2010 MSA British Historic Rally Championship

BHRC season review DVD released

Posted: November 22, 2010 6:57 PM

The end-of-season review DVD of the Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship has just been completed and will retail at the bargain price of just £15.

Acceleration Television and Video, the company headed by David Winstanley, filmed all eight rounds of the 2010 BHRC and the two-hour compilation DVD is now available.

The action-packed DVD will be officially released at Pickering on Friday (26 November) during documentation for the Roger Albert Clark Rally and it can be ordered on line at: www.rallytv.co.uk

The DVD will also be available for sale at Autosport International at the NEC (13-16 January) and at the HRCR Open Day at Gaydon on Saturday 15 January.

Winstanley will also be producing a joint BHRC/Roger Albert Clark Rally onboard compilation DVD, which will sell for just £10.

Three clubmen get free entry into a BHRC event

Posted: August 27, 2010 8:34 AM

he three winners of the Holton Homes Award have been announced for 2010, a new series of discretionary awards in the Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

Simon Whitehead (Hillman Imp), Gary Orton (Ford Escort Mk1) and David Lloyd-Roberts (Ford Escort Mk2) have been awarded a free entry into either the Tour of Flanders or the Trackrod Historic Cup, the two concluding BHRC rounds of the season.

The three winners of the BHRC 'Spirit of Clubmen' awards were selected by an expert panel, which was looking for crews that typify the ethos of clubmen, competing in a self-prepared car and running on limited funds.

Supported by Holton Homes, the company of BHRC contender Peter Egerton, the BHRC 'Spirit of Clubmen' award has presented three fully paid entry fees; one to the category 1 cars, one to the category 2 cars and one to the category 3 cars. Each award is worth up to £500.

"We wanted to make a difference to crews running on limited finances," said Egerton. "I'm very pleased with the three crews that have been chosen by the judges and I look forward to seeing them competing in Belgium or Yorkshire."

"This is a great way to recognise and reward the efforts of the lower-budget clubmen competing in the BHRC," said series co-ordinator Simon Marks. "We are very grateful to Holton Homes for supporting the awards and we are pleased to have selected three very deserving recipients."

BHRC gets prime-time TV slots

Posted: March 9, 2010 9:27 AM

The early broadcast schedules for the Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship show prime-time slots for the coverage on Motors TV. Importantly, coverage of the opening two rallies will broadcast within three weeks of the event.

All eight rounds of the BHRC will be televised in 2010, with dedicated hour-long programmes on Motors TV following each round supported by 'My Life Story'. Acceleration Television and Video, the company headed by David Winstanley, will exclusively film all eight rallies and produce television programmes as well as DVDs, which will be available through acceleration.co.uk

Coverage of the opening round on Motors TV, the Bulldog Historic Rally on 27 March, will first be broadcast at 9.15pm on Saturday 17 April. The BHRC report will be the programme immediately ahead of coverage of the WRC Rally of Turkey.

The coverage of round two, the Pirelli Historic Rally on 24 April, will first be screened on Saturday 15 May at 10.20pm, which is the time slot usually reserved for WRC events. In both cases, each programme will have several repeats in the week after the initial transmission.

More details about broadcast schedules will be published in due course. Please check TV listings for the latest information.

Historic Rally Car Register (BHRC)

New BHRC award to support the clubmen

Posted: February 2, 2010 12:07 PM

A new series of discretionary awards in the Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship will support three clubmans crews with paid entry fees on one of the closing rounds of the 2010 season.

With the support of Holton Homes, the company of BHRC contender Peter Egerton, the BHRC 'Spirit of Clubmen' award will present three fully paid entry fees to either the Tour of Flanders or the Trackrod Historic Cup. One entry fee will be awarded to the category 1 cars, one to the category 2 cars and one to the category 3 cars.

By offering an entry to either the Tour of Flanders (10/11 September) or the Trackrod Historic Cup (25 September), the selected crews will have the choice of taking their award on an asphalt or a gravel event.

The three winners of the BHRC 'Spirit of Clubmen' awards will be selected by an expert panel and will be chosen at the end of July. The judging panel will be looking for crews that typify the ethos of clubmen, competing in a self-prepared car and running on limited funds. Notably, such crews that have suffered a catalogue of problems over the opening half of the season can still be considered.

"This is a great way to recognise and reward the effort of the lower-budget clubmen competing in the BHRC," said series co-ordinator Simon Marks. "We are very grateful to Holton Homes for supporting the awards and we really hope this will make a significant difference to the season of three crews."

