most daunting forest stages. There is no doubt the WRC season is all set for a highly dramatic and unpredictable finish.

Sebastien Loeb is gunning for his 8th straight World Championship title

Meanwhile Loeb knows a second-place result in Wales will effectively secure him an eighth straight title but, with three bonus points on offer during the event’s concluding Power Stage on the final day of action (Sun 13 Nov), he won’t be relaxing behind the wheel of his Citroen DS3 WRC. The 37-year-old from Alsace, who has won the last three Wales Rally GBs, commented: “If Mikko is winning I have to be second with some good points from the Power Stage. For sure I will try to fight with him and not to be behind. It’s a very open situation and it’s not easy. We will have to fight hard in GB. We know it can be very difficult so we will see what happens. It will be interesting.”

Hirvonen (photo below) almost pipped Loeb to the WRC crown in Wales in 2009, only for his car’s bonnet to smash into its windscreen. Two years on Hirvonen can expect great support from his on-form team-mate Jari-Mari Latvala. The ‘flying Finn’ now has much more experience and, having pushed Loeb for the win in Spain two weekends ago before backing off and allowing Hirvonen to finish second, could play a crucial role in the title outcome.

Mikko Hirvonen will be gunning for the FIA World Rally Championship in Wales

“Of course Jari-Matti did me a big favour in Spain, which was really nice and gives me a chance to fight again in GB,” said 31-year-old Hirvonen, who achieved victory in Wales in 2007 with the same Cumbrian-based M-Sport operation which prepares his Fiesta RS WRC. He added: “It’s going to be a tough one. Everything needs to be perfect. The only thing I can do is win the rally and the Power Stage as well. In previous years I have always had really good pace there so I believe that will be the same this year. We will have a good fight. I just need to make sure the bonnet pins stay closed.”

Equally Loeb’s team-mate, fellow Frenchman Sebastien Ogier, is likely to play a similar tactical supporting role for Citroen. Although only in his second full WRC season Ogier is equal on five wins with Loeb so far in 2011. And maverick Norwegian Petter Solberg, one of only two drivers to have previously won the event four times (2002-03-04-05), is another they all need to watch in his Citroen DS3 WRC.

However many of the hugely enthusiastic spectators will surely be rooting for the MINI World Rally Team and its pair of Mini John Cooper Works WRCs, prepared by the Banbury-based Prodrive organisation that previously achieved WRC glory with the likes of Colin McRae and Richard Burns. The famed British marque has not been represented in top-level rallying since the Sixties but what an impact its 2011 cars, driven by Spaniard Dani Sordo and Northern Irishman Kris Meeke, have had already. In just five appearances Sordo has achieved four strong points results and almost won a month ago in France. Meeke, in his debut WRC season, was a fine fifth two weeks ago in Spain and, on terrain he knows well, could cause a real upset on his home event. Indeed a British driver has not won Rally GB since Burns’s triumph in 2000 and MINI’s only previous victory on the event was in 1965 (with Rauno Aaltonen in a Mini Cooper S)!

Other stars to look out for include former F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen and YouTube hero Ken Block – both are sure to be crowd favourites and in huge demand from autograph hunters.

It all adds to up to a fitting season finale for the reinvigorated WRC which, looking to the future, is entering its most exciting chapter for years with the re-installation of the classic Monte Carlo Rally on its 2012 calendar plus the arrival of MINI as well as German manufacturer VW in 2013 to add to the competition.

Simon Long, CEO of WRC promoter North One Sport enthused:
“It’s going to be a thrilling and nail-biting end to what’s been a very dramatic first season for the dynamic new-look WRC with the latest technical regulations and live TV ‘power stages’. Now we’re all set for a thrilling finale in the notoriously tricky and treacherous Welsh forests...

“As well as the duel for the world championship the return of MINI on home ground is certain to generate even more interest and intrigue – more so as the team has already underlined its intentions by scoring two podium results from its first six starts. Which ever way you look at it we’re in for a dramatic climax to 2011.”

Meanwhile this year’s Wales Rally GB includes a considerably revised route compared to previous years – following a Ceremonial Start on the Thursday (10 Nov) in Llandudno the opening action is on the spectacular winding cliff-face road around the Great Orme headland on the North Welsh coastline – a stage not used on the event for 30 years. Similarly, there is a return later that day to the Clocaenog forest stage, last part of the route in 1996. Over the next three days the 1150-mile event will venture southwards with the high speed action on many of Wales’ most renowned forest stages interspersed with a Central Service Park at Builth Wells. The event, and the 2011 World Rally Championship, will culminate with a Ceremonial Finish – and the crowning of this year’s WRC Champion – in Cardiff on the Sunday (13 Nov).

