2014 British Rally Championship

Video: Daniel McKenna / Arthur Kierans Homecoming

Posted: October 20, 2016 9:32 AM

Daniel McKenna / Arthur Kierans Homecoming Celebrations - (Sat) 27 Sep 14

BRC’s Pirelli Star Drivers race & learn

Posted: March 28, 2014 8:57 AM

Six of the 2013 MSA British Rally Championship’s Pirelli Star Driver finalists, including winner Daniel McKenna, will grab a chance to improve their media skills this weekend. But the session isn’t all whiteboards and spin, as they also get a chance to let their hair down in an endurance kart race the following day.

Friday’s media training will take place at Pirelli UK’s Didcot headquarters and will be hosted by respected journalist and former WRC commentator Mark James. With heads full of best practice in front of the camera, the drivers will hope that’s all the spin they experience, as the two hour race gets underway the following afternoon.

Up to 20 teams will take part in the Ferrari Owners’ Club circuit racers’ pre-season friendly. And as sponsors of the event, Pirelli will field two of the teams, one comprising exclusively British Rally Championship drivers.

Thankfully it is all a bit of fun for the teams, particularly as they will drive Thruxton Race Circuit’s 1.1 kilometre track in 60 mph Biz Thunderkarts – careful lads, you might not be used to the power!

Taking part alongside Pirelli’s own crack team will be Daniel McKenna, Osian Pryce, Ben McKay, Jon Armstrong, Alex Parpottas and Ruary MacLeod.

BRC on Motors TV

Posted: March 5, 2014 11:18 AM

The MSA British Rally Championship will make its new home on Motors TV in 2014, sitting alongside the World Rally Championship.

The move increases the BRC’s reach to over 15.6 million homes in the UK and comes with the promise that Motors TV will promote the series as one of its premier properties. The championship isn’t new to the dedicated motoring channel though, being available in Europe since 2006.

The channel is keen to showcase rising UK talent in full high definition and with the BRC now available on Motors TV via the Freeview platform channel 240, Virgin Media channel 545 and Sky channel 447, even more people have access to follow each exciting round of Britain's premier rally series.

Championship Manager Mark Taylor:
“We are delighted to have Motors TV on board; their prime focus on motorsport and recently enabled Freeview HD platform provides an increase in availability for fans. The success of the talent currently being developed in the championship can now be linked with the best in the world, providing Motors with the opportunity to feature fascinating stories of young drivers with ambitions of competing at the very top of the sport.”

Motors TV Head of Programming and Acquisitions, Frederic Viger said:

"It's brilliant that just days after announcing the launch of our Freeview service, we signed up one of Britain's premier motorsport series. The British Rally Championship's 56 year heritage is strong and it has many associations with success at world level, therefore alongside our coverage of the WRC this season, it is a perfect fit for Motors TV."

BRC’s Pirelli Star Driver scheme to boost more talent

Posted: February 28, 2014 3:45 PM

The MSA British Rally Championship’s Pirelli Star Driver scheme, which has previously helped up-and-coming talent such as Elfyn Evans reach the top of world rallying, is set to boost the careers of even more young drivers from next year onwards.

In a change to the previous on-event selection process, the 2014 Pirelli Star Driver nominations will be awarded to each of the BRC’s five category champions at the end of the season.

The five winners will then present their future competition programmes, plans and ambitions at an assessment day, vying for a share of the Pirelli Star Driver support fund. The prizes will take the form of funding assistance as well as product support and other career opportunities, tailored to each individual winner.

The change in format gives opportunity to more than just one individual and does not limit the winners’ prizes to just the British Rally Championship. In addition, training and development events are planned for those of last year’s finalists still contesting the BRC in 2014.

Matthew Corby, Pirelli's motorsport manager:
“We’re delighted to be able to extend the Pirelli Star Driver prize to more young drivers from 2015. We felt that the current prize, instrumental in providing Elfyn Evans with a lift up the ladder to the WRC, needed to evolve with the needs of the sport, and we wanted to provide yet more opportunities.

“We will continue to work closely with the current championship promoter, providing support and reward to talented drivers at every level of the series. With five young drivers benefitting from Pirelli backing next year, British rallying receives a further boost.”

The reigning British Rally Champion, Jukka Korhonen, is another former Pirelli Star Driver to have shown his international prowess, winning the hotly-contested WRC3 section on the Wales Rally GB last year to underline Pirelli’s emphasis on the future of the sport.

