Autosport Show - 8-11 Jan 15

Big response to 2015 BHRC and R.A.C. at the NEC

Posted: January 17, 2015 3:13 PM

There was a fantastic response to the 2015 MSA British Historic Rally Championship and the 2015 West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C. Rally Championship when they were unveiled at Autosport International at the Birmingham NEC (8-11 January).

The Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club had a prominent stand from which to launch its 2015 programme and a constant stream of visitors across four days included current and potential competitors, commercial partners, event organisers and fans.

The start of the 2015 season heralds a new era for the BHRC as Britain’s leading championship for historic cars starts a new five-year term under the management of the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club.

Championship registrations for the coming season flooded in and there are already over 40 contenders entered for the opening event of the season, the Red Kite Stages.

“We were delighted with the response at the show,” said championship manager Colin Heppenstall. “There is a real buzz about the coming season with many crews returning and a significant number of new competitors set to join the historic fraternity.”

Meanwhile, the DVD of the 2014 Roger Albert Clark Rally is now available. The two-hour DVD of the rally, produced by Olly Dickinson, was filmed from six cameras and numerous on-boards cameras and is priced at £20. The DVD comes with a free on-board DVD covering 100 minutes of action.

The 2015 MSA British Historic Rally Championship and the WWRS R.A.C. Rally Championship start on the Red Kite Stages on Sunday 1 February and more details are available from www.redkitestages.co.uk

Photos

Posted: January 12, 2015 9:52 PM

crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures

M-SPORT’S 100TH FORD FIESTA R5

Posted: January 12, 2015 8:31 PM

Since launching in the midst of 2013 M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta R5 has become one of the company’s most successful models – the 100th version displayed in celebration at this week’s Autosport International Show in the United Kingdom.

The Fiesta R5 has yielded considerable successes on the global rally scene with countless victories and a number of championship laurels since its inaugural debut.

Most recently, Kajetan Kajetanowicz piloted his Fiesta R5 to an impressive seven minute victory at the 2015 Internationale Jänner Rallye. Not content with a victory and a further podium position, the Fiesta R5 also claimed a clean-sweep of stage wins.

The latest Fiesta was competitive from the off and the team continues its meticulous attention to detail with a series of planned upgrades for the coming year.

Development plans are already underway for a number of upgrades that will be introduced towards the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Having been registered in 28 different countries to date, interest and orders continue to grow – making M-Sport’s Fiesta R5 one of the firm’s most notable success stories.

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:

“We are all extremely proud of the Ford Fiesta R5. It has been one of our most successful models with considerable achievements on a global scale. With further developments and upgrades in the pipeline, it is fantastic to see the 100th version leave the workshop as interest and orders continue to grow.”

NEW FORD FIESTA R2 REVEALED

Posted: January 12, 2015 8:28 PM

Development on the new Ford Fiesta R2 is in full swing as M-Sport prepare to launch a new evolution towards the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Launched in 2009, the Fiesta R2 is considered to be M-Sport’s first global rally car and has secured numerous successes around the globe. The latest evolution looks to build on that success with upgrades to the suspension, brake and transmission systems.

The most significant upgrade however comes with a new 1.0 litre engine. Working closely with the Ford Motor Company, M-Sport’s engineers have harnessed the power and performance of Ford’s Ecoboost technology.

Drawing on Ford’s engineering expertise, the 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine is a triple winner of the prestigious International Engine of the year award in 2012, 2013 and 2014. This remarkable engine powers the road-going Ford Fiesta as well as many other models in Ford’s range of road cars and light commercial vehicles and will provide the new Fiesta R2 with a step-up in performance.
The first development tests began in earnest at the end of 2014 with encouraging results for the team’s dedicated team of designers and engineers. Most recently, Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy (DDFT) champion, Sander Pärn, put the new evolution through its paces at M-Sport’s private test facility at Greystoke Forest.

The model will be on display at this week’s Autosport International Show in the United Kingdom and is due to make its competitive debut as part of the 2015 DDFT in May.

The series provides a cost-effective platform for upcoming drivers to experience the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) – competitors piloting identical Ford Fiesta R2s on five select rounds of the WRC (Portugal, Poland, Finland, Germany and Spain). The Trophy also offers the most sought-after prize in motorsport with the victor securing seven WRC 2 rounds with a Drive DMACK Ford Fiesta R5 the following season.

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“The initial tests have been very encouraging and we will continue with the development over the next few months. The Ford Fiesta R2 was one of our most successful models and the new evolution looks to provide an improvement in almost all areas of the car. Thanks to our continued support from Ford, the new 1.0 litre engine will provide a good step in performance and I am looking forward to seeing it in competition.”

Head of Ford Racing in Europe, Gerard Quinn, said:
“As we continue our partnership with M-Sport it is great to see the latest Ford technology competing at rallying’s highest level. As a triple winner of the prestigious International Engine of the year award, the 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine is one of Ford’s most remarkable developments and it is a pleasure to see the technology translated in M-Sport’s competition cars.”

Sander Pärn, said:
“As soon as I got behind the wheel of the new Fiesta I could feel the improvements throughout the car. There are a lot of small upgrades in every area and there is no doubt in my mind that this will provide a step forward overall. The Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy competitors are certainly going to have a lot of fun with this car – the turbo engine makes it a lot of fun to drive and the noise it makes is incredible!”

PIRELLI-BACKED BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONS HONOURED IN BIRMINGHAM

Posted: January 12, 2015 7:44 PM

The Pirelli-supported 2014 MSA British Rally Championship award winners were honoured at a ceremony during the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham on Saturday (January 10).

The presentations were made on the Pirelli UK stand (No 6150) at the event and members of the public visiting the annual motorsport exhibition were able to watch Pirelli-backed drivers and co-drivers receive their trophies. These included British champions Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans, plus the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge-winning crew of Ross Hunter and Emma Morrison.

BRC manager Mark Taylor used the event to pay tribute to Pirelli, a long-term partner of the British championship and supporter of the Pirelli Star Driver scheme, which helped to showcase the careers of a number of rising talents including Elfyn Evans and new British champion Daniel McKenna from Ireland.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Pirelli for their loyal support to the British Rally Championship,” said Taylor. “I worked closely with them for 12 years culminating in the presentation of the 2014 awards on their stand at the NEC. The ceremony provided the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of a young crop of up-and-coming talent, something that we can all be very proud of, especially Pirelli as their pivotal role was crucial in the success of our BRC driver development strategy.”

John Horton hosted the event, which marks the 58th running of an awards ceremony for the British Rally Championship. The BRC will not run in 2015 but will return in a new format in 2016.

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Posted: November 23, 2014 5:07 PM

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