Brc 2021

[Fast Eddie WRC]

2021 British Rally Championship calendar:

April 2/3 Circuit of Ireland
April 24/25 Tendring & Clacton Rally
May 29/30 Jim Clark Rally
July 10 Nicky Grist Stages
August 14 Grampian Forest Stages
September 24/25 Trackrod Rally Yorkshire
October 30 Cambrian Rally

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/2021-british-rally-championship-calendar-announced/

[the sniper]

Makes the most of what we've got and 2021 isn't a year for great innovation/revolution/investment, with all the uncertainty around. So a good calendar under the circumstances. In normal times I'd say there are too many rounds, but I'll be surprised if the Circuit goes ahead. Tendring & Clacton Rally in April is surely at risk too. While everyone rightly has a grievance with the forest authorities, I think those who put such so much faith in a tarmac public road future might see the downsides here. If the Councils aren't game, you've lost the rally.

[AndyRAC]

While everyone rightly has a grievance with the forest authorities, I think those who put such so much faith in a tarmac public road future might see the downsides here. If the Councils aren't game, you've lost the rally.

You're not the only one thinking that. There's a massive assumption that losing more forest access will be offset somewhat by an increase in Tarmac 'closed road' events. Really? I wouldn't be so sure - the country is full of NIMBYs, there's no guarantee any event will get the go ahead from any council. We've left it far too late - it should have been done 15 - 20+ years ago when the sport had more of a following generally.

[the sniper]

There's actually already some route information on the BRC site for some of the rallies:


Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally

STAGES MILES:
71 competitive stage miles [114km]

Rally Info
The Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally returns as a BRC counter in 2021 in its full closed roads Friday night and Saturday format.
The organisers have extended the territory covered by the rally by adding new stages to challenge competitors so please put it in your diary now to avoid disappointment!
Rally highlights:
• The whole route and stages are on public roads – all tarmac in good condition.
• Reconnaissance runs on Sunday 22nd (preferred) and Friday 28th May (one reconnaissance only per competitor).
• Shakedown 3 miles stage on Friday 28th from 10.00 until 14.00. As many runs as you like for £130.
• Two Friday night stages, one in the dark. Half of this stage has never been used before and the other half is an old Reivers favourite.
• A virgin 8 mile stage on the Saturday.
• All stages run twice apart from one.
• 10.00 am start on Saturday morning.
• Central service visited twice on Saturday.



Nicky Grist Stages

STAGES MILES: 45 [72km]

Rally Info
With the enthusiastic support of former World Championship Codriver Nicky Grist the event is using the classic stages in Crychan Forest and the Eypnt Military Ranges we have planned a 45 mile rally bringing you some of the classic WRC stages of Halfway and Crychan but also a new favourite of the events Llyn Login and its now infamous jump. We have a circular route of 4 stages run twice with a mid-event service halt in the Centre of Builth Wells.


Grampian Forest Stages

The forests of Fetteresso, Durris and Drumtochty provide the competitive route of 44 miles [70km] along with an extremely compact liason route.The stages will include roads which have gained reputation for quality and enjoyment – smooth fast and flowing with character of their own. A bit like a good malt whisky.


Trackrod Rally Yorkshire

STAGES MILES:
57 [92km]

Rally Info
The vast majority of stages are single use of the fabulous Yorkshire Forests including Dalby and Langdale. Fast flowing stages kept in really good condition especially as there is currently very little use.

Friday evening includes 12 miles in the darkness of Dalby – what a treat!! No double use of stages for 45 miles of superb competition on Saturday during the day.

Sensible start time, ceremonial start on the cliffs overlooking the Yorkshire coast on Friday evening. Add a relaxed recce schedule, centralised service and a very compact route and we plan to provide a challenging event over classic stages. With the now traditional “fine weather” we look forward to welcoming you to our event. Keep an eye on our web page – rallyyorkshire.co.uk

Trackrod looks like being the best of the gravel rounds. I just really wish every round could be around 115km, at least.

