Rally Isle of Man - 11-13 Sep 14

Newby makes it two in a row as McKenna lands British title

Posted: October 20, 2016 9:14 AM

On a glorious final day Arron Newby and Rob Fagg (Subaru Impreza) made it back to back successes on Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming, as Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans (Citroen DS3) lifted the MSA British Rally Championship title.

19 year-old Newby, who retained his Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship crown yesterday, took a two minute lead into the final days seven closed roads stages and swept to fastest stage time on each of them. It extended the VP Fuels/Pirelli/Beatsons Building Supplies TEG Sport driver’s winning margin to 3m27.4s.

Second placed Steve Colley/Andrew Cowley felt more in the groove today despite a major moment on one stage, Steve finally feeling at home with the Specialised Glazing Solutions Mitubishi Evo IX.

Nigel and Michaela Cannell (Star Services Evo IX) were third on the combined event standings and the winners of the main Rally Isle of Man category, both Newby and Colley contesting the National element.

Rob Smith/Alun Cook (Ford Escort MkII) finally solved rally-long brake problems on the final loop, finishing 1m38s up on Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship contenders Meirion Evans/Iwan Jones who scored a terrific top five overall finish on their island debut.

Andrew Hockridge/Aled Edwards took sixth getting valuable mileage and setup times in the Citroen DS3, ahead of post-historic category winners David Stokes/Guy Weaver (Ford Escort MkI) who inched closer to another British Historic title with only the McRae Stages to come.

The leading historic crews who have put on a superb show over three days of dry, sunny weather continued with Will Onions/Dave Williams (Escort MkII) in eighth despite alternator problems this morning.

Locals Martyn Jones/Martin Burns took third in the National event and the Star of the Rally award after a stunning drive in the out-powered Vauxhall Nova.

Jimmy McRae/Pauline Gullick (Vauxhall Firenza) completed the top then, the three time former event winner McRae thoroughly enjoying his return to the islands stages.

In the key British Championship battle McKenna/Kierans knew that all they had to do was make in the finish in the Pirelli Star Drive Citroen DS3, and that drove to that need, happy to lose a few seconds per stage to title rivals Osian Pryce/Dale Furniss in a similar car.

McKenna arrived at the end of the final stage at a packed TT Grandstand to launch huge celebrations from a large Irish contingent of supporters as the title was his, the third Irish driver to lift it, and forty years after Billy Coleman became the first.

It was a fitting end to the current era of BRC rallying.

Ross Hunter/Josh Davison (Peugeot 205) similarly did what they had to do to land the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge despite a trip through a ditch at one point this morning.

Sadly Stu Bainborough/Charlotte Shimmin (MIsubishi Evo III) crashed out of the rally on the final stage whilst in the top ten.

*The organisers would like to thank everyone who played a role in making the event a success, including all officials and competitors, and the Manx populance.

McKenna and Kierans: 2014 BRC champions

Posted: October 20, 2016 9:12 AM

As Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans crossed the final stage finish at Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming, they secured the 2014 MSA British Rally Championship title ahead of rivals Osian Pryce and Dale Furniss.

Calvin Beattie and Martin Brady was the only crew from the BRC entries to complete every single stage of the Rally Isle of Man, recognised by taking top step of the BRC overall event podium.

The epic 24 stage event was split into two rounds for BRC points purposes only and both championship front-running crews had accidents, but McKenna had the upper hand ahead of the 166 mile double-header event, Pryce needing two wins to steal the crown.

Pryce, winner of round five, threw away any chance of victory when he clipped a curb on stage fifteen, bending the rear beam on the car which led to reliance on Super Rally rules just to stay in the event.

From that point it was always a long shot, with McKenna and Kierans merely needing to stay out front to secure the title in their Pirelli Star Driver prize-drive season. McKenna joins Irishmen Billy Coleman (1974 champion) and Keith Cronin (2009,10,12 champion) on the prestigious solid silver trophy. Kierans continues a fine Irish co-driving tradition following Dan O’Sullivan (1974), Brian Murphy (2004), Rory Kennedy (2006,08) and Greg Shinnors (2009) to the title.

