Brc 2017

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Having the Grand Depart of the TDF in Yorkshire was a game-changer. You cant blame anyone for going with the cycling as the up-and-coming sport after that.

They would've needed Rally GB to move to a Yorkshire-based event to have any chance of doing the same with rallying.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bogie is making a real fight of it in his Scottish homeland... now just 4.1s behind Ahlin after SS6 !!

[Martin Liddle]

Bogie is making a real fight of it in his Scottish homeland... now just 4.1s behind Ahlin after SS6 !!

and now a second ahead after SS7

[Martin Liddle]

and now a second ahead after SS7

and 1.4s behind after SS8; this should be an interesting battle over the last two stages.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great stuff... deserves the lead after todays performance.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wait.. Ahlin back in front !

[Martin Liddle]

Bogie back in the lead after SS9 by a whole 0.1s.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bogies back in the lead after SS9 by a whole 0.1s.

Wow ... and I thought the WRC Portugal times have been close !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Pryce holding off Cronin for 3rd with one to go...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DARr0ptXYAIEhjw.jpg:large

[Martin Liddle]

Reports coming in that Ahlin has gone off in last stage; OK board displayed.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Prestone MSA BRC‏ @MSA_BRC
Update on Ahlin - Stone scooped up into radiator, subsequently bursting it. The Swede is out.

That's a sickener for Freddie... :(

[dodge33cymru]

Wow, bad luck for Ahlin but arguably excellent for the championship overall! With the next round on tarmac, we'll see if Cronin can work his way back into the right too. Hope Cave doesn't call it a day but he's having no luck this year so far.

[er88]

Great win for Bogie, apart from the first stage on Friday night he was very fast. Did he have a problem in that stage or just got off to a slow start?

Tom Cave's speed has been really impressive in that Hyundai in the few stages he's been able to complete

[mousti]

All R5 BRC competitors will enter Ypres Rally

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONE E1003 met Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cave just confirmed Ypres with the i20. :)

[Simmi]

All R5 BRC competitors will enter Ypres Rally

I think we are just waiting on Rhys Yates and Matt Edwards for this to be confirmed. A lot of juniors entered too which is good.

[dodge33cymru]

Devine has an Opel on the entry list. Still waiting on Solberg and Cameron Davies, but good group anyway.


I'm assuming so, but are the two BRCs going to be split in the results? So fifth overall but second of the British contingent will give championship points for second place?

[mousti]

Devine has an Opel on the entry list. Still waiting on Solberg and Cameron Davies, but good group anyway.


I'm assuming so, but are the two BRCs going to be split in the results? So fifth overall but second of the British contingent will give championship points for second place?

Only Belgians and registered pilots for BRC can take points for our BRC. Will be same I think for MSA.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Early 2018 news !

Despite its cancellation this year, the Cambrian Rally is in the frame to become next year's @MSA_BRC opener.
https://t.co/917ScM2uhp https://t.co/Dt6nI8aXnd

[AndyRAC]

That's interesting news - is it a big enough event for the BRC? I only ask as the Mid Wales pulled the plug because they couldn't make it pay. Can the organisers of the Cambrian? And will it be a 1 day event?

Personally, I preferred the late October/ early November date that it used to run.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm no expert, but isnt the Cambrian the better-known event than the Mid-Wales ? Plus it's much closer to the likes of NW England which should surely attract more fans. The Mid-Wales has some classic stages but couldnt be much more remote from areas of population.

[N.O.T]

http://mullrally.org/category/news/

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

autism level.... british....

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[AndyRAC]

I'm not sure what you find so funny; a great event has had to be cancelled - and the time and efforts of volunteers. There's more to the sport than just the pinnacle of the WRC.

[N.O.T]

I'm not sure what you find so funny; a great event has had to be cancelled - and the time and efforts of volunteers. There's more to the sport than just the pinnacle of the WRC.

you should question why the only country in the world that has such problem is yours... you are a bunch of autistic kids that you cannot work an easy solution that every other country has... instead you go for bogey times... hayballs every 10 meters... and now cancellation of whole events....

funny ??? ITS HILARIOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AndyRAC]

I'm sure the organisers are finding it hilarious too...... :rolleyes:

[the sniper]

Can anybody explain what has happened here in more detail? Why would the new legislation have such an impact on the insurance of an event running under existing legislation?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cronin has been getting in some practice for Ypres..