Historic Rally Car Register (BHRC)

Hall plans BHRC Asphalt Cup challenge

Posted: January 22, 2010 2:21 PM

Triumph TR specialist Stephen Hall will return to historic rallying in 2010 to contest the Waterend Asphalt Cup, which runs over four asphalt rallies held within the Dunlop/Wonago.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

Hall, who spent the 2009 season racing a classic Triumph TR6, has recently completed the build of a fresh TR7 V8 and plans to campaign it in the Asphalt Cup. As well as the three BHRC rounds in the Isle of Man, Ulster and Flanders, the Asphalt Cup also takes in the Harry Flatters Rally on Epynt on 1 August.

Hall's business is TR Enterprises, which specialises in parts, servicing and rebuilds of all Triumph TRs. "I like the fact that the TRs are completely different," said Hall. "Over the last couple of years I wondered if I'd had enough of competing, but I've now built a new TR7 V8 for rallying. I'm going to stick to tarmac."

The latest TR7 V8 has been built up from a road car and a new shell. It should make its competition on the Southdown Stages at Goodwood on Saturday 6 February when the history of the TR7 V8 is being celebrated.

TR Enterprises is also the title sponsor for the HRCR Historic Stage Rally Challenge, which starts on Rallye Sunseeker Historique on 27 February.

BHRC makes bumper start at Gaydon Open Day

Posted: January 19, 2010 4:17 PM

The Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship got off to a flying start at the annual HRCR Open Day at Gaydon on Saturday (16 January 2010).

The Open Day is the start-off point for the coming season as championship registrations open and crews start to firm up their plans for the year ahead. In one day, championship manager Simon Marks took 28 driver and 11 co-driver registrations, a higher number than in previous years. "It was very busy; we took more registrations on the day than ever and it was particularly encouraging to record that 10 of those registrations were from new competitors."

Most of the eight events in the 2010 BHRC were represented and all reported strong interest from existing and new competitors. One leading organising team commented that they had been inundated with enquiries about their event.

A number of development for the BHRC were unveiled at the Open Day:

1) Championship supporters
Alongside title support from Dunlop and WONAGO.com, the BHRC enjoys additional backing from six organisations. The BHRC management team is delighted that the support of Mintex, West Wales Rally Spares, Richard Egger Insurance and Water End Properties continues in 2010. Meanwhile, new for the coming season is support from Minilite and Passmores Classic Timber Garages.

2) Assisted travel package for Ulster
The organisers of the Ulster Historic Rally (20/21 August) have announced a special package deal for registered BHRC contenders. With the support of Tourism Ireland, a special price of from £595 will cover the event entry fee and a return ferry crossing for a car/van and trailer plus two people.

3) 2010 television package
All eight rounds of the championship will be televised in 2010, with dedicated hour-long programmes on Motors TV following each round. The new deal for the championship has been arranged by Acceleration Television and Video, the company headed by David Winstanley. With the support of 'My Life Story', this year's BHRC will benefit from unrivalled TV coverage as well as DVDs of each round, an end of season compilation DVD and brief post-event web reports

4) Under 25 awards
The achievements of young drivers will be marked in the 2010 championship following the announcement of a series of awards for the best driver and co-driver under the age of 25. The HRCR Under 25 Award will be supported by Dunlop, West Wales Rally Spares and XS Racing and will reward the best class points' score by a driver and co-driver.

5) Gravel and asphalt mini-series
The 2010 BHRC will feature two dedicated mini-series for gravel and asphalt rallies, with five gravel rallies in the Water End Properties Gravel Cup and four asphalt events qualifying for the Water End Properties Asphalt Cup. Both series are already attracting considerable competitor interest and the development has encouraged some crews to return to competition after a break.

Slaughter and Potter commit to BHRC Gravel Cup

Posted: January 7, 2010 3:32 PM

Kent-based Ford Escort Mk2 drivers Dick Slaughter and James Potter have confirmed plans to contest the Waterend Gravel Cup next season, which runs over the five gravel rallies held within the Dunlop/Wonago.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship.  

Slaughter and regular co-driver Geoff Dearing will campaign their ex-Roger Clark Ford Escort Mk2 on the gravel events, their preferred surface. Meanwhile, Potter will be partnered by Bob Duck for a mainly gravel-based season, which will start with a warm-up run on the Red Kite Stages on 24 January.

  "The days when we had half a chance of winning the championship class have gone so having the Gravel Cup to chase appeals greatly," said Slaughter, who is not a fan of rallying on asphalt.  

Gravel and asphalt mini-series for 2010 BHRC

Posted: December 16, 2009 1:10 PM

The 2010 Dunlop/wonago.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship will feature two dedicated mini-series for gravel and asphalt rallies, with five gravel rallies in the Water End Properties Gravel Cup and four asphalt events qualifying for the Water End Properties Asphalt Cup.

The best performance on each surface has been recognised for the last two years, and the 2009 winners were Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride (gravel) and Paul Mankin/Desmond Bell (asphalt).