North Wales embraces Wales Rally GB

Posted: November 2, 2011 12:03 PM

The north Welsh coastline will soon play host to Wales Rally GB.

Almost 80 cars – representing 32 countries – will compete in the World Rally Championship finale in North Wales; and, with 11 British drivers in the line-up, including two from Wales, there will be plenty of opportunities for spectators to cheer on the home talent.

The Start of the event will take place at 2.30pm, Thursday 10th November, on Mostyn Street, Llandudno where access will be free, with additional activities including Victorian-themed traders and entertainers, an old time music hall show, juggling unicyclist, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay tram car and vintage lorry display and steam traction engine with living trailer display.

Spectators on the Great Orme will be treated to tricks from the world-renowned 3SIXTY Bicycle Stunt Team and a thrilling display of driving skill from historic rally group Slowly Sideways, before the first WRC cars begin to arrive on the stage from 2.38pm. Catering, commentary, merchandise and a big screen will all be available on site.

The first day of Wales Rally GB will draw to a close with the official Opening Ceremony and free, family-friendly, medieval-themed entertainments at Conwy Quay and in Conwy town centre. Shops will remain open until 8pm, with the town centre playing host to traditional fairground rides, street entertainers, hot chestnut stands, a coconut shy, minstrels, knights and maidens.

Entertainments on the Quay, which will start from 4pm, will include jesters, balloon modellers, stilt-walkers, circus workshops, magicians, birds of prey and an authentic hog roast. Fireworks over Conwy Castle will herald the arrival of the first cars shortly before 6pm.

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Cardiff Rallyfest

Posted: October 26, 2011 4:36 PM

Rallyfest will take place in and around the iconic Cardiff Castle from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 November.

There will be displays in the Castle moat from Thursday 10 November prior to the main action on High Street and St Mary Street from approximately midday on Saturday 12 November. Here, a variety of motorsport-related entertainment for younger visitors will feature, amongst other attractions, a giant Scalextric, simulators and go karts.

From approximately 18:30 on Saturday evening, following grueling action in the forests of north and mid Wales, the battle-weary crews and cars will arrive on St Mary Street, before entering High Street. Cars will head up High Street, where they will pause for interviews, before turning in front of the castle for some great photo opportunities. They will then make their way to Parc Fermé – the technical area (where no work on the cars is allowed) for the cars to be left overnight – in the castle grounds. Cardiff Castle is also the location for Parc Ferme on Friday night.

Cardiff Castle will host a series of attractions on Saturday evening from 18:45, including an autograph session with leading drivers from 19:00-20:00 in the castle’s Interpretation Centre. There will also be a big screen and stage featuring interviews, a DJ spinning some tunes and an auction of motorsport memorabilia by the Richard Burns Foundation.

Spectator entry to Cardiff Rallyfest and Cardiff Castle will be free.

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• Rally GB

Paint Wales Rally GB Orange

Posted: October 25, 2011 12:12 PM

Commemorative charity t-shirt to mark the 10th anniversary of Richard’s 2001 World Title launched by WRC drivers

Reigning World Rally Champion, Sebastian Loeb and his cohort of competitor WRC drivers, including Mikko Hirvonen, Dani Sordo, Sebastian Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala, Kris Meeke, Ken Block, Matthew Wilson, Mads Østberg, Henning Solberg and Hayden Paddon helped launch the “Paint It Orange” campaign to commemorate the forthcoming tenth anniversary of Richard Burns’ 2001 World Rally Championship title, which will be celebrated on Sunday November 13, on the final round of this year’s WRC at Wales Rally GB.

Four short years after reaching one of the pinnacles of international motor racing, Richard lost his life to an aggressive form of brain cancer. The “Paint It Orange” campaign is a concerted endeavour to encourage the legions of fans that support rallying to buy a charitable t-shirt to make a valuable contribution to the charitable work done in Richard’s name – and to create a sea of orange across Wales as spectators gather for the last round of the WRC.