British Rally Championship manager, Mark Taylor:
“Pirelli is a significant championship partner, with substantial investment in the Star Driver programme helping us to realise our aims for the BRC in creating new talent and potential champions. We will continue to work closely with Pirelli, and we look forward to writing the next exciting chapter together.”

M-Sport R5 Ford Fiesta prize for BRC and Road to Wales

Posted: February 27, 2014 11:27 AM

M-Sport has announced continued support of the BRC's driver talent development ethos by offering the 2014 British Rally Champion a prize drive on Wales Rally GB in one of its factory run R5 Fiestas.

The FordFiesta SportTrophy will provide winners using Fiesta rally cars with on event parts vouchers and end of season prize drives. If the winner of the MSA British Rally Championship has driven a Fiesta all season, then they will be entered into the final round of the World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB in an M Sport run R5.

Championship Manager Mark Taylor:
"This is fantastic news, an example of our recently formed Constructors Commission and the sport working in harmony! Thank you M Sport, Pirelli and Wales Rally GB for providing another great opportunity to showcase our aspiring talent.

"The Commission has approved the upgrading of the R2 Fiesta to R200 specification, meaning Fiesta competitors could vie for BRC1 and overall honours. Plus, the FordFiesta SportTrophy provides prizes throughout all of the BRC categories."

In addition to the R5 Wales Rally GB opportunity, the highest placed Fiesta driver in the BRC will be rewarded with a test drive in M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta R5, the NGK BRC Challenge winner will get their hands on an R2, plus parts vouchers to the total value of £700 are up for grabs on each event.

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE:
“We have always been keen to support talent at home so I am happy to announce that the FordFiesta SportTrophy scheme will continue for its ninth season in the British Rally Championship. It is a proven route to the sport’s highest level, Elfyn Evans having started his career within the championship in 2007.

"We are also eager to improve the performance of the Fiesta and the new Ford Fiesta R200 will see our cars in much closer competition with R3 cars. We don’t want to see a single manufacturer dominate as it did in 2013, and so we are encouraging our Fiesta drivers to push the limits with a great opportunity to shine on home soil at the end of the season.”

All those wishing to be eligible for the scheme must use a Ford Fiesta, register for the British Rally Championship, use Pirelli tyres and in addition to complying with the BRC rules, display the appropriate Competition Car Insurance and Pirelli decals. For more information on the initiative, competitors should contact awheatley@m-sport.co.uk

Stena Line continues to partner the BRC

Posted: February 25, 2014 4:50 PM

Stena Line will continue as an official partner to the MSA British Rally Championship, providing savings on their Irish Sea ferry crossings for all participants wishing to travel to rounds of the 2014 series. The partnership with Stena does not just benefit BRC crews, but any team and competitor travelling to participate in the other categories of the host rallies, as well as safety rescue crews and marshals.

BRC Manager Mark Taylor:

“We are delighted that Stena Line has agreed to continue and provide a significant support for all participants. In a period where it is still difficult to find budgets to compete and marshal, it is a great boost for the sport as a whole; as the deal is open to anyone involved in any way travelling to and from any of the BRC events.”

This excellent offer is valid for any of the five Stena Line Irish Sea routes in both directions. There is then the option of booking Stena Line’s Economy, Flexi or Premium motorist fares (terms and conditions vary for each).

More Details

British Rally Championship

M-SPORT SUPPORT THE BRC ROAD TO WALES

Posted: February 25, 2014 9:20 AM

M-Sport will continue to support talent on home soil this year as the FordFiesta SportTrophy enters its ninth season in the British Rally Championship (BRC).

Staying true to 2013’s proven format, M-Sport – in association with Competition Car Insurance – will provide a bonus scheme for all those competing behind the wheel of the firm’s Ford Fiesta rally cars.

A parts voucher to the value of £300 will be awarded to the highest placed Fiesta on each of the eight events. A voucher of £200 and £100 respectively will also be awarded to the second and third highest placed Fiestas from each round.

Come the season end, the Fiesta driver with the highest BRC points haul will be rewarded with a test drive in M-Sport’s latest success story – the Ford Fiesta R5. Not forgetting those competing in the BRC Challenge, the support series’ highest placed Fiesta driver will win a test drive in a Ford Fiesta R2 at the end of the year at a local airfield in Cumbria.

Most impressively however, the launch of the Ford Fiesta R200 means that M-Sport is in a position to grant a once-in-a-lifetime prize for any Fiesta driver to truly surpass all expectations. Giving weight to the MSA’s ‘Road to Wales’ initiative – in which this year’s BRC champion will be granted free entry to the FIA World Rally Championship’s season-closing Wales Rally GB – M-Sport are providing an exciting incentive for its drivers to shine on home soil.

