Rally GB - 12-15 Nov 15

#irishcorner 2015

Posted: November 3, 2015 7:45 AM

#irishcorner 2015!
The day will be Saturday (November 14th), the stage will once again be Dyfnant, the car park is Car Park J.
The first run through the stage will be at 11.53 and then the national cars will start their run through the stage at 13.53. And at 18.25, just as darkness starts to close in, the international crews come through for their second pass!

Twitter: @irishcornerwrc
Facebook: The Irish Corner

MEEKE AIMS TO EMULATE HIS HERO MCRAE

Posted: October 28, 2015 8:18 AM

Earlier this season Kris Meeke became the first British driver to win a round of the FIA World Rally Championship since his mentor, Colin McRae, won the Safari Rally back in 2002.

As well as winning in Argentina (bottom below) the Citro?n Total Abu Dhabi WRT team driver also has consistently taken the fight to the all-conquering Volkswagen Motorsport outfit on many other events during the 2015 campaign.

Now the 36-year-old from Dungannon in Northern Ireland is setting his sights on more success on home ground: Wales Rally GB (12-15 November). Meeke came close to finishing on the podium 12 months ago (top and middle left below) and says it would be even more special to post a great result in 2015 on the 20th anniversary of McRae winning the event in 1995 to become Britain's first-ever World Rally Champion.

How much does it mean to you to compete at home in the World Rally Championship?
"A huge amount. It's brilliant. It's incredible to come to this event as a works driver. I got my first chance to do that in 2011, when I was driving for Mini. I came really close to a podium, but felt then that it was very, very special to be driving down these roads in one of the best World Rally Cars around.
My home is Northern Ireland and ? for now ? there's no WRC round in my backyard, but Wales really does feel like home with all the support we get."

What makes it special?
"It is the support you get. Loads of folk come over from Ireland and I'm lucky enough to have a few people out cheering me on in Wales from the mainland UK. Seeing those flags waving and hearing the crowds on the road section make it special and, of course, the roads. I love these roads ? they're definitely some of the best in the world. But it's not just the roads, it's everything that goes with them: the smell of the mud on the exhaust, the sight of the mist hanging over the hills in the morning ? it's a beautiful place to be, and the only place to be for a rally fan in November."

Do you get a lift from the crowd at home?
"You do. It's a massive buzz and you really feel that energy coming from the crowd inside the car."

What do you think it's worth? Could you say it gives you an extra 10 brake horsepower?
"It's not worth 10, but it gives you that extra bit of focus and determination. Some would say I don't necessarily need that, but any sportsman will tell you driving or playing in front of your home crowd creates a very special atmosphere that you can feed off. There's an electricity on this event that's just not there on other rallies. You go to somewhere like Australia and there are five people standing around the service park and a handful in the stage, it's just not the same."

There were a few folk in Argentina watching you this year ? that was a good event?
"Aye, it was. To get that first world championship win was really special for me, for Paul [Nagle, co-driver] and for the whole Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team. It was a fantastic result and now we're hungry for more of them."

Could we see you taking a second win of the season in Wales?
"I would absolutely love to, of course I would. But we have to be realistic: I want to try to get on the podium. We know where we are and a podium would be a realistic target. To try and win it against these Volkswagen boys would be almost impossible, something would have to happen to them."

It was looking good last year?
"We were running second, but then got caught out in the Brenig stage on the final morning. There's a wee bit of unfinished business there... "

This rally will always have some very special memories of Colin McRae and never more so than this season ? 20 years on from his world championship. What do you remember from 1995?
"I would have been 14 or 15 or something. I wasn't on the event, but I was running home from school to find out what was going on. I remember it so well, it was incredible to see what Colin did."

Did you think you'd be driving a factory car on your home round of the WRC 20 years on? "I have to say no. When we were in Spain on the last round, we drove up a road to one of the stages on the final day and I had a real flash back to 17 years ago, when I was walking up exactly that same road as a fan to watch Colin fighting with Richard Burns. And there I was driving a works Citroen up to the start of the stage 17 years on. It's incredible."