Prestone MSA BRC‏ @MSA_BRC
@KeithC_Rally and @GalvinMikie look comfortable on the Belgian Tarmac
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCDLizGW0AQpG85.jpg:large

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCi_JcgWsAARjbW.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCjaGYKXUAAow5a.jpg

[Steve Boyd]

Nice to see pictures from Donegal - bit confused about them being on a BRC thread when it's an Irish Tarmac Championship event!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ählin fastest of the BRC drivers in Ypres qualifying. As I said previously, he is pretty quick on tarmac too...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ingram in his Network Q colours for Ypres:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DC7G5ETXsAAN6t7.jpg:large

Legend Jimmy McRae also here with their support:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDAAO4YXcAEVOx0.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Looks like the start of a nice battle between Ahlin and Cronin at the top of the Ypres BRC times... :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bogie out
https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19390963_1059117017556158_6358789650391762422_o.jp g?oh=f093eaf5923aeb374dfc27a2bb97499a&oe=59D3AC2A

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Not a good start for some... Greer and McCormack also out.

[the sniper]

Seems rather odd for Network Q to back Ingram to do this round of the BRC, with it being the only round outside of the UK, where the spectators can't buy a car from Network Q... Particularly ridiculous when you consider that Vauxhall/GM let their 'works' BRC team die for this season... I suppose it makes sense to somebody.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Overnight after 5 stages:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDBZiHBXUAEltzW.jpg

[AndyRAC]

I presume there is no radio coverage of this? As it is, Twitter is the best way of following it.....

[Fast Eddie WRC]

My bad, there are more stages tonight..

Ahlin & Cronin times level after SS6 !

Great battle.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Leader Ahlin has stopped !!

[gianni123]

Ypres rally Day 1 - Crash & hot moments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXKtQcZe5Y

[rallyfanbelgium]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPpEx8CCBFk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS9 Desi Henry had a spin and lost half a minute in Kemmelberg. Cave up to 2nd.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tom Cave stopped in SS11, promoting Henry back into 2nd of the MSABRC field.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Henry now rolls out of 2nd !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So Cronin finally cruised to a comfortable Ypres win. Pity so many others had accidents/problems and spoiled the battle.

But he was finally able to show both his speed and tarmac experience. Maybe he can make a late run at the BRC title now but I fear he has too much ground to make up.

Nice second place and some Top 10 times by Edwards was impressive. Pryce in third but was never really in the fight.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

MSA-BRC standings after Ypres:

1 Pryce 66
2 Ahlin 63
3 Cronin 49
4 Bogie 37

[gianni123]

Ypres Rally - 2017 (Crashes & Mistakes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYbeusPCj1M&sns=fb

[mousti]

Seems rather odd for Network Q to back Ingram to do this round of the BRC, with it being the only round outside of the UK, where the spectators can't buy a car from Network Q... Particularly ridiculous when you consider that Vauxhall/GM let their 'works' BRC team die for this season... I suppose it makes sense to somebody.

I've spoken with Ingram and this is something he worked on almost the whole year and is maybe a partnership for some WRC events aswell, probably Germany and Wales. And what I heard from him is that this Vauxhall team not so much officiall is and that the owner of the team that runs it not so thrustworthy is with money.. Adielsson has bad experiences with him it seems..

[the sniper]

I've spoken with Ingram and this is something he worked on almost the whole year and is maybe a partnership for some WRC events aswell, probably Germany and Wales. And what I heard from him is that this Vauxhall team not so much officiall is and that the owner of the team that runs it not so thrustworthy is with money.. Adielsson has bad experiences with him it seems..

Appreciate that, thanks for all the info!

[Giovanni D]

My pictures of a fantastic rally:

http://www.rallyandraces.com/2017/93-rally/11659-ypres-rally-gio

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wouldn't this be brilliant. It's only June and the rumour mill for 2018 has started 😎Could @KalleRovanpera be on his way to Britain? #BRC https://t.co/r9CmhthpbV

[Steve Boyd]

Wouldn't this be brilliant. It's only June and the rumour mill for 2018 has started ��Could @KalleRovanpera be on his way to Britain? #BRC https://t.co/r9CmhthpbV
He should be aiming for Rally Isle of Man this year. You can get a Manx driving licence at 16!