Should a Fiesta driver be crowned 2014 BRC champion, the Cumbrian firm will support their WRC entry with a fully-prepared Fiesta R5.

In 2012, Elfyn Evans proved that the Fiesta R2 had the potential to challenge the higher specification R3 cars – securing a top-five result on all of the five rounds he contested as well as an impressive two podium finishes to lead the championship going into the final round in which he did not compete.

With the arrival of the upgraded Fiesta R200 which comes complete with a modified induction system allowing the engine an added 30hp, a talented driver could well emulate Evans’ success and challenge for the title.

All those wishing to be eligible for the scheme must use a Ford Fiesta and display the appropriate Competition Car Insurance decals. For more information on the initiative, competitors should contact M-Sport’s Andrew Wheatley (awheatley@m-sport.co.uk).

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“We have always been keen to support talent at home so I am happy to announce that the FordFiesta SportTrophy scheme will continue for its ninth season in the British Rally Championship. It is a proven route to the sport’s highest level, Elfyn Evans having started his career within the championship in 2007.

“We are also eager to improve the performance of the Fiesta and the new Ford Fiesta R200 will see our cars in much closer competition with the R3 models. We don’t want to see a single manufacturer dominate as it did in 2013, and so we are encouraging our Fiesta drivers to push the limits with a great opportunity to shine on home soil at the end of the season.”

BRC announces continuation of Wales Rally GB prizes

Posted: February 21, 2014 6:52 PM

Seven of the MSA British Rally Championship’s 2014 winners will receive free entries on the UK’s round of the World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB, the event continuing its successful Road to Wales campaign.

Introduced 12 months ago, the innovative and far-reaching Road to Wales scheme included a number of different programmes all of which combined to revitalise Britain’s concluding round of the FIA World Rally Championship in 2013.
Building on that success, which resulted in crowds returning to the legendary Welsh forest stages in record numbers, the top three finishers in the country’s premier rally championship will be rewarded again with invitation entries on Wales Rally GB, alongside the British Junior and BRC RallyTwo champions.

Adding to the incentive, both the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy champion and winner of the BRC ‘Stars of the Future’ will also be offered free entries in the three-day National Rally that runs alongside the international event.

Free entries into the National event will also be provided to the winner of each of the MSA English Rally Championship, the MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship and MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship. This swells the number of prize entries to an impressive ten.

Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of WRGB organiser International Motor Sports:
“Wales Rally GB is the pinnacle of rallying in the UK and we are determined to maximise its pre-eminence to the full benefit of all those involved in the sport. Whether it’s encouraging and rewarding those competing in our top national championships or providing those aspiring to be future world champions with vital WRC experience, the provision of these prize entries was extremely well received last year. That’s why we are delighted to be expanding the scheme to ten and including Northern Ireland for the first time in 2014.”

BRC announces four Constructors' Commission members

Posted: February 21, 2014 6:11 PM

In a move to further increase participation in the MSA British Rally Championship for 2014 and beyond, the BRC promoters established a Constructors’ Commission towards the end of 2013 and is now pleased to announce the involvement of four key members for the 2014 season

Abarth UK, Citroën UK, M-Sport and Renault Sport Technologies have all signed up to join the commission, agreeing to help broaden the appeal of the BRC, increase multi-manufacturer participation and provide performance parity to allow technically disadvantaged manufacturers the opportunity to compete to win.

Amongst the accords reached in the first meeting was the restriction of the Citroën DS3 R3T to “non-Max” specification, helping keep costs down for the 2014 season. M-Sport’s Fiesta R200 was also permitted to participate in the 2014 championship in the top BRC1 category, allowing crews with existing R2 cars a cost-effective upgrade. The Constructors’ Commission also agreed to accept Abarth UK’s 500 R3T in BRC1, using the existing BRC vehicle Passport Scheme with additional modifications and upgrades to help achieve parity with other cars in the category.

Commission Chairman, Mark Deans said:
“The role of the Constructors’ Commission to help deliver technical parity and cost effectiveness for all involved which will always be underpinned with the good of the sport in mind. The manufacturer partners have been fully supportive of initiatives to help limit costs and they have made constructive proposals for improving both the social and engagement aspects of the Championship.

"Our first priority however is to evaluate the proposed modifications to vehicles ahead of this season and ensure that all parties are happy and we are jointly able to deliver another exiting season’s rallying.”