The WRC drivers are the fitting first in a pantheon of drivers, stars and celebrities who have promised to be photographed in the commemorative t-shirt, with the next step of the campaign scheduled for the Indian GP on the 30th October, with many Formula One drivers pledging to add their support to the campaign.

The assembled mass of stars proudly wearing their commemorative Richard Burns shirts can be seen on the Richard Burns Foundation website and its Facebook pages. The charity is promoting the sale of the commemorative t-shirts at Grandstand Merchandise and you too can rub shoulders with the stars by buying a shirt and posting your photo alongside the charity’s growing number of celebrity supporters.

Outgoing British Touring Car Champion and Patron of the Richard Burns Foundation, Jason Plato said,
“It’s staggering how many famous people are pulling these great orange t-shirts over their heads and inspiring the public to buy one too, especially if they are heading to Wales in a few weeks time. I confidently predict the valleys will be painted orange – it’s a great way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Richard’s greatest achievement.”

As the official charity of the Wales Rally GB, a select number of t-shirts signed and endorsed by WRC and Formula One drivers - along with other money can’t buy auction lots - will be released for auction on Saturday night of Wales Rally GB at a specially convened auction in Cardiff.

All funds raised from the “Paint It Orange” campaign will help to address the startling lack of neurological provision in the UK. Neurological injury and illness is a bigger cause of serious disability in the UK than cancer, heart disease and diabetes put together. Over a million people – half of these children and young adults – suffer a head injury every year. Alongside neuro injury, neurological illness has an incredible diversity of manifestations, from foetal diseases such as Spina Bifida, through to conditions that afflict the young, such as Cerebral Palsy & Meningitis; the unrelenting assault from neuro conditions continues through adult life, with brain tumours about 30% as common as breast cancer. And neuro illness follows us into old age, with the widespread incidence of conditions ranging from Parkinson’s to Dementia & Alzheimer’s.

The ambition of the Richard Burns Foundation is to fund the first hospital-based Brain Centre, where members of public can access walk-in support and advice to provide guidance for the array of neurological conditions from MS, Motor Neurone Disease & Schizophrenia to Autism and stroke, to name but a few. The Richard Burns Foundation is committed to supporting the Brain & Spine Foundation to spread the Brain Centre project nationally.

The Richard Burns Foundation is indebted to the following teams and organisations for their kind and generous support and without whom the “Paint It Orange” campaign would not be possible:-

Prodrive & Brand&, LAT Photographic, Team Lotus, Pirelli, Red Bull Racing, Haymarket Publishing, Scuderia Ferrari, AT&T Williams, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS, Sahara Force India, Scuderia Toro Rosso, MINI World Rally Team, Hispania Racing F1 Team, Citroen Total World Rally Team, Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, Monster World Rally Team, Petter Solberg World Rally Team, M-Sport Stobart Ford Rally Team, Lotus Renault GP, Sauber F1 Team, Marussia Virgin Racing, McKlein, Performance Clothing, Vivacious World Motorsport.

Draft Entry List

Posted: October 24, 2011 2:22 PM

Rally GB (P,A) - 10-13 Nov 11 - DRAFT ENTRY LIST

WALES RALLY FM (87.7FM) EXPANDS REACH ACROSS THE SMARTPHONE UNIVERSE

Posted: October 12, 2011 2:09 PM

The Wales Rally FM (87.7FM) app is now available in both the Apple App Store and Android Market and will give listeners access to the expert commentary of leading motorsport pundit Mike Broad and a studio of experts, as well as reporters live on the stages.

Wales Rally FM is a dedicated radio station for Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship. When the cars are on-stage, the station broadcasts live with times, splits, results and interviews with drivers from the end of stage, as well as comments from the team managers and engineers in service. The introduction of the app, new for 2011, complements the existing broadcast through the www.walesrallygb.com website and on 87.7FM.

The presenters of Rally FM – including Sky News and ESPN presenter Jon Desborough – will also be touring Wales in the run-up to the event, running Rally competitions and handing out leaflets. The Rally FM tour bus will be arriving in Cardiff at 10am on Tuesday 8th November, visiting FordThorne and Whitchurch High School, before spending the night at the Royal Welsh Showground, near Builth Wells.

On Wednesday 9th November, the Rally FM tour bus will spend the morning at Shakedown – where the competing drivers will be putting their cars through final preparations – and the afternoon around Builth Wells, visiting Llanelwedd Primary school, before heading to Llandudno in the evening. The bus will spend all day Thursday 10th November on the seafront in Llandudno, supporting the flagging off and official opening ceremony for the event.