[OldF]

Wouldn't this be brilliant. It's only June and the rumour mill for 2018 has started Could @KalleRovanpera be on his way to Britain? #BRC https://t.co/r9CmhthpbV


There was a story in a Finnish newspaper (Helsingin Sanomat) about that. In fact the story was a whole page story about Kalle.

http://www.hs.fi/paivanlehti/22062017/art-2000005264502.html

“If the plans are progressing, Rovanperä will run the BRC next year with a Finnish license.”

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Could @KalleRovanpera be on his way to Britain? #BRC https://t.co/r9CmhthpbV

Link https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/news/rovanepera-targets-brc-campaign/

[mousti]

David Bogie and Desi Henry are absent at the NG stages.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

More on Ingram & Network Q:
https://www.msabrc.com/news/ingram-secures-network-q-backing-after-flying-the-flag-in-ypres/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rally Forum pre-NG Stages: https://www.facebook.com/135798096463261/videos/1456641664378891/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

McCormack Martin - Moynihan David
Car 3 has been penalised for failing to start SS1 when instructed.

Big dust problem so he wanted a longer time gap ??

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@RallyCaptures
So much dust and very little breeze to clear the hanging dust - very tricky for crews this morning! #NGStages17

[Fast Eddie WRC]

4/4 wins by Pryce on the first loop.

Åhlin 2nd o/a, Cronin with damage in 5th.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DENMhHQXgAEYNbV.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

8 NG Stages done - Pryce ends with lead of 19.3s over Åhlin.

Great 1st day for the BRC leader.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEOzQ_9VYAAxwUU.jpg:large

[AndyRAC]

Enjoyable days spectating; the dust seemed to hang around in the morning - but the afternoon was better as there was a stronger breeze.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://youtu.be/ClWGsJ4sVRg

Day 1 footage. BTRDA crews included hence the WRC Fiestas.

Good vid but what emphasises what a Fiesta-fest this rally is...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS11 win for Matt Edwards ! I've been impressed with him more and more lately.

[Simmi]

Anyone know what happened on SS14? Looks like basically everyone given the same time. BRC crew clearly struggling for info too in terms of social media.

[Martin Liddle]

Anyone know what happened on SS14? Looks like basically everyone given the same time. BRC crew clearly struggling for info too in terms of social media.
Car 203 hit a sheep and it pulled off an oil pipe which spread oil along the stage and the CoC decided the conditions were too dangerous and crews after the first two ran through non competitively and were given a notional time.

[Martin Liddle]

Looking like Pryce and Cronin stopped....
Yup. Both have submitted damage declarations with the retirement reason left blank.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Pryce out with a 'fuel issue' - real shame to have a mechanical problem but maybe related to this damage ?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DESaXkwXsAMRQPg.jpg

What happened to Cronin ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Times in... Ahlin wins by 47.5s from Edwards...

[Simmi]

Remind me guys is there a drop score in the BRC championship this year?

The field certainly thinned out significantly for this round. I think the tight turnaround with Ypres is something they'll try to look at next year.

[AndyRAC]

The trip to Ypres is a definite plus, but the quick turn around is probably not the best for a lot of potential entrants. Do you drop this event, which would be a shame as it's a mixed surface event?

I hate to be negative, but I think IMS need to up their game on the promotion side; I know they had some signage in and around Builth Wells, but they do need to do more. Whilst on the ranges yesterday, the phone signal wasn't brilliant - so keeping up with the event wasn't easy. At British Championship level, a 'Rally radio' type of coverage is badly needed.

[PLuto]

Ypres was true disaster for BRC - too many crashed cars...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Remind me guys is there a drop score in the BRC championship this year?

The field certainly thinned out significantly for this round. I think the tight turnaround with Ypres is something they'll try to look at next year.

Yes 6 scores count for Championship points and must include the final round.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I heard something like that on the highlights programme but I cant believe any of the driver's believed they were going to be superior in Ypres.

I certainly didnt expect them to beat the locals or the other's with more experience, like Bouffier and Neuville.

The number of crashes by BRC driver's showed they were pushing too hard to try to match those guys who were really in a different class.