McKenna was still taking it in at the finish:
“It’s unbelievable and still hasn’t sunk in yet. It has been four years since we first competed in the BRC and we left no stone unturned in our preparations for this event. It is especially significant that it is 40 years since the first Irishman won the BRC and we won his (Billy Coleman) award on our way to this title.

“After we crashed I thought it was all over and it is thanks to the lads at DGM that we managed to get back in the hunt for the title. I’ve got to offer a massive thanks to Pirelli for this opportunity and hopefully it repays their faith in me.”

Citroën UK retain their MSA British Rally Championship for Constructors title from 2013 and the top two places in the 2014 Citroën Racing Trophy mirror those of the overall BRC.

Pryce was understandably upset at the Isle of Man TT Grandstand finish, accepting responsibility for the error that effectively cost him a chance at the crown. He was magnanimous in defeat though, acknowledging the season-long battle with McKenna as a great one. Pryce also takes a free entry on his home WRC event, benefitting from Wales Rally GB’s generous Road to Wales incentive.

Dean Raftery and Aileen Kelly crashed on round five, but took third placed points on the final round, the result enabling them to grab third overall in the MSA British Rally Championship. Their great pace nets them several titles, the BRC RallyTwo, Class BRC2, FordFiesta SportTrophy and RAVENOL Oils Newcomers Award as well as a free entry on November’s Wales Rally GB.

17 year-old Gus Greensmith started his first BRC season with a view to gaining experience having moved from World Karting, so his MSA British Junior Rally Championship title came as a very welcome surprise to the amiable youngster. He and Melanie Holmes also take the BRC3 Class in the little Fiesta, but the Manx event wasn’t all plain sailing, hitting a bale and breaking the windscreen en-route to the titles. They join the Road to Wales winners and plan to step up to a more powerful car for the experience.

NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy victor Ross Hunter had a great battle on Thursday evening. With his co-driver Josh Davison, there were never more than a handful of seconds separating them from Richard Sykes and co-driver champion Emma Morrison, Hunter having used two different co-drivers this year. But Sykes, a former champion, had a 100mph accident on the penultimate stage of round five, lucky to only end up in a ditch the right way up.

From that point, Hunter had the advantage in the title race and when Sykes broke a driveshaft early on in round six, the Scot merely had to keep his head for the title. A big spin on Saturday morning was a wake-up call, but by the finish the venerable Peugeot 205 arrived in Douglas battered but on top of the podium.

The win rounds off what was a difficult year for Hunter who saw Sykes have all the good luck until the Manx event. Hunter also takes a Road to Wales free entry in the national section of this WRC counter in November.

Unlucky not to finish and grab third in the series were Graeme Sherry and Cameron Fair, thankful to the local Renault dealer who made it possible for them to re-start round six, only to stop two stages from home.

Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming was a fitting and epic end to a difficult season in the MSA British Rally Championship, crews having paid tribute to Timmy Cathcart with a minute’s silence before the rally.

Results

Posted: October 20, 2016 9:11 AM

Rally Isle of Man - 11-13 Sep 14 - RESULTS

Results on Line (Isle of Man 2014) | Results by Tynemouth Computer Services Rally Results

Newby out to continue Manx dominance

Posted: September 8, 2014 12:19 PM

2013 event winners and reigning Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Champions Arron Newby and Rob Fagg (Subaru) will look to take a major step towards retaining the title on this weekends Rally Isle of Man National.

The event has attracted 35 registered Manx Championship crews, an encouraging sign after entries have struggled on recent events. The rally forms a double header round of the series, with points awarded on Friday afternoon and at the finish.

VP Fuels/Pirelli/Beatsons Building Supplies TEG Sport driver Newby, from Carnforth in Lancashire, is still only 19 years-old but has amassed a string of event victories throughout the UK over the last two years. Despite having a quieter time in recent months, he and Fagg top the standings after victory on the 4Hire Jurby Stages in March and a fifth place finish on May’s National Rally.

There is plenty of opposition however, with several drivers keen to push Newby all the way.