[AndyRAC]

The Nicky Grist Stages is a good event, with good stages and fits well for the BTRDA, as opposed to the BRC.
One hopes the Trackrod make it easy to view more than one stage on the Saturday; previously with single stage usage, it's normally a choice of either Cropton or Dalby to spectate on as they are pretty close in timings.

[the sniper]

The Nicky Grist Stages is a good event, with good stages and fits well for the BTRDA, as opposed to the BRC.
One hopes the Trackrod make it easy to view more than one stage on the Saturday; previously with single stage usage, it's normally a choice of either Cropton or Dalby to spectate on as they are pretty close in timings.

Yeah, I went to the Nicky Grist in 2016 and '17 IIRC. Nice rally and great stages, rather descoped as an event now though. I'm sure I'll go next year, if possible. I hope to attend the last four or five rounds. Here's hoping the entries are at least as good as 2020 was promising to provide, but I don't know if that will be possible under the current circumstances.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great interview with Matt Edwards on his career:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5JjaXDkop8oVjM0EnTPDnO?si=Y4I8BaVJRrSrybwJ3SqCPQ

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No mention of Rhys Yates for M-Sport in WRC2 so far. Maybe he will do ERC or even a BRC season.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

2021 Jim Clark Rally cancelled:

https://asphaltrallying.com/2021/01/17/jim-clark-rally-cancelled/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

April 2/3 Circuit of Ireland now cancelled too. :(

[HKSjbg]

Not a surprise at all. It’s probably only a matter of time before the Corbeau Rally gets cancelled too. Is there space in the schedule to squeeze the Ulster back in?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Not a surprise at all. It’s probably only a matter of time before the Corbeau Rally gets cancelled too. Is there space in the schedule to squeeze the Ulster back in?

Yep its gone now too.

The search for alternatives is on for later in the year.

[HKSjbg]

Malton Forest Rally and Grizedale Stages might go ahead, anything earlier in the year than that is wishful thinking ��

[AndyRAC]

So 3 rounds have gone; do/can they find alternatives, later in the year? Then there is the problem of getting events, and a pile up of events later in the year. All assuming the forests are available for use. Might be better to already plan for 2022.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

New calendar coming tomorrow...

[HKSjbg]

I doubt it’ll be anything more than just confirming Mull takes its place in the calendar as it was the reserve event

[prpr]

Ulster Rally in November added to calendar. https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/new-look-to-2021-british-rally-championship-calendar/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

2021 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship Calendar:

Round 1 – Nicky Grist Stages, Builth Wells – 10 July
Round 2 – Grampian Forest Stages, Banchory – 14 August
Round 3 – Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, Scarborough – 24/25 September
Round 4 – Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally, Isle of Mull – 8-10 October
Round 5 – Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally, Llandudno – 30 October
Round 6 – Today’s Ulster Rally, Newry – 20 November

[the sniper]

Isle of Man is said to be too expensive for competitors, but Mull isn't...? I can't imagine many places more awkward to spectate than there, but I know it's a well regarded rally. Though IIRC, substantially different in character, some say watered down, as of this year.

Nice choice of gravel rounds. Ulster in November will be interesting/wet!

[MartijnS]

Just curious, why awkward? :D

[Mirek]

Mull may be a remote, foggy and rainy place but for me when it comes to asphalt rallying you can't find anything better than this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldCX04wk7sc

[the sniper]

Just curious, why awkward? :D

Not awkward in an embarrassing way, if that's what you thought I meant! :D As an island off the coast of the Scottish Highlands, the population is very small, there isn't much infrastructure and you have to get there by ferry. It's about as remote as you can get in the UK!

I've heard good things about it though, it's been very popular with competitors and spectators, though I think the majority of the latter are locals. The scenery is amazing and roads are like Ireland, but narrower with many blind crests/jumps.

This is well worth watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aibcWP-hatw

[AndyRAC]

It's well worth a trip to Mull; the scenery, the rally, and if possible the distillery.....