[MrJan]

I hate to be negative, but I think IMS need to up their game on the promotion side; I know they had some signage in and around Builth Wells, but they do need to do more. Whilst on the ranges yesterday, the phone signal wasn't brilliant - so keeping up with the event wasn't easy. At British Championship level, a 'Rally radio' type of coverage is badly needed.

I can't remember the last time I was on Epynt with so few spectators either, it was almost like they hadn't promoted it locally. We walked into the last stage and weren't sure that we were even in the right place because there was genuinely no one else around.

We also made comment about rally radio, seems to be a dying tradition. Years ago it was quite common to have something for the whole event that you could tune into and listen to updates and driver interviews. Guess that the advertising isn't there to fund it any more.

Anyway. Another high attrition event on Epynt, Ahlin looked in a different class yesterday so not at all surprised that he took it after Pryce dropped out.

[Martin Liddle]

Yes 6 scores count for Championship points and must include the final round.

Where does the bit "and must include the final round" come from. I can't see it mentioned in the set of regulations in front of me but then I am only the person responsible for calculating the points.

[Martin Liddle]

Remind me guys is there a drop score in the BRC championship this year?

For most of the categories it is best 6 scores (out of 8). Two wheel drive and ladies is best 4 scores.

[Simmi]

For most of the categories it is best 6 scores (out of 8). Two wheel drive and ladies is best 4 scores.

Thanks Martin. Seven round championship though right? What's the eighth score?

[MrJan]

Thanks Martin. Seven round championship though right? What's the eighth score?

Mid-Wales I'd guess was included at the time the regs for the championship were set out. So in theory there's only one score to drop.

[Martin Liddle]

Thanks Martin. Seven round championship though right? What's the eighth score?
Rally Isle of Man is two scoring opportunities; first set of points for legs 1 and 2; second set of points for legs 3 and 4.

[Martin Liddle]

Mid-Wales I'd guess was included at the time the regs for the championship were set out. So in theory there's only one score to drop.
Wrong. Mid Wales was replaced by Border Counties (at very short notice). See post above for explanation of eighth round.

[MrJan]

Wrong. Mid Wales was replaced by Border Counties (at very short notice). See post above for explanation of eighth round.

Wasn't sure, hence why I wrote "I'd guess", but thanks for the blunt response anyway.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Where does the bit "and must include the final round" come from. I can't see it mentioned in the set of regulations in front of me but then I am only the person responsible for calculating the points.

From https://www.msabrc.com/competitors/

Championship Points
* Points will be awarded in each class as follows: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1
* The final round of the championship will be a double-header for points as the rally is split into two point scoring rounds.
* Competitors may nominate one event as their ‘joker’, on which they will score additional points: 5-4-3-2-1
* Six scores will count, including the final round of the championship.

[Martin Liddle]

From https://www.msabrc.com/competitors/

Championship Points
* Points will be awarded in each class as follows: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1
* The final round of the championship will be a double-header for points as the rally is split into two point scoring rounds.
* Competitors may nominate one event as their ‘joker’, on which they will score additional points: 5-4-3-2-1
* Six scores will count, including the final round of the championship.
But those are not the championship regulations which simply say (Art 5.2) "The British Rally Championship for Teams, Manufacturers, Drivers and Co-Drivers will be awarded to the entrant/competitors with the highest number of points from 6 out of 8 rounds.". I will bring the incorrect wording on the Championship web site to the attention of the Championship Manager.

[Martin Liddle]

I have now had confirmation from the BRC Championship Manager that the wording on the web site is incorrect. It will be corrected tomorrow. What is different about the final round, compared to last year, is that it is possible to score Joker points on either of the point scoring opportunities on Rally Isle of Man. Thanks to Fast Eddie WRC for pointing out the inconsistency.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Glad it's being cleared up. I thought it was a bit strange. But with the Manx being a 'double round' competitors will surely be attracted to this final event anyway.

Btw, bad news re the 2018 BRC... no Cambrian Rally.

https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/news/cambrian-wont-open-brc-after-dispute/

[Archie Gillaine]

Can't blame the BTRDA competitors; the running order issue is really hurting the sport, and needs to be addressed. We all understand why it was introduced, but it was a knee jerk reaction from the MSA.