Former champion Nigel Cannell has actually entered the main Rally Isle of Man event as his Star Services Mitubishi Evo IX is not modified so can meet the requirements, but it is against Newby that he’ll look to match his times as well as the leading BRC drivers. A top ten finish in May’s difficult conditions showed glimpses of the pace to stick with the leading pack.

Steve Colley/Andrew Cowley finished third last year, just four tenths of a second behind former winner Steve Quine after a fantastic final day scrap. The Specialized Glazing Solutions Mitsubishi Evo IX crew actually led Newby early on at Jurby and finished just 7s behind on the National, so the pace is there for sure and it makes the battle all the more mouthwatering.

You also have to add in Connor Corkill’s Subaru. Connor completed May right behind Colley, and was the star of the final day twelve months ago, really getting to grips with Japanese machine and taking a string of stage wins, ultimately missing the podium by just 14s. The highly experienced Paul McCann, who won Rallee Classicagh last year with Ryan Barrett, could be just the spur to have Connor right in the mix.

Stonehaven’s Barry Groundwater, with Neil Shanks (Mitsubishi Evo IX) scored a top 20 on Barry’s Manx debut in May and are back with ambition, whilst Stu Bainbrough/Charlotte Shimmin have been carrying out plenty of upgrades on their Evo III.

The two-wheel drive battle will be no less fierce. Crowd pleaser and hard charger Martyn Jones is the highest seed with Martin Burns in his giant-killing Vauxhall Nova.

Peter Jackson (Preston) and James Whittaker, former National B category winners of the Manx National are next up in their Ford Escort, followed by the ultra consistent Kex Walker/Dannii Matthews, whose BMW 325 is one of around ten examples of the rear-wheel drive German machines on the entry list.

The Trophy Rally, which takes in Friday night and Saturday’s tests, sees the return of former leading driver Scott Bradshaw. Scott has built a Honda CRX on a £1500 budget to prove it can be done, and this will be his first serious rally in almost 20 years. Main opposition comes from Will Heavey/Adam Yates (BMW E30).

That’s possibly the hallmark of this Rally Isle of Man throughout it’s entry lists…the prospect of close competition in a wide variety of machinery abounds. It should all add up to a great spectator attraction. Enjoy!

Over 100 crews set to tackle Rally Isle of Man

Posted: September 8, 2014 12:18 PM

This weeks Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming has again attracted over 100 crews as organisers and competitors alike enter final preparations for the three day event, one of the longest tests in British Isles rallying.

Amongst them are competitors from Australia, Belgium, France and Japan and Egypt as well as all of the home countries.

In particular the rally will decide the 2014 MSA British Rally Champion, forming the final two rounds of the series, with the event split into two points scoring opportunities. Irish driver Daniel McKenna and Welshman Osian Pryce are the contenders, both driving Citroen DS3’s.

Similarly the supporting NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy will be settled, with Richard Sykes (Citroen) and Ross Hunter (Peugeot) battling it out.

2013 event winner and reigning Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Champions Arron Newby and Rob Fagg (Subaru) will look to take a major step towards retaining the title, with the rally also forming a double round of that series, though there is strong competition to the Carnforth driver from former champion Nigel Cannell and trials star Steve Colley, both in Mitsubishi’s, and Connor Corkill’s Subaru. The crowd-pleasing historic crews are also at the top end of the entry list, with the Ford Escorts of Rob Smith, David Stokes, Meirion Evans, Will Onions and Guy Woodcock just a few of those set to entertain, alongside Jimmy McRae’s return in a Vauxhall Firenza. The event is also part of both the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship and the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Historic Tarmac Rally Championship.

In addition the ‘Rallying with Group B’ team also sees the return of up to ten iconic cars bringing a further echo of yesteryear to the stages as a demonstration event.

The event begins on Thursday 11th September, with the shakedown stage during the day before the event gets properly underway on Douglas promenade with a side by side spectator special stage the first of four tests on the opening night.

The following day crews will tackle 13 closed roads special stages across the island between 9am and 11pm, headlined by the double run through Castletown in the evening, always popular with large numbers of spectators.