You knew Colin better than most ? he was a special guy?
"He was. He really was. Everything's been said in the past, but you know everybody took a step back when Colin was coming through ? you knew it was going to be on the door handles and very, very spectacular. Colin's style and commitment defined an era in the World Rally Championship and it's right that we take a moment and remember what he did for the sport and for British rallying 20 years on."

Fans wanting to see Meeke and the other WRC top guns in action in the legendary Welsh forests can take advantage of advance ticket prices that represent the cheapest way to see the action.

The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday's pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at STG99 for adults (or just STG1 for accompanied children aged 9-15) and comes with a hard card pass and lanyard, plus an event programme valued at STG9.

Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but just for an individual day of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance for just STG25 ? entry to a Single Stage on the day will cost STG30.

Tickets for Saturday's family-friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle are available now for STG25 with an even greater discount being offered to families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.

For further updates, follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @WalesRallyGB or join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb using #WRGB.

Entry List

Posted: October 28, 2015 8:12 AM

Rally GB - 12-15 Nov 15 - ENTRY LIST

RECORD ENTRY FOR SELL-OUT WALES RALLY GB

Posted: October 22, 2015 7:36 AM

Next month's Wales Rally GB (12-15 November) will feature a full capacity field after organiser, International Motor Sports, confirmed it had received a record number of entries from right around the globe.

Entries for the International rally closed last week with no fewer than 78 cars representing 22 nations lining up to face the 19 challenging special stages in the legendary Welsh forests. It's the largest number of International entries received in recent years and underlines the event's escalating esteem since its successful move to a new base in north Wales in 2013.

The impressive International field, including 50 Priority drivers, will be complemented by 85 crews contesting the Network Q WRGB National Rally, providing amateurs with the chance to tackle the same timed sections alongside their WRC counterparts. Such is the National Rally's popularity that entries were sold out within hours of opening and many hopefuls are still waiting on a reserve list.

"This is great news on every level and a further endorsement of the event's spiraling popularity," enthused Ben Taylor, Managing Director of Wales Rally GB. "Our ambition is to create a fantastic sporting spectacle and a fitting finale to the FIA World Rally Championship ? to have this star-studded, full-capacity entry is a major component in achieving those two goals. It's superb for the fans who will be treated to some truly memorable top class action... and, who knows, perhaps even the added excitement of a British winner!"

Deputy Minister for Culture Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, added: "I'm delighted that this year's rally has reached a record number of entries, it bodes well for an exciting event next month. Wales Rally GB has developed a strong profile on the World Rally Championship calendar, demonstrating Wales' ability to deliver a wide range of major events. It's a world-class event that hits the headlines time and again for the very best reasons, and it looks like this year will be even bigger and better than ever."

Leading the International entries is Volkswagen Motorsport's newly-crowned 2015 World Rally Champion S?bastien Ogier seeking a hat-trick of famous Wales Rally GB victories. The Frenchman's VW Polo WRC team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala is the only other previous winner in the packed field.

Those looking to add their name to the coveted gold Peall Trophy include two top home hopes: Elfyn Evans, lines up for the Cumbrian-based M-Sport World Rally Team while Kris Meeke represents Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT. Evans recently scored his best-ever result with a breakthrough second place in Corsica; Meeke went one better earlier in the campaign when becoming the first British driver to win a WRC round since Colin McRae in 2002 with victory in Argentina.

Hyundai Motorsport's impressive four-car attack also includes some local talent with Englishman Seb Marshall co-driving for young Dutch star Kevin Abbring.

There's plenty of additional British interest, too. Seven time Rally America champion David Higgins makes a welcome return to these shores in one of the latest Subaru WRX Sti machines. The Powys-based Manxman will be up against double Scottish champion David Bogie, promising Welshman Tom Cave ? both in Ford Fiesta R5s ? and Irishman Craig Breen (Peugeot T16 R5) plus a pair of pacy factory-entered Skodas in the super-competitive RC2 category.

The leading two-wheel-drive RC3 class features two of the UK's hottest prospects with Osian Pryce and Chris Ingram lining up in a pair of Citroen DS3s. However they will face stiff opposition from Quentin Gilbert, the Frenchman who has already been crowned as the 2015 FIA Junior WRC Champion.