[Martin Liddle]

the running order issue is really hurting the sport, and needs to be addressed. We all understand why it was introduced, but it was a knee jerk reaction from the MSA.
I agree with you an so do people with real influence. Bad news is that I am told that there is no chance of anything changing until the Scottish Inquiry into the Jim Clark/Snowman accidents has reported. The Inquiry is due to start on the Monday I believe.

[Martin Liddle]

The erroneous text about counting rounds in the Competitors section of the BRC web site has now been corrected see https://www.msabrc.com/competitors/

[Allyc85]

So the FIA want national championships to go R2 spec. I'm guessing they've forgotten how badly 2WD went with the BRC not long ago!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/130841/fia-planning-major-revamp-of-wrc-ladder

[Mirek]

Just when hundreds of R5/S2000 cars made the national championships worth watching again...

[MrJan]

The route to WRC is simple. You get a shedload of cash and get a WRC2 drive. Compete well for 5 seasons and you stand a chance of becoming a WRC driver....as long as you have more money.

[Mirek]

Most of current works drivers got there from national one make cups followed by JWRC/IRC and both Loeb and Ogier went to WRC directly from 2WD.

[Simmi]

I think it's so vague that it's really not worth worrying about yet.

It's another situation where Mahonen speaks to David Evans about a half-baked thought he's had before anything is really sorted out. This happens countless times a season these days. Nothing is confirmed or clarified and it just creates more confusion and worry than anything else. And often there's a smaller story months later about how that previously mentioned idea aint happening.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Watching the NG Stages highlights it was interesting seeing the gravel to tarmac spec. Hard work for the mechanics mid-rally.

Also showed how bad that dust really was on day one.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Watching Pryce's car let him down and Cronin going off on the same stage... big swing in the Championship in Åhlin's favour.

With those two losing points and Cave not there it has to be Åhlin's to lose now.

Unless Matt Edwards can have a mega result and play his Joker !

[MrJan]

A few Japanese drivers in Minis, does anyone know if they're full time over here or made a monumental trip for this event? Also seems Meirion will have a busy rally as shown entered twice! Guessing it's a typo and Mel will be in the Escort.

[Steve Boyd]

A few Japanese drivers in Minis, does anyone know if they're full time over here or made a monumental trip for this event?As Sal the 2nd says the Japanese Mini crews make an annual expedition to the Isle of Man. I believe one or two of them do have UK business connections but the cars are based in Japan as can be seen in the pictures on the event web site www.rally.im.


Also seems Meirion will have a busy rally as shown entered twice! Guessing it's a typo and Mel will be in the Escort.The entry forms are filled in on-line by the competitors. I think you'll find there are two of them!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Live radio coverage on the Ulster... :)

http://www.ulsterrally.com/news/2017/tune-in-for-live-ulster-rally-action/

[Simmi]

The big news today is that Wales Rally GB will become the final round of the championship next year. It will be a double points round. As a result of the extra cost they will drop down to six rallies, with the Scottish and Nicky Grist losing their calendar slots.

[dodge33cymru]

I like that I think, that's very much a push towards just keeping the bigger, more prestigious events and easily allowing those who can afford to to dovetail BRC with another championship.

Hopefully the competitors agree.

And more reason to head back to Ypres again.

[MrJan]

Shame to lose Nicky Grist, I enjoyed it as an event to attend and like the traditional idea of mixed surface. However the second day lacked a large entry and it was obviously a rally of high attrition. Also seemed to be pretty poorly attended by spectators, for some reason. Also as someone that lives in the South West it was the only event I could get to without a huge amount of time/hassle.

Personally I feel this is a bit of a backward step but time will tell.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

2018 Prestone MSA British Rally Championship calendar*

10/11 March – Border Counties Rally, Jedburgh, Scotland
28/29 April – Pirelli International Rally, Carlisle, England
29/30 June – Renties Ypres Rally, Ypres, Belgium
17/18 August – John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally, Derry/Londonderry, N. Ireland
13/14/15 September – 138.com Rally Isle of Man, Douglas, Isle of Man
October** – Dayinsure Wales Rally GB, Deeside, Wales

*Calendar subject to approval by the MSA
** Date to be confirmed by WRC Promoter & FIA World Motor Sport Council

[AndyRAC]

Live radio coverage on the Ulster... :)

http://www.ulsterrally.com/news/2017/tune-in-for-live-ulster-rally-action/

To be honest, every BRC round should have Live radio coverage; it's only 2017. Isn't that what Promoters are for?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ulster SS1 is underway and the rain starts right on cue... :rolleyes:

RallyFM.net‏ @RallyFM
SS1 Crews having to back off due to the heavy rain making seeing the road difficult ! :disturb:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great start by Ahlin, only beaten by Cronin but 15s ahead of Pryce and Edwards.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Impressive time by Pryce on SS2 but only a tenth ahead of Ahlin !