[Paul Hudson]

Whilst the Locals are great supporters of the event, i would say the vast majority of spectators are visitors to the island, it has always been a well supported event on a very scenic island, most competitors treat it as a bit of a holiday taking family and friends who all spectate and enjoy the island, a lot will be on the island for over a week, and to get anywhere you generally have to drive over the stages. Accommodation is always difficult with most places boked up the year before at least, but if you dig about you can generally find something.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

BRC Webinar replay:
https://youtu.be/a-QvmAe8vCw

Summary-
No 2021 TV deal
Online & Social Media coverage only
5/6 events to score
No further reserve events
2021 UK-based events due to Covid & Brexit

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Oulton Park event now to open the season !

https://www.motorsportuk.org/oulton-park-to-host-british-rally-championship-opener/

[AndyRAC]

That's quite a move - a shame they couldn't make it a 2 dayer, but it still should be a decent event; will spectators be allowed by then?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

but will spectators be allowed by then?

Should do as they were talking about allowing some fans in PL football games at the end of the season in May. It being all outdoors, and easy to plan where people stand being a circuit, I dont see why not.

[the sniper]

Various things I find odd. We can't have multiday events because of the additional costs for competitors, but there seems to be no problem with just adding extra one day events to the calendar, which is presumably an extra two days with them needing to be there on the Friday...? Also odd that this didn't come up on the Webinar last week. I can only assume they don't think they're going to get in all the other rounds.

I suppose it doesn't really matter by this point, but a one day single venue, somebody's name Stages sponsored by another person's name, hardly stands out as a prestigious event... I'd like to think this is only a Covid era thing. Though to be fair, there's much you could do with the one day single venue concept, if British rallying wasn't commercially moribund.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It is strange to suddenly appear but it may be so they can get a round of the BRC in asap in case others are lost down the line.

Rally Monza in the WRC may also have set a kind of precedent...

[Simmi]

I think it makes a lot of sense. The NH Stages had a great entry (including a fair few BRC regulars) before it got postponed. I think entrants are gagging to enter any kind of event - and from a PR perspective they can say they are being innovative. It can be a glorified shakedown for many.

Maybe it's planting a few seeds for a 2023 WRC event around Silverstone * vomits *

[AndyRAC]

I think it makes a lot of sense. The NH Stages had a great entry (including a fair few BRC regulars) before it got postponed. I think entrants are gagging to enter any kind of event - and from a PR perspective they can say they are being innovative. It can be a glorified shakedown for many.

Maybe it's planting a few seeds for a 2023 WRC event around Silverstone * vomits *

Well, Silverstone already has F1 & MotoGP, why not the UK round of the WRC?? And I'm being half serious.....(it wouldn't be the biggest surprise).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

ICYMI - it's now 5 from 7 Rounds to count.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Matt Edwards @MERallysport
Replying to
@TonySimpson74

1/2 I dont think the question is how fitting or otherwise the event is for BRC. We need to get rallying going in some form asap. In the current dire situation there are not an abundance of events to go and do so we need to make the most of it for now.

2/2 I find the thought of another 6 months doing nothing and watching the sport drift further away far less appealing than doing an event at a race track. Can we just be positive about a rally happening?

[Whinlatter]

That's quite a move - a shame they couldn't make it a 2 dayer, but it still should be a decent event; will spectators be allowed by then?
Non-elite events at Oulton Park are allowing spectators from 17th April, so in theory this should be no different - but does the addition of the BRC push it into the elite category?

If it doesn't, then I'd expect spectator capacity to be capped at 4000 as per Government Step 3 guidelines. For the BTCC round at Snetterton in June, season pass holders have been asked to indicate if they'll be attending so that MSV know how many tickets they can put on general sale. This may be sufficiently popular that they take the same approach.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Matt Edwards E-Sports livery reveal:

https://www.yuasa.co.uk/2021/03/unique-e-sports-competition-launch-for-yuasas-real-life-matt-edwards-british-rally-livery/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Omologato® @OmologatoOro

We’re absolutely delighted to announce that we’re continuing our association with @OsianPryce in 2021.

Last year slowed us down, we’re now ready to start running ! #TeamOmologato

https://twitter.com/OmologatoOro/status/1385611263967993861?s=20

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rugby star backs Welsh BRC round:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/56844390.amp

[HKSjbg]

“The second leg of the British Championships”

“Former British Rally Champion Damian Cole...”

