Rally North Wales (Bulldog) - CANCELLED

MORRIS LUBRICANTS RALLY NORTH WALES CANCELLED IN 2013

Posted: April 20, 2013 8:55 AM

Wolverhampton & South Staffordshire Car Club Ltd, organisers of the Welshpool-based Morris Lubricants Rally North Wales - originally planned for Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April and subsequently postponed due to adverse weather conditions - will not be run in 2013.

Event Manager Kevin Witton explains the reasons for the cancellation;
"Despite lengthy discussions with the Motor Sports Association, their Rally Championship Steering Group and the five championship organisers who had confirmed our event as one of their qualifying rounds, we simply could not find a suitable alternative date to run our event in 2013".

Mark Taylor, Manager, MSA British Rally Championship, said:
"It's a real shame the rally won't run this year, as it is one of the more popular events in the rally calendar. It's also a blow to the organising team, who have worked tirelessly over the past nine months preparing for the event. To find an alternative date at this stage would have been an almost impossible task; rather than go off half-cocked, I think this is a good decision. I have spoken to the organising team and have assured them that Rally North Wales will be a counting round of the 2014 MSA British Rally Championship and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the Club in preparing for next season."

MSA Steering Group Chairman Mike Broad summed up the organisers invidious situation:
"The Morris Lubricants Rally North Wales is the only rally that qualified for four of the biggest stage rally championships in the UK and it has been an impossible task to find a new date that worked for everyone involved.

"Other issues not solely relating to date availability had to be taken in to account. For example, the allocation of forest stages, venues for service parks in both Welshpool and Dolgellau, and the start/finish facilities in Welshpool. It has not been an easy decision for the Wolverhampton club and I am sure, having given full refunds to every one of the 140 entrants, they will have lost a considerable amount of money through this enforced cancellation.

"I have a tremendous amount of sympathy for Kevin and his volunteer team and am delighted to hear that they have already been assured of a place in the 2014 MSA British Rally Championship."

MORRIS LUBRICANTS RALLY NORTH WALES POSTPONED

Posted: April 2, 2013 10:14 AM

Wolverhampton & South Staffordshire Car Club Ltd, organisers of the Morris Lubricants Rally North Wales, which was scheduled to run this coming weekend on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April, have, after careful consideration, taken the decision to postpone the Welshpool-based event.

Event Manager Kevin Witton explains the reason for the postponement: "Since Wednesday (27 March) of last week, we have been closely monitoring the adverse weather conditions within and surrounding the Dyfi, Dyfnant and Gartheiniog forests, which were to provide the rally with its competitive sections.

"Today (Monday 1 April), we made a more detailed survey of the gravel roads to be used as special stages and found them all to be covered with significant patches of hard ice. Given the depth of the ice, especially on exposed, north-facing roads and under the trees, and the long-range weather forecast, it is unlikely to thaw before the event is due to start.

"Three of the four clerks of the course - who are responsible for the safe running of the rally and who drove through the stages today - unanimously decided that, for the safety of competitors, marshals, rescue and recovery crews and spectators, the event should be postponed."

"This was not an easy decision to make, but - based on what we experienced first-hand - it's the right one. We will now begin discussions with the championship organisers in an effort to find an alternative date for our event, which should have been the opening round of this year's British Rally Championship," added Witton.

Approaching 140 entries had been received for the rally and the organising team will be working into Monday night to advise everyone of the situation.

Daniel Mc Kenna the Billy Coleman Award Winner, All Set for the Bulldog Rally of North Wales

Posted: March 28, 2013 12:20 PM

All systems are go for Daniel and Co-Driver Arthur Kierans on their approach to the 1st round of the British Rally Championship (BRC), the Bulldog International Rally of North Wales. After a highly successful fundraiser over the past number of months to help Daniel and his team in their BRC endeavours and securing a number of new sponsors Daniel and his team find themselves in a very strong position for the opening round of this highly competitive championship.

Daniel will be at the wheel of the Ford Fiesta R2 with the hopes of securing a good haul of points for the championship opener and also doing what it takes to get nominated for the Pirelli Star Driver Shootout at the end of the season.

Daniel recently took to the wheel of his Ford Escort Mk 2 in the Midlands Stages rally with the 1st prize winner of his fundraiser raffle in the hot seat, Niall Morley from Co. Mayo. Unfortunately after a lot of pre-event preparations by both Daniel and Niall, the crew had to retire the car on SS1 after a front tension strut component failure. Luckily, they were able to scramble the car back to the service area, where the dedicated service team got it repaired in double quick time and they were then able to continue their day as 001 car for the motor club. They pair had a great day’s fun and it was a great end to the fundraiser that had spectacular support from around the country and beyond. Also in preparations for the BRC Daniel and Arthur competed in the Omagh Motor Club 5 Mile Town stages rally as an opportunity to get some seat time in the Fiesta R2 that they will be assaulting the championship in. Again misfortune hit the crew on SS2 with throttle sensor failure and they had to retire. Since that the car has been completely stripped and rebuilt for the beginning of the championship.