Ahlin must still be pushing.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Looks like Cronin vs Ahlin for the win here... and a really close battle so far, 1.5s gap after SS4 !

Edwards had some problem... only 27th on stage (+1:39.1) and now 11th o/a. :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Big drama in the ITRC - Alastair Fisher has retired on SS2. :( Big chance now for Sam Moffett to capitalise.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Spoke too soon, on SS4 Pryce takes 21.2s out of Aahlin. Pryce now second overall, 7.6s behind Cronin.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Less than a second between Cronin & Pryce at at end of Day One !

Missed the radio & finding it hard to get info... anyone know why Ahlin lost so much time ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Day 2 drier... battle continues.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHlLjmvWAAAdxTx.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

After SS9 Cronin's fastest time puts his o/a lead at 20s over Pryce. Could be decisive.

Ahlin just 0.1s behind Pryce !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No time from SS11 @UlsterRally for @OsianPryce & @Dale_Furniss Stopped in stage. Reason currently unknown... :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Stage 11 Cronin retains lead, Pryce retires with technical issues.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ahlin damaged the car at bit on SS10... I think he will happily take 2nd place now.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHlfzW3XYAEsfw9.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHlfxP7WsAE90NW.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cronin (M-Sport) takes the Ulster Rally win ahead of Ahlin.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHmgezwXYAE2SaC.jpg

The championship will go down to Rally Isle Of Man. :)

[Simmi]

Shame to see Pryce and McCormack DNS on the Manx. MN today saying Pryce has hit some budget problems and a few other unspecified issues for pulling the entry. Both guys technically had outside title chances with the double points on offer. Looks like Osian won't enter GB either now.

Anyone else not a fan of splitting up the legs for points? Cronin will have to put his joker down for a single leg of the rally. Just all seems a bit contrived.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/news/osian-pryce-out-of-brc-manx-showdown/

Shame but understandable.. and those car issues have been a real blow and no fault of his own.

Hope he has budget to come again next year.

[AndyRAC]

Anyone else not a fan of splitting up the legs for points? Cronin will have to put his joker down for a single leg of the rally. Just all seems a bit contrived.

Yes, but is the way of modern sport, and especially motorsport. Nascar have the Chase, BSB have a similar 'play off' type final rounds. I remember back in 2009 the Trackrod ran a double points final round decider between Cronin and Mark Higgins; even though it wasn't double the distance of the other rounds. Cronin won the event, but both drivers had the same results/ wins. Cronin won the BRC because of the 'double points' final round.

Saying that, back in 1997?? the Pirelli was split into 2 rounds.

[dupanton]

No Pieter Tsjoen on the Isle of Man, he has to withdraw due to a recce accident...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Getting closer ...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJNXDtSXgAQVRUr.jpg

[Munkvy]

No Pieter Tsjoen on the Isle of Man, he has to withdraw due to a recce accident...

That must have been a big accident...?

[dupanton]

That must have been a big accident...?

He broke a rib and his codriver his sternum (google translate English, I hope it's correct :p )

[Steve Boyd]

That must have been a big accident...?
A very big accident when the organisers speed limit on the recce is 30 mph (48 kph). Maybe that's what prompted the CofC to post an official warning about driving standards during the recce on the event notice board on Tuesday evening.

[Steve Boyd]

Live results for Rally Isle of Man available here (& now!):
http://results.djames.org.uk/results/?m=104

[dupanton]

A very big accident when the organisers speed limit on the recce is 30 mph (48 kph). Maybe that's what prompted the CofC to post an official warning about driving standards during the recce on the event notice board on Tuesday evening.