Other notable International entries include ex-F1 star Robert Kubica (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) and Henning Solberg (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) whose younger brother Petter is a four-time Wales Rally GB winner and this year's official Rally Legend.

The Network Q WRGB National Rally has its own stars. Jimmy McRae ensures that Britain's most famous rallying family is on the entry list 20 years after son Colin was crowned as Britain's first ever FIA World Rally Champion. The evergreen five-time British Rally Champion is turning back the clock behind the wheel of a glorious sounding V8 Vauxhall Firenza Can-Am. Another standout is Scotsman Mike Faulkner who won last year's WRGB National and is back to defend his title in his Mitsubishi Evo 9.

And it's not only entries that are selling fast ? advance ticket sales are also at record levels as fans take of advantage of the advance ticket prices on offer.

The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday's pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at ?99 for adults (or just ?1 for accompanied children aged 9-15) and comes with a hard card pass and lanyard, plus an event programme valued at ?9.

Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but just for an individual day of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance for just ?25 ? entry to a Single Stage on the day will cost ?30.

Tickets for Saturday's family-friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle are available now for ?25 with an even greater discount being offered to families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.

ROAD TO WALES FILLED WITH WINNERS

Posted: October 22, 2015 6:10 AM

This year's battles on the highly praised 'Road to Wales' initiative have all now been settled with eight worthy winners now gearing up to pit their skills against the world's finest on next month's eagerly-anticipated Wales Rally GB (12-15 November).

Introduced in 2013, the Road to Wales programme rewards Britain's best rallying talent with free entries into the UK's concluding round of the FIA World Rally Championship, providing them with an amazing opportunity to compete on the sport's premier stage against its elite drivers.

The winners of the UK's national championships in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland are all rewarded with free entries into the massively over-subscribed WRGB Network Q National Rally.

And with the MSA British Rally Championship taking a sabbatical in preparation for an exciting relaunch in 2016, the remaining Road to Wales places were offered to the individual rallies that featured on the 2014 BRC calendar. The organisers of these events were permitted to set up their own selection criteria and, with the events now completed, all the places have now been allocated.

Seven of the winners will contest the Network Q WRGB National Rally while, Robert Duggan and co-driver Ger Conway, as the Carryduff Forklift Road to Wales champions in Northern Ireland, have been rewarded with an even bigger prize ? an all-expenses paid entry into the International event in a fully-funded Citroen DS3 prepared by David Greer Motorsport.

2015 ROAD TO WALES WINNERS

Championships

MSA English Rally Championship: Prize not taken
ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship: Jock Armstrong
Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship: Bob Ceen
MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship: Robert Duggan
REIS?RAVENOL BTRDA Rally Series: Prize not taken

Rally North Wales: Clive King
Pirelli Carlisle Rally: Ben Friend
Jim Clark Rally: Thomas Gray
RSAC Scottish Rally: Caroline Carslaw
Ulster Rally: Callum Devine
Rally Isle of Man: Prize not taken

NETWORK Q NAMED HEADLINE SPONSOR OF THIS YEAR'S WRGB NATIONAL RALLY

Posted: August 15, 2015 5:05 PM

One of the most iconic names in the history of UK rallying will return to the sport this year, as Network Q is announced as the headline partner of the Wales Rally GB (WRGB) National Rally in November.

Network Q was the title sponsor of Britain's round of the FIA World Rally Championship for ten years between 1993 and 2002. To celebrate the company's 25th anniversary, Network Q is renewing its iconic partnership with the event by becoming headline sponsor of the prestigious WRGB National Rally.

During this year's rally, Network Q will hold celebrations at the Deeside service area to mark the occasion with fans and customers of the brand. Network Q will also provide a fleet of 80 branded support vehicles for use by the organising team and officials at the event.

Derek Wilson, Network Q operations director, commented:
"Rally GB has played a significant part in our history and we are very pleased that the WRGB National Rally can play a part in our 25th anniversary celebrations. Sponsorship of the WRGB National Rally offers us a chance to support the amateur competitors who are the backbone of the sport in the UK."