The Rally FM tour bus will then move to the Service Park at the Royal Welsh Showground near Builth Wells throughout Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November, before heading to Cardiff on Saturday night ready to spend all day in the city for the official close to Wales Rally GB on Sunday 13th November.

• Rally GB

A "RALLY" DAY CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

Posted: September 12, 2011 6:59 PM

One of the UK’s largest and most iconic motorsport events is on a recruitment drive for volunteer marshals next week at the Rallyday event at Castle Combe (Saturday 17th Sept). The Wales Rally GB team will attend the rally car show with information about volunteering at the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship, an event which attracts the world’s best rally drivers, cars and fans from across the globe.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Wales Rally GB and an integral part in the success of this international event. Everyone takes the greatest pride in their roles, from the marshals responsible for the smooth and safe running of each stage to the volunteers running stage car parks in return for charitable donations.

This year, the event is taking place across Wales (from Conwy to Cardiff) from November 10th-13th with an all-new, four-day route. It is an accessible, fun, family day out with day passes for a family of four from just £62.* Plus, for the fourth year running, the ever popular ‘Kids for a quid’ offer will apply.

Rally fans attending Rallyday at Castle Combe, can visit the Wales Rally GB stand to find more information about how to volunteer and this year’s exciting new extended route. Visitors to the stand will also be able to claim a discount code offering the recipient money off when purchasing tickets for the iconic Great Orme Stage.

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• Rally GB

Monument Stage opens to WRGB Spectators

Posted: August 17, 2011 7:09 PM

The concluding stage of this year's Wales Rally GB – the Monument Power Stage – will be open to spectators for the first time this year.

The Monument stage will be used twice on Sunday 13th November 2011, and it is possible the second running of the stage will play host to the deciding thriller of the whole rally and possibly the entire Championship.

The Power Stage is a new concept in the WRC this season and awards bonus points to the fastest three drivers. To mark this landmark occasion – and after listening to fans’ requests following last year’s successful launch of Monument’s mixed-surface course – organisers have opened up this year’s 4.36km stage exclusively to World Rally Pass (WRP) holders to witness the action up close.

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• Rally GB

2011 Wales Rally GB Launched

Posted: June 8, 2011 4:27 PM

The official launch of Wales Rally GB 2011, which will run from 10th to 13th November 2011, took place at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, Powys, on Saturday 4th June. International Motor Sports Limited, which organises Wales Rally GB, officially unveiled the event’s all-new, four-day route and outlined the ticketing strategy.

TICKETING NEWS

Announcements included confirmation that tickets for the 13th and final round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) will go on sale from 10th June 2011, with prices held at 2010 values.

A World Rally Pass (WRP), priced at £99, still represents the best value for money for adults wanting to take in all four days of action. Friday, Saturday and Sunday adult day passes are priced individually at £30 while children can get a day pass for just £1. Access to the Service Park is included in both the WRP and day passes, or priced separately on the day at £10 (children go free), while adult tickets to the Great Orme stage will cost just £20. As in 2010, most adult tickets will include a copy of the official Wales Rally GB programme (valued at £9), which can be collected throughout the event. *
* Terms and conditions apply to all ticket prices

ROUTE CONFIRMATION

Stages for the event will include the legendary Great Orme Toll Road – last used on the Lombard RAC Rally in 1981; Clocaenog – last used on the Network Q RAC Rally in 1996; the classic forest stages of North and Mid Wales and the spectacular Epynt military ranges near Brecon.

The opening ceremony for Wales Rally GB will take place outside Conwy Castle on the evening of Thursday 10th November, after the first three stages have been run on Thursday afternoon.

Parc Ferme on Thursday will be in Llandudno, moving to Cardiff later in the event.

The Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells is the venue for Shakedown on Wednesday 9th November, and also houses the main Service Area on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November.

Cardiff will host the ceremonial finish on Sunday 13th November.

WALES RALLY GB NATIONAL

The inaugural Wales Rally GB National of 2010, which proved to be a resounding success and attracted 90 entries for the initial 45 places, will run again this year.

It will start and finish at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells and run once over each of the special stages on Friday and Saturday. There will be categories for both modern and Historic rally cars.

• Rally GB

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 2, 1990 3:05 PM

• Rally GB