Maybe I spoke too soon, it's possible that it was even before recce, not completely clear

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What's been going on ... SS9 delayed and SS10 will be cancelled ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cronin clearly been pushing hard. Did this with an off on SS7.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJwn7qxXoAEEgkF.jpg:large

He's pulled a decent gap on the other two. Edwards impressing again but Ahlin looks like he's just staying on the safe side to ensure the points ...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Round 7 winners are Keith Cronin (M-Sport) on Rally Isle Of Man.

Matt Edwards with a fine second place.

Championship leaders Fredrik Aahlin and Torstein Eriksen take third on round one. The pair now need a second on the final round.

[Martin Liddle]

To help follow the battle over the final round (Legs 3 and 4 of Rally Isle of Man) a special classification of BRC competitors over Legs 3 and 4 only will be available at

Classification over Legs 3 and 4 only for BRC competitors http://tynecomp.info/rally/riom17/1/currentsub1.html

as soon as the first times are available for SS12 (which soon be soon as the cars re just starting to come out of the stage).

[Martin Liddle]

Keith Cronin and Matt Edwards are tied right down to the last tenth of a second on the BRC legs 3 and classification. It might mean that Cronin will have to push a bit harder to get the maximum points he needs to win the championship; if he were to be beaten by Edwards I think even if Ahlin doesn't finish he would end up tied on points and lose on the tie decider. We don't know if Ahlin has finished SS14. No time came in from the automatic timing system and unfortunately due to an extreme shortage of man power the next card collect isn't until after SS15.

[Martin Liddle]

I now understand that Ahlin did finish SS14. The event is currently running 84 minutes late but the first cars are now into SS15. Times that are missing on 14 should be available when the cars reach the Passage Control after SS15.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Thanks for the updates Martin.

Amazing how close the title battle looks going into the last day of the season !

[Martin Liddle]

Amazing how close the title battle looks going into the last day of the season !
It is only close for winning the Championship if Ahlin has a significant problem today but Matt Edwards is certainly going to keep Cronin honest. Given that Matt is in his first season in an R5 and with a limited budget, I have been highly impressed by his steadily improving pace as the season has progressed.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They seem to say different on twitter..

The @MSA_BRC overall and Junior titles will be decided today.
@KeithC_Rally holds the advantage:
@138BET
@RallyIsleOfMan https://t.co/EoTbDHL1eT

A mistake by @MSA_BRC leader Ahlin handed @KeithC_Rally the title initiative ahead of the final @RallyIsleOfMan leg https://t.co/uCz4uWk0Kd https://t.co/KIuqSLwNGx

[Martin Liddle]

They seem to say different on twitter..

My mistake. If Ahlin finishes 3rd on legs 3 and 4 he will score 15 points and increase his total by 7 points to 128. If Cronin wins legs 3 and 4 he will score 25 points plus 5 bonus points as he is playing his joker and the 30 points will be added to his total making 129. However if Matt Edwards beats Cronin on legs 3 and 4 (and the Cronin/Edwards battle has swapped places twice this morning) then the title goes to Ahlin.

[Martin Liddle]

Looks like Ahlin is upping his pace; taken 21.7s from Matt Edwards on SS19. He is 15.1s behind Edwards in the battle for leg 3 and 4 points with two stages to go. This could go down to the wire.

[Martin Liddle]

We think the leading competitors encountered cows in stage 20 and stopped (except for car 1); they then came out of the stage in convoy. Stage is not currently running. Awaiting decision from Rally Control.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Complicated end to the rally just got even more so ! :(

SS20 stopped after first car, @KeithC_Rally, came across two cows on the stage.
8 cars affected, cows now being moved into field.
@MSA_BRC

[Martin Liddle]

Stage 20 now cancelled.

[Martin Liddle]

Interesting climax to the championship: they are just starting the last stage and Keith Cronin has to take 10s out of Matt Edwards on last stage to win BRC or Ahlin has to take 26s out of Cronin to win the title; the stage is 13.1 miles so all sorts of possibilities.

[Simmi]

Tried for a few minutes to work out what is happening here in the battle. My head now hurts. Too complicated IMO.

[Martin Liddle]

Tried for a few minutes to work out what is happening here in the battle. My head now hurts. Too complicated IMO.
I think as things stand, Cronin takes BRC by a single point.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Has Cronin won it by 0.1s !!!???