The action continues on Saturday, a further seven stages building up to the traditional finale, the Classic stage that takes crews across the island, starting near Ballaugh and ending with the dash through the streets of Douglas to the finish at the TT Grandstand, where the champagne will await the victors.

Spectating is free of charge throughout the event.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: September 8, 2014 12:10 PM

Rally Isle of Man - 11-13 Sep 14 - ENTRY LIST

• Rally Isle of Man (International)

Jimmy McRae confirms Manx return as entry deadline approaches

Posted: August 13, 2014 2:25 PM

Jimmy McRae, one of the legendary names of British rallying is set to return to Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming next month.

The Scot, a five time British rally champion, has won the event outright three times, and will contest the rally as part of his Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship campaign, driving a Vauxhall Firenza can-am.

Jimmy’s first victory on the Manx came in 1982 at the wheel of a Rothmans team Opel Ascona, winning for the same marquee two years later in an Opel Manta by a still record margin of 12m31s. His final victory was in a Ford Sierra Cosworth in 1987.

McRae is one of over 50 entries received by organisers so far, with others planning to compete urged to act quickly as entries close at the reduced rate next Monday, 11th August. Normal rate entries will remain open for a further week until Tuesday 19th August.

Amongst those received so far are crews from Japan, France, Belgium and Australia, as well as around the British Isles.

The three day event is also a qualifier in the MSA British Rally Championship, NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy, Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Historic Tarmac Rally Championship and Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship.

Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming runs from Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th September.

Entries Received

Posted: August 13, 2014 2:18 PM

Available at:

• Rally Isle of Man (International)

Bonus time at Rally Isle of Man!

Posted: August 13, 2014 2:17 PM

With reduced rate entries closing today (Monday 10th August), the organisers of next months Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming are reminding crews from each of the Championships towards which the event counts to take advantage before the 5pm deadline.

The three day event now forms the concluding rounds of this year’s MSA British Rally Championship and NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy. Already set to be a double-header, the final leg will also now have the available points boosted by 50%.

Similarly Rally Isle of Man will form a double-header opportunity for the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship, whilst bonus points are also on offer to crews in the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship for starting the event.

The rally is also part of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Historic Tarmac Rally Championship.

With the Todds Leap Ulster Rally, taking place this coming weekend, also a round of several of the same Championships, Rally Isle of Man are allowing crews contesting that event to submit entries without making payment until after next weekends action.

Crews not part of these series who wish to take on the famous stages around the island will also be particularly welcome, joining competitors from Australia, Belgium, France and Japan who have already entered.

Normal rate entries will remain open for a further week until Tuesday 19th August, with classes to accommodate every type of rally car.

Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming runs from Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th September. Regulations and entry forms are available at www.rallyisleofman.co.im

Over 80 crews are already on the list. Come and join them and enjoy one of the biggest challenges in rallying!

Entries are open!

Posted: July 17, 2014 5:10 PM

Rally Isle of Man Ltd and Druidale Motor Club Ltd have today published the regulations for the three events that make up this year’s Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming, driving the rally into its 51st year!

They are available for all competitors on the event’s website www.rallyisleofman.co.im, and offer everyone a chance to come and enjoy one of the best known asphalt rallies in the world, with classes for every type of rally car.

The event is split into one National A status and two National B events, allowing all grades of competition licence holder the chance to participate.

The National A event, Rally Isle of Man, forms the concluding rounds of the 2014 MSA British Rally Championship and NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy, returning to the event this year.

The Rallee Classicagh categories will also include the British Historic Rally Championship and Clonakilty Black Pudding Irish Historic Tarmac Rally Championship contenders, that have become the fans favourites.

Non-championship registered crews can also enter these sections of the event and there are also classes to accommodate world rally cars, the new R4 and R5 categories, Super 2000 and even FIA-GT cars.

Rally Isle of Man National, a National B status event will run alongside, covering the entire route of almost 400 miles, of which 166 are on 24 closed roads stages. Again open to all, this section will include crews from the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship with the event forming a crucial double-header round, as well as Irish Tarmac crews wishing to enter under this licence category.