Citroën continues to support BRC

Posted: January 30, 2014 8:49 PM

The Citroën Racing Trophy will once again feature in the MSA British Rally Championship in 2014, helping the front runners to keep their DS3s at maximum attack with a substantial prize fund.

€10,000 in prize vouchers will be available on each of the seven rallies (the Rally Isle of Man double header prize split between the two legs) and this year Citroën Racing has elected to incentivise the top five finishers using the state-of-the-art rally-winning machines.

The winner will still take a parts voucher worth €4000, with second taking €2250, third €1500, fourth €1250 and fifth place benefitting from €1000 in parts support – definitely not to be sniffed at.

And despite being busy orchestrating former BRC driver Kris Meeke’s success in the WRC, the Citroën World Rally Team will be keeping an eye on proceedings in Britain, an engineer and parts support on hand to help the BRC crews go flat out.

BRC Manager Mark Taylor said:
“Support like this from Citroën has meant we have had some brilliant battles at the front in the last couple of years. Identical cars at maximum attack is a joy to watch and a prize fund like this is even more incentive to push hard.”

BRC and events support new classes

Posted: January 29, 2014 11:26 AM

The MSA British Rally Championship has some great news this season for competitors entering the cost-effective BRC3 category, competing alongside BRC1 and BRC2 on the full event and including reconnaissance of the stages.

The initiative follows on from previous years when the R1 class received a cheaper entry fee. Supported by the BRC, qualifying rallies have agreed to provide a financial incentive to those crews entering in BRC3 category cars. The incentives will depend on the event, but will either be via a discount on the normal entry fee or the provision of start money.

Via the Championship, Rally North Wales, the first round of the Championship which offers 80 stage miles on Saturday 5th April, will provide significant start money for those entering the rally in the BRC3 category, the final details of which will be confirmed to registered competitors directly.

"The nature of BRC events mean that the entry fees can be some of the highest. The rallies are behind our push to encourage competitors into the new lower cost BRC3 formula and gain experience of these longer classic events, providing support to this entry level category is very much appreciated." said Championship Manager Mark Taylor.

For more information on the MSA British Rally Championship visit

British Rally Championship

NGK Spark Plugs supports BRC Challenge Trophy for third year

Posted: January 23, 2014 1:57 PM

Now in its tenth year and forming part of the MSA British Rally Championship in 2014, the BRC Challenge Trophy is delighted to announce NGK Spark Plugs as its title sponsor for the third consecutive year.

NGK Spark Plugs has been partner to the British Rally Championship for many years and this commitment continues a successful relationship between the two parties.

Tim Howes, Deputy General Manager - Supply Chain & Technical Service for NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd: "NGK continues to be heavily involved in motorsport at all levels, supporting new and established competitors alike.

"Being involved with the BRC is fantastic for us, it is vibrant, competitive and testament to the fact that, it has delivered new British talents Elfyn Evans and Kris Meeke to sharp end of the World Rally Championship."

The NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy is the leading championship for young up and coming drivers and the more experienced who want some fun and a competitive arena. Following seven qualifying MSA British Rally Championship rallies, a mix of gravel and asphalt surfaces make up eight scoring opportunities in the NGK-supported series, providing ample opportunity to catch the action in each country of the British Isles.

For more information on the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy visit

British Rally Championship

BRC unveils 2014 plans at annual Open Day

Posted: December 4, 2013 12:28 PM

The MSA British Rally Championship formally unveiled its plans for 2014 at the Competitors Open Day at Curborough Sprint Circuit last Friday, attending teams’ drivers including Mark Higgins, Jonny Milner and Elfyn Evans demonstrating cars on the short asphalt track.

Championship Manager Mark Taylor briefed those attending on the 2014 structure supporting new and junior competitors entering the series for the first time, highlighting a joint prize pot of over £10,000. He also announced the creation of the Constructors' Commission, which amongst other objectives, has been set-up to broaden the appeal of the sport. The result of recent meetings of the Commission has created the opportunity for some new and exciting cars to run at the head of the rallies in 2014.

The Pirelli Star Driver is to change in 2014, with nominees coming from Championship category winners rather than the traditional on-event selection and the successful Road to Wales initiative was also confirmed to continue. Final details of both initiatives are due to be unveiled at the Autosport Show in January.

Manufacturers continue to support the BRC; Renault confirmed that the Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy UK prize in BRC3 will provide the winner with a fully funded drive in an R2 car on Rallye Du Var in November 2014. Abarth UK were in attendance promoting their intention to enter the BRC5 category with a one make series and BRC1 with their R3T 500. M-Sport demonstrated the high revving R200 and their BRC3 spec Fiestas.