[bf1_IRL]

YYYYYEEEEEEAAAAHHHHH G'wan Keith & Mikey!!!!!!!!

[Martin Liddle]

Has Cronin won it by 0.1s !!!???
As things stand yes Cronin has won Legs 3 and 4 of BRC by 0.1s and hence won the championship.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

As things stand yes Cronin has won Legs 3 and 4 of BRC by 0.1s and hence won the championship.

Just incredible.

Martin, it's a good job you had the times sorted. Well done !

[Martin Liddle]

BRC are saying "There is a query with Cronin's time from SS19. This will effect title fight. If Cronin wins he is champion. If Edwards wins Ahlin is Champion" Looking at the timing data Cronin's time looks OK to me but with only 0.1s in it anything is possible. Either way I don't think a stunning drive by Matt Edwards should be overlooked.

[Martin Liddle]

Martin, it's a good job you had the times sorted. Well done !
Not me doing the sorting out; your commendation should go to David James, Ted O'Day, John Findlayson, Fiona Moir and several other people who have all worked several very long days and nights.

[JUF]

Oh, no! I feel really sorry for Fredrik now. Keith deserves the title as well, but I hoped that this ends differently :(.

[Steve Boyd]

Not me doing the sorting out; your commendation should go to David James, Ted O'Day, John Findlayson, Fiona Moir and several other people who have all worked several very long days and nights.
And the rest of the team on the Island - Sue Fisher, Robin & Pauline Boyett, Bob Milloy, Anna McColl, Neil Moir, Monica Findlayson & John Tarrant who have been inputting data, colecting time cards & issung results updates to competitors.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Exciting conclusion to the season but scoring made way too complicated with two rounds, four legs, Jokers and times possibly given back.

Im happy for a Fiesta win over Skoda here in GB and Ahlin only has himself to blame for not tying it up.

[pantealex]

It´s probably good thing that MSport car did win it.

[Martin Liddle]

Exciting conclusion to the season but scoring made way too complicated with two rounds, four legs, Jokers and times possibly given back.

So propose a simpler way to do it but still give enough incentive for crews to enter a relatively expensive final round. Rally Isle of Man had 159 miles of stages compared to 60 miles on Round 1 so ahving some extra points on offer doesn't seem too unreasonable.

I wasn't a fan of last seasons Joker system where points were doubled. This year with a maximum of 5 Joker points on offer I think it adds a talking point to the Championship without unduly detracting from the sporting side.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So propose a simpler way to do it but still give enough incentive for crews to enter a relatively expensive final round. Rally Isle of Man had 159 miles of stages compared to 60 miles on Round 1 so ahving some extra points on offer doesn't seem too unreasonable.

I wasn't a fan of last seasons Joker system where points were doubled. This year with a maximum of 5 Joker points on offer I think it adds a talking point to the Championship without unduly detracting from the sporting side.

Its not wrong the way the Ch'ship was designed as such, and I guess its all good when the points are worked out.

It's just while the event is in progress that fans were trying to see who was going to win as the points were tricky to work out as it went along.

[tommeke_B]

Wow I'd heard there had been a few issues on the Manx last week but reading todays MN it looks like it may have signed its own death warrant BRC wise. Hope things can get resolved because its an amazing place to rally.

What happened??

[the sniper]

Are there things that haven't been mentioned here already? After last year's incident with the zero car, the Manx could have done with a smooth running weekend...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/news/brc-could-drop-manx-finale-after-issues/

https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/columns/where-rally-isle-of-man-fell-down/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Fantastic news for Matt Edwards ! Well deserved. :)

The BRC frontrunner has secured a factory deal with M-Sport to compete in WRC2 on Wales Rally GB.

https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/news/rallying-news/wrc/brc-star-edwards-gets-factory-rally-gb-drive/ …

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Decent SD for Edwards for Rally GB... in amongst them, between Cave & Bogie, ahead of Greensmith, Wilson & Yates.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DNEQhbqW4AA7Aaz.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good job by Tom Cave getting a WRC2 podium on Rally GB.

[pantealex]

Good job by Tom Cave getting a WRC2 podium on Rally GB.

He did same with Hyundai in Finland. Best result with i20 ever.
Wales had much better entry list tough, so hard to compare results but he wasn´t fastest FiestaR5.