As announced recently, the route for the Network Q WRGB National Rally will shadow the WRC itinerary, giving a large number of enthusiastic amateur crews a fantastic opportunity to compete on the same bill as the World Championship contenders. This is a flagship event in the rally calendar.

"Network Q is a brand that has such a strong historic bond with rallying in this country and we are delighted to welcome them back," said Ben Taylor, managing director of Wales Rally GB. "Their return is sure to rekindle lots of great memories among both fans and drivers and the Network Q WRGB National Rally will provide the perfect platform to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary."

The sponsorship of the rally played an important part in Network Q's history as the brand was associated with an outstanding era that produced stirring wins for legends such as Colin McRae (below top right), Richard Burns (below top left), Juha Kankkunen, Marcus Gronholm and Petter Solberg (above and below bottom right).

Last year's National Rally was a complete sell-out, attracting a capacity entry and organisers are expecting this year's Network Q-backed event to be similarly oversubscribed when entries, which will be priced at Stg999 (Stg832.50 + VAT), open on 10 September. With support from Network Q, the event activities will be bigger than ever - providing exciting experiences throughout the weekend, competitions for 'meet and greets' with Rally Legends and so much more.

While access to the Service Park in Deeside will again be free of charge, a full range of tickets for the competitive special stages went on sale recently offering considerable savings for those booking in advance. The latest event and ticket information is available on the official WalesRallyGB.com website.

For further updates follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @walesrallygb or join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb.

ROAD TO WALES ANNOUNCED FOR 2015

Posted: February 20, 2015 6:42 PM

The organisers of Wales Rally GB are delighted to confirm the continuation of the widely praised Road to Wales scheme for 2015.

Introduced in 2013, the programme rewards Britain’s best rallying talent with free entries into the season-ending Wales Rally GB (12-15 November), providing them with an amazing opportunity to compete against the sport’s elite on the world stage.

The Road to Wales prize roster offered no fewer than 11 free entries into last year’s over-subscribed Wales Rally GB. Six of these were awarded to front-runners from various classes in the 2014 MSA British Rally Championship, the remaining five to the winners of the UK’s five premier national rally championships.

With the BRC taking a brief sabbatical in 2015, those entries have now been transferred to six of the individual rounds that featured on the 2014 BRC calendar:
Pirelli Carlisle Rally; Rally North Wales; Rally Isle of Man; RSAC Scottish Rally; Ulster Rally and Jim Clark Rally. Organisers of these events have set up their own selection criteria for the allocation of the Road to Wales prizes.

As last year the respective champions of the
MSA English Rally Championship, ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship, Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship and the REIS – RAVENOL BTRDA Rally Series will be offered free entries into the WRGB National Rally.
In the MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship, the no-cost entry will be part of a bigger honour that will see one promising young driver receiving a free prize drive on Wales Rally GB in a Citroen DS3 provided by David Greer Motorsport.

“The Road to Wales has proved to be a huge success and we had no hesitation in continuing the initiative in 2015,” said Ben Taylor, Managing Director of Wales Rally GB. “Wales Rally GB needs to be not only the climax of the WRC but also a fantastic end-of-season festival to celebrate the very best of British rallying and the Road to Wales makes sure that some of this country’s best will be on the stages in November.”

Among those benefiting in 2014 were young Welsh rally star Osian Pryce who furthered his credentials by finishing 18th overall and first non-priority driver, Scottish champion Euan Thorburn and BTRDA champion Steve Perez who entered his crowd-pleasing Lancia Stratos.

“It’s a great opportunity,” confirmed Pryce, 21, who will be stepping up to the Junior World Rally Championship in 2015. “To compete on a WRC event on home soil is a real honour and gaining crucial experience on a world championship event has provided me with a stepping stone towards progressing my career. Not having to pay for my event entry meant I could focus my budget on other areas such as moving up to an R5 category car. There aren’t many prizes in rallying and the Road to Wales award is something I just had to take up.”

All the latest news on the Road to Wales – as well as confirmation of prize winners – is available on the www.walesrallygb.com website and via the event’s official social media channels.

Full details of the 2015 route will be published later in the year with ticket details announced at the same time.

Website / Details

Posted: February 20, 2015 6:41 PM

• Rally GB