Rally Isle of Man Trophy is the second National B event, catering for crews who want to compete on the second half of the event, covering Friday evening and Saturday’s competition. This will again form part of the Manx Championship.

The event is open to competitors from around the world as it is registered as a ‘National Event with Authorised Foreign Participation (NEAFP)’, allowing Rally Isle of Man to accept entries from non-UK and Irish license holders. Interest has already been received from teams from Japan, mainland Europe and Africa.

Rally Isle of Man, powered by Microgaming, takes place over three days from Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th September.

To help take the stress out of booking arrangements, the rally has once again teamed up with specialist trip planners Isle of Man Events Limited (www.iomevents.com). Sally and Natalie will be only too happy to look after the planning for your entire trip, covering travel and accommodation, with great prices, only available through Rally Isle of Man. Contact +44 (0) 1624 664460 or email: sally@iomevents.com; Natalie@iomevents.com.

Come and take on one of the biggest challenges in world rallying!

Microgaming continues to power Rally Isle of Man

Posted: July 17, 2014 5:09 PM

Gaming software provider and industry leader Microgaming confirms that it will continue as the headline sponsor of Rally Isle of Man, which takes place in September 2014.

It will mark the third consecutive year of support for the islands premier four-wheeled motorsport event, that this year returns to the marquee MSA British Rally Championship and Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship, as well as being a counter in both the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Historic Rally Championship and the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship.

John Gill, Chairman of Rally Isle of Man, confirmed the agreement, saying,
“Along with our organising partners Druidale Motor Club, we are delighted to head into such an important year, in the re-emergence of the event, with as supportive a sponsor as Microgaming behind us.”

“It makes a great difference to the rally; not just financially, though that is very important with top level UK rallying still struggling from the financial downturn, but also with the physical support Microgaming offers. This has enabled us to introduce the showpiece Douglas promenade stage amongst other elements that have proved such a hit with spectators and allow us to bring the event even closer to the public and broaden the appeal for all.”

Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming, expressed his delight:
“We are very proud to be a part of Rally Isle of Man for the third year running. The organisers have done a superb job in growing the Rally year-on-year and establishing it as one of the biggest on-island sporting events. And for Rally Isle of Man to return to the MSA British Rally Championship, what a brilliant achievement. Expect this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever before – I for one can’t wait!”

Rally Isle of Man, powered by Microgaming, takes place over three days from Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th September.

Rally Isle of Man confirmed as 2014 British Rally Championship double-header

Posted: July 17, 2014 5:08 PM

The return of Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming to the MSA British Rally Championship in 2014, first announced in September, will have added prestige as the event has been confirmed this week as being the only double points scoring round of Britain’s premier rally series.

The publication of Championship Regulations confirms that the rally will form scoring opportunities six and seven for all categories and awards of the eight available in total.

In addition crews will still be targeting overall glory across the three days, with event presentations being made on the basis of a single rally.

Rally Isle of Man 2014 will take place from Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th September.

It is likely that the event will follow a similar format to this years 50th anniversary edition, starting on Thursday evening with the Villa Marina side-by-side stage on Douglas promenade that has rapidly become a huge draw for spectators. Further action on Friday morning and early afternoon will conclude the opening half of the rally at which time the first set of points will be awarded.

Crews will then fight for a second points haul over Friday evening and Saturday’s tests, likely to include the ever-popular Castletown town centre stages and the grand finale Classic test that event Patron Mark Higgins recently stated he felt was the best stage in all of British rallying!

The news puts even more emphasis on the world renowned testing roads of the island, with BRC events this year often fought out by mere tenths of seconds by crews from Norway, Finland and Sweden as well across the British Isles.

“Put those two aspects together, our fabulous stages and the closeness of the competition in the BRC and next September’s event should be quite a spectacle!” says John Gill, Chairman of Rally Isle of Man. “We’re like children in a sweet shop, 2014 simply can’t come soon enough!”

The event will also feature as a double-header round of the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship, and as rounds of both the Mintex MSA British Historic Championship and Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Historic Tarmac Championship.

Regulations / Rally Guide / Details

Posted: July 17, 2014 5:07 PM

• Rally Isle of Man (International)