2012 BTRDA Rally Series

MML Sports Lancer WRC lights up the BTRDA

Posted: February 4, 2012 9:03 AM

Following a successful return to British rally stages last year, MML Sports is delighted to confirm that one of its Mitsubishi Lancer WRC World Rally Cars will again be present on one of the UK's premier rally series this year, the BTRDA.

Last year, the Lancer WRC took a well deserved second place overall on the finale of the 2011 BTRDA, the Cambrian Rally, clearly demonstrating its pace and potential in the foremost UK 4WD rally series.

However, even before that event, former Group N driver Tristan Bailey had decided that the Lancer would offer him the best chance to challenge for overall victory in the series. His aim is simple; to use the 2012 season to get to grips with the Lancer WRC, challenge for podium or even event wins towards the end of the season and mount a challenge for the overall title in 2013.

Bailey finished third in the Group N Production Cup in 2010 and fourth overall in the series but had a difficult 2011. However, he views the Lancer WRC, with its reputation for being not only competitive but also easy to drive and quick to learn, as the best option for 2012 and '13.

The car will be run on all eight events that make up the series by MML Sports, taking the team the length and breadth of the country. Starting in Chepstow on February 11 with the Wyedean Rally, the season culminates with the Cambrian, using the infamous Great Orme Road and traditionally, a warm-up event for Wales Rally GB, the UK round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

True to form though, the MML Sports team will again need to be in two places at once over the weekend of February 11/12, as Raimonds Kisiels will take part in Rally Sarma, the second round of the Latvian Rally Championship. Once again back at the wheel of the Lancer WRC, this event marks the second and last winter snow rally of the series, before the championship pauses until the spring and gravel roads are seen once more.

Commenting, MML Sports Managing Director John Easton said;
"It hasn't been much of an off season for us; we've been busy preparing for the start of this year with the two world cars for this weekend as well as building a new R4 Lancer EvolutionX which will be taking part in the Middle East Rally Championship. Once again, we find ourselves at opposite ends of Europe for the first weekend of competition.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing the Lancer WRC in action throughout the BTRDA series this year with Tristan. He's clearly a very capable driver and I'm sure he will do well in the car, which we know is competitive. It will also be good to get back out to Latvia with Raimonds and rest of the team and with the MERC programme coming up, it looks as if this will be another busy year for us."

Vital Equipment launches Champions on Ice for 2012

Posted: February 3, 2012 8:13 PM

Following the success of 2011's Run to the Sun competition, Vital Equipment, the UK distributor for Carless Racing Fuels and DMACK tyres has announced its 2012 competition, Champions on Ice. This year's reward will differ from 2011, in that the winning driver from the Junior categories of the BTRDA and Scottish rally series will win a funded four-day trip to Ice Drive Sweden to hone their skills on a frozen lake.

Last year, the winning junior driver and their co-driver from both series were treated to a four-day trip to Rally d'Espana as guests of Vital Equipment. This proved a huge success, with all four - Tom Cave, Craig Parry, Liam Harkness and William Keaning - soaking up the WRC's most famous party atmosphere as well as taking in some iconic stages.

However, the company decided this year that the prize should help develop a driver's skill and propel them forward in their rallying career. One of the most widely acknowledged ways to do this is for drivers to take part in an ice driving event, learning car control in low grip situations. And it is exactly this that the 2012 scheme will deliver.

Each driver will receive two days of training with Matt Edwards of MERallyDrive. Matt is a former BTRDA 1400, MSA English and Welsh National Group N Champion. Driving Group N Ford Fiesta STs fitted with DMack tyres, they will spend the two days at the Ice Drive Sweden facility, run by former rally and rallycross champion and 205 Challenge series organiser, Pat Flynn. All associated costs, including flights, transfers and accommodation will be met by Vital Equipment.

While the 2011 Run to the Sun competition was open to all Junior drivers in the BTRDA and SRC series, in 2012, drivers must register for the scheme and use fuel supplied by Vital Equipment, exclusively for at least four events during the season. This can be products from the Carless Racing Fuels range, such as Turbo Ultimate or Vital Equipment's low-cost option, of super unleaded fuel. Competitors must also carry Champions on Ice stickers on their cars on every rally, highlighting their participation in the scheme.

Commenting, MD of Vital Equipment, Alistair Roberts, said: "Last year's Run to the Sun competition was a resounding success and all four of the winners had a real blast in Spain for the penultimate round of the 2011 WRC. We wanted to do something similar for this year but at the same time, offer a prize that would help drivers develop their skills and that's when we came up with the idea of the ice driving school.

"Participation in the scheme is fairly straightforward - people just have to run the stickers and use fuel supplied by Vital Equipment at least four times during the year. We know from feedback from our many customers that the fuel itself delivers the goods in terms of performance and consistency and the idea is to offer a little something more from Vital Equipment.

"Of course, we'll be providing fuelling services at every round of the BTRDA and the SRC series, starting with the Wyedean Rally in February and will also have the full range of DMACK tyres available for delivery to each event."

For more information, including registration details for Champions on Ice and order forms for Carless Racing Fuels and DMACK tyres, go to the Vital Equipment website:

Vital Equipment

New title sponsors and TV announced for BTRDA Rally Series

Posted: December 7, 2011 11:43 AM

New title sponsors and TV announced for BTRDA Rally Series For 2012 and 2013 the title sponsors of both the BTRDA Rally Series and the MSA Asphalt Championship will be REIS and Get Connected! They will be known respectively as the REIS - Get Connected! BTRDA Rally Series and the REIS - Get Connected! MSA Asphalt Championship.

REIS have long been associated with the Asphalt Championship, as has Damian Cole, who is the 2010 & 2011 MSA Asphalt Champion. However the BTRDA Rally Series is a new venture for both companies, but one that will have the full backing and support from both Damian and Phil Barnard of REIS.

As an added bonus to this two year sponsorship deal REIS and Get Connected!, working with a number of other championship sponsors and the BTRDA, have agreed to bring both the BTRDA Rally Series and Asphalt Championship to mainstream TV.
All rounds from both championships will be televised in conjunction with MC-Video and Motors TV, with full one hour programmes, thus further enhancing the prestige and value of all the rounds within the respective championships. Asked to comment on the overall sponsorship package both Damian Cole and Phil Barnard said:
We are delighted to be able to secure the future of two popular rally championships, ensuring that competitors and enthusiasts can continue to enjoy both the challenge of competing and watching the spectacle of powerful rally cars locked in head to head competition on some of the most demanding roads and forest stages the country has to offer.

Further announcements will be made over the next few weeks about a number of other support packages that will further enhance the REIS Get Connected! BTRDA Rally Series next year.

Full details of all the events scheduled for 2012 and details of all programme times for Motors TV will be published as soon as they are finalised.

BTRDA RALLY SERIES

Championship Rounds

Posted: December 7, 2011 11:41 AM

1. Wyedean Forest Rally - 11 Feb 12
2. Malcolm Wilson Rally - 3 Mar 12
3. Somerset Stages - 21 Apr 12
4. Plains Rally - 19 May 12
5. Dukeries Rally - 9 Jun 12
6. Quinton Stages Rally - 14 Jul 12
7. Woodpecker Stages - 1 Sep 12
8. Cambrian Rally - 20 Oct 12

BTRDA RALLY SERIES