Daniel will commence a short gravel test in the freshly rebuilt Fiesta this weekend to ensure there are no problems with the car before the team makes its way to North Wales. There he will again test the car in the Sweet Lamb rally complex close to the rally headquarters in Welshpool next Thursday, the 4th of April, as a warm up for the event and to finalise a suitable suspension setup before the rally starts in anger on Saturday the 6th of April.

“It’s not too late to be a front runner,” say Mintex MSA Historic series organisers

Posted: March 26, 2013 11:54 AM

Organisers of the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship say that the chance of scoring a good result, or even winning the series outright is still up for grabs for any Historic crews who are thinking of registering. With just the first round completed, and with six rounds still to count from the seven remaining top-class rallies, there is significant scope for a crew to scoop the much valued and respected title of MSA British Historic Rally Champions.

“We have had a very encouraging start to the season, and more registrations are coming in as competitors realise what a well-organised, hassle-free championship this year’s Mintex MSA series is,” says BHRC Chairman, David Lucas. “If a crew were to register with us at the Rally North Wales, and score regularly on the remaining rounds, it is perfectly feasible that they could still emerge as overall winners. To be crowned official British Historic Rally Champion, as recognised by the sport’s governing body, the MSA, is a tremendous accolade for any driver and co-driver to have on their CV.”

Continuing the theme of front running, organisers have confirmed that registered crews in both the Mintex MSA BHRC and the new National ‘B’-level HRCR ‘old Stager’ Clubman’s Challenge will run ahead of the modern cars at the Welshpool- based event. This ensures they have the added advantage of competing while the stage surface is in the best possible condition.

Entries Received

Posted: March 21, 2013 11:42 AM

Available at:

• Rally North Wales

NEW-LOOK RALLY OF NORTH WALES WILL SAVE TIME & MONEY

Posted: March 8, 2013 1:37 PM

By moving to a weekend format, the opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship (MSA BRC) will save participants both time and money, while the later start on Saturday enables many volunteer officials to support the event without the cost of overnight accommodation.

The new format retains the high-quality Forestry Commission stages which have gained the event its international reputation and allows the inclusion of competitive driving in the dark on Saturday evening. The midday Finish on Sunday (for MSA BRC and Mintex MSA HRCR British Historic Rally Championship contenders) makes it possible for the majority of these competitors and volunteer officials to be back at work on Monday morning.

Reconnaissance for MSA BRC contenders begins at 10.00hrs on Friday 5 April, thereby making it possible for some to reduce their accommodation needs to a maximum of two nights.

Mainland participants in the National events (which qualify for the ANWCC Forest and Historic Championships, the Brian Dennis Welsh Historic Rally Championship, the Citroen Racing Trophy, the two Fiesta Championships, the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge, the "Old STAGER" Historic Challenge, the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship, the Twingo Renaultsport R1 and R2 Championships and the West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C Championship) can potentially compete with a maximum of one night's accommodation; those who live relatively local to the event can complete pre-event documentation and enjoy upwards of 53 miles of competitive driving all within one day (Saturday).

"Our aim has been to reduce the cost for competitors and volunteer officials without compromising the competitive elements or the safety of those doing or managing the rally," said Rally Manager, Kevin Witton.

Rally HQ and The MSA BRC Service Park are at the Welshpool Livestock Sales site, on the outskirts of Welshpool at Buttington Cross.

Both the one- and two-day rallies will begin with a Ceremonial Start in Welshpool Town Centre, the first at 11.30hrs on Saturday 6 April.

The one day events all return to Welshpool Town Centre for their Ceremonial Finish on Saturday evening. The first is at 18.35hrs.

There are two Ceremonial Finishes on Sunday 7 April: The Mintex MSA BHRC Championship event at 11.30hrs; The MSA BRC at 12.30hrs.

Rally Guide 1, Regulations, Entry Forms and outline spectator information can be downloaded from the official website.

Rally Guide Published / Entries Open

Posted: February 1, 2013 10:55 AM

Available at:

• Rally North Wales

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 23, 2013 11:26 AM

• Rally North Wales
• Wolverhampton & South Staffs Car Club (Bulldog Rally)