Championship Manager Mark Taylor said,
“Recent performances by our competitors on Wales Rally GB reinforces the BRC’s pre-eminent position as a Championship that is developing real talent, and as a result, the BRC is running at the head of the events in 2014.

"Amalgamating the Challenge and allowing non homologated cars in the Championship provides competitor choice, opportunity and progression for those with either ambition or some who just want to enter classic rallies, have fun and take part alongside some of the fastest drivers of their generation.”

BRC's 2014 events calendar and the Rally Isle of Man is back!

Posted: September 25, 2013 1:50 PM

The 55th running of the MSA British Rally Championship will see seven events in its 2014 calendar, with just one significant change, following a two year break, Rally Isle of Man returns to Britain’s premier rally series.

Providing a balanced split between gravel and asphalt, the 2014 series will now field three closed road and four classic forest events in its calendar, with the best five results deciding the overall champions.

Also a new joint initiative with the MSA and BHRC will see the events run a National A Rally for both modern and historic two wheel drive cars. BRC crews will benefit from this National A rally’s full mileage and will be seeded at the front, continuing to enjoy gravel reconnaissance.

This group will be followed closely by two further BRC categories and the field of thoroughbred Historic cars which will complete around 75% of the full route. Of significance, entries will be open to both none championship registered competitors and non-homologated two wheel drive cars.

Mark Taylor, Managing Director of UK Rally Ltd:
"I must thank the organising committee of the MSA British Historic Rally Championship who have been supportive in returning the BRC to the front of the field, in recognition that the Championship is the pinnacle of the sport in the UK and that our medium powered two wheel drive cars on uncut gravel control tyres, create very little damage to the road surface.

“This initiative will provide a National A rally that is traditionally seeded, with the head of the snake doing the full route, allowing the tail to break away for their relevant podiums and finish ceremonies, rather than the other way around, which has been heavily criticised over the years. What is also important to note, that this move will provide non homologated cars and none registered competitors to take part in these longer classic and iconic events."

The return of the Microgaming Rally Isle of Man brings with it the ultra-challenging closed-roads stages made famous down the event’s 50 year history, bringing the cream of Britain’s rally crews as well as those from further afield to the island next September.

Speaking about the return of Rally Isle of Man, Taylor said:
"Rally Isle of Man has never really fallen off our radar and now with a rejuvenated team at the helm, it has all the ingredients to become an epic event again. New initiatives have reduced the costs, provided direct sailings from Belfast, a Douglas promenade ceremonial start and spectator stage have created something new, enhancing the classic Manx stages that competitor's love so much. I am looking forward to working with the new organising team, its partners and the Isle of Man Government in creating a festival of four wheeled motorsport."

John Gill, Chairman of Rally Isle of Man:
“When Mark approached us, the opportunity to bring the highly impressive BRC teams back to our event was just too good to miss. We’ve obviously made quite a lot of changes since they last appeared here, and combining the committed driving and close competition of the BRC and Challenge with the Rallee Classicagh and Manx International rallies should ensure that we have something for every rally fan in 2014!”

Championship Calendar (Provisional)

Posted: September 25, 2013 1:47 PM

1. Rally North Wales - 5-6 Apr 14
2. Pirelli Rally - 3-4 May 14
3. Jim Clark Rally - 30-31 May 14
4. Scottish Rally - 27-28 Jun 14
5. Ulster Rally - 15-16 Aug 14
6. Rally Isle of Man - 11-13 Sep 14
7. Rallye Sunseeker - 17-18 Oct 14

British Rally Championship

Rally Yorkshire steps down from BRC in 2014

Posted: September 4, 2013 12:03 PM

By mutual agreement Rally Yorkshire will step down as a qualifying round of the MSA British Rally Championship for 2014.

Following meetings between BRC Manager Mark Taylor and Trackrod Clerk of the Course Rod Parkin, it has been agreed that after many years of being a qualifying round of the MSA British Rally Championship at International level, the event will consolidate its immediate future providing a top quality Historic rally for the RAC Championship and regional qualifying rounds for the BTRDA and English Championships.

Both BRC and Rally Yorkshire event organisers will continue to keep in close contact and when conditions allow, have not ruled out a return. Plans are well underway for this year's event, the penultimate round of the British Championship.

Final details of the 2014 BRC calendar will be announced once ratified by the MSA in September.