However, in 2010 the concept will be taken further by additional awards and the inclusion of a fourth asphalt event. Although not a part of the overall BHRC for 2010, the Harry Flatters Historic Rally on Epynt will be included in the Water End Properties Asphalt Cup to give competitors four sealed-surface rallies.

"Some competitors want more gravel rallies and some competitors want more asphalt events," said championship manager Simon Marks.
"Whilst the overall BHRC will continue to be decided over both types of surface, this development will particularly suit those competitors who prefer either gravel or asphalt. We already had five strong gravel rallies and have included the Harry Flatters for those who would like to focus on asphalt rallies."

The awards for each mini-series will include first, second and third overall as well as class awards. In the gravel series, competitors will score their best four results from five rallies. Meanwhile in the asphalt series, where the three 'over-the-water' events in the Isle of Man, Ulster and Flanders accrue additional points, competitors will be able to miss one of these three rallies and still challenge for awards.

"These awards recognise that certain historic cars are much more suited to one surface than the other, not to mention some of the drivers," said Steven Smith of Water End Properties. "We specifically wanted to give those crews something worthwhile to get out and compete for."

To be eligible for either series, competitors must be members of the Historic Rally Car Register.

The provisional calendars are:

Water End Properties Gravel Cup

1. Bulldog Rally (Wales) 27-Mar 10
2. Pirelli Historic Rally (Kielder) 24-Apr 10
3. Severn Valley Stages (Wales) 06-Jun 10
4. Mid Wales Stages (Wales) 20-Jun 10
5. Trackrod Historic Cup (Yorkshire) 25-Sep 10

1. Isle of Man Historic Rally 9/10 July 10
2. Harry Flatters Historic Rally (Epynt)* 01-Aug 10
3. Ulster Historic Rally 20/21 August 10
4. Tour of Flanders (Belgium) 11/12 Sept 10

Historic Rally Car Register (BHRC)

2010 BHRC unveiled

Posted: December 16, 2009 1:05 PM

The inclusion of the Ulster Rally is the key change for the 2010 MSA British Historic Rally Championship, with the closed-road event replacing the Harry Flatters Rally on Epynt.

The MSA has recently awarded a new five-year contract to the Historic Rally Car Register to manage the championship, which comes as the HRCR completes a 10-year stint at the helm of the BHRC. The new agreement will take the championship through until at least 2014 under the same management.

Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive said:
"The MSA has conducted a full review of the promotional contracts for all of the major rally championships. We are pleased that the HRCR is keen to continue its excellent work of recent years and this long-term contract will provide stability for all parties."

Championship manager Simon Marks said:
"We are delighted to have secured the contract from the MSA to continue taking the British Historic Rally Championship forward over the coming years. 2009 has been a particularly enjoyable season and we are looking forward to a couple of exciting developments and more competitors joining us to make 2010 our best season yet."

There will also be a new title for the BHRC, as wonago.com takes over from the Gambia as joint title sponsor with Dunlop.
Wonago.com is the new holiday company of regular BHRC competitor Martin Freestone, who continues his support for the championship. The new title will be the Dunlop/wonago.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

Wonago.com is a travel and holiday web site, with six search engines to book holidays, cruises, flights, insurance, car hire and motor home hire, all at great discounted prices. Additionally, exclusive membership gives access to over 6,000 worldwide Premier resort villas and apartments at unbeatable prices.

Meanwhile, Dunlop will continue to provide major backing to the championship during the second year of a multi-year partnership with the BHRC. As well as being the championship's tyre supplier, Dunlop's support has allowed extensive TV coverage of the 2009 season.

The schedule for 2010 closely follows the 2009 calendar, other than the inclusion of the Ulster Rally in August. The move away from Epynt is the result of an extensive competitor survey, which clearly demonstrated demand for another high-profile closed-roads rally rather than an event on Epynt.

The Antrim-based Ulster Rally will offer a fresh new challenge and current BHRC champion Dessie Nutt says that the crews contesting the event will not be disappointed.

"It really is a superb event," said Nutt. "Everybody who goes will be very, very impressed. The stages are fantastic; some of them are old Circuit of Ireland stages. There is a very senior team that organises the event and every one of them has extensive competition experience."

Provisional Championship Rounds

Posted: December 16, 2009 1:04 PM

1. Bulldog Rally (gravel) 27-Mar 10
2. Pirelli Historic Rally (gravel) 24-Apr 10
3. Severn Valley Stages (gravel) 06-Jun 10
4. Mid Wales Stages (gravel) 20-Jun 10
5. Isle of Man Historic Rally (asphalt) 9/10 July 10
6. Ulster Historic Rally (asphalt) 20/21 August 10
7. Tour of Flanders (asphalt) 11/12 Sept 10
8. Trackrod Historic Cup (gravel) 25-Sep 10

Historic Rally Car Register (BHRC)