It’s quite funny reading rally stories written/edited by someone who clearly knows nothing about the subject

[Steve Boyd]

It’s quite funny reading rally stories written/edited by someone who clearly knows nothing about the subject

Almost every time I've ever read a story (not just about rallying) about that I know something about it's been very clear that the person writing the story hadn't got a clue. Bit worrying and makes you wonder how wrong the things you don't know about are!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

“The second leg of the British Championships”

“Former British Rally Champion Damian Cole...”

It’s quite funny reading rally stories written/edited by someone who clearly knows nothing about the subject

Hardly big errors.

[HKSjbg]

Well, the first one is just strange wording arising from the confusion over the meanings of ‘leg’, ‘stage’, ‘round’ etc. in the context of rallying. And I suppose Damian Cole is a former champion in the discipline of rallying and in a British championship...

Just made me chuckle is all.

If I were writing an article on football for example I’d at least ask someone to fact check me, even though I’m pretty sure The Arsenal still play at Highbury, Manchester Rovers are still managed by Alec Ferguson and Nottingham Forest are still the team to beat... But you never know, I might have got some of those wrong :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

These days I'm just grateful to get any kind of coverage of rallying in the UK national media.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rhys Yates will make a return to the British Rally Championship in 2021 with the full intention of taking the title in his MSport Ford Fiesta Rally2.

Read more:
https://britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/yates-returns-for-brc-title-bid/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If all the crews showing an interest in the BRC this year complete a full season then looks like could be a half decent year.

Sorry that Rhys's season at WRC level was curtailed last year however its the BRC's gain to have him in 21. Will the Fiesta be up to challenging the likes of Matt Edwards/Osian Pryce in the Polos though?

Dont doubt the Fiesta, the Polo is the one that isnt going to get development now VW are out of motorsport...

[PLuto]

Dont doubt the Fiesta, the Polo is the one that isnt going to get development now VW are out of motorsport...

Which is not true, development is still there...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Which is not true, development is still there...

By who ?

And even so, the Fiesta will be getting the latest official developments by M-Sport who will be running Rhys Yates' car in 2021.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I was following Rd1 of the Portuguese Ch'ship last weekend and counted 33 R5/Rally2 cars entered.

I wonder how many Rd1 of the BRC will have ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

15 R5's for the NH Stages...

https://rallyinsight.com/2021/05/05/moffetts-head-strong-irish-entry-for-brc-opener/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Young Perez now in a Rally2 Fiesta.

And with M-Sport !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Podcaster Tony Simpson said he wont be in the Iriz R5 as listed (from last year) but is still trying to sort another R5 car.

[Simmi]

He's down as a Fabia R5 now. The entry list appears to have had a bit of a nip and a tuck since it dropped. All BRC runners have moved out of the reserves now.

Looking good. Very good. Just waiting for it to get cancelled now haha.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Seeded entry:

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2020/neilhoward/entries.php?type=s

Impressive turnout, including around 26 R5's across the entry.

[pantealex]

Only 1 marked as Rally2

are some of those "R5" actually newer Rally2 specs ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mellors and Proton return for Ch'ship bid:
https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/mellors-brings-proton-back-for-british-rally-championship-title-bid/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Only 1 marked as Rally2

are some of those "R5" actually newer Rally2 specs ?

Most see the two names as interchangable and not indicative of a specification.

The Fiesta R5 Mk2 of Yates run by M-Sport will be the latest spec but isnt called Rally2.

[Steve Boyd]

Only 1 marked as Rally2

are some of those "R5" actually newer Rally2 specs ?

Possibly. It should also be noted that R5 cars in the E2 class (outside the BRC) only need to comply with UK National regulations and need not run as homologated, so they may have a 34 mm restrictor rather than the homologated 32 mm restrictor.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There are 6 Rally2's on Ewrc:

https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/62050-neil-howard-stages-in-association-with-graham-coffey-co-solicitors-2021/

[PLuto]

There are 6 Rally2's on Ewrc:

https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/62050-neil-howard-stages-in-association-with-graham-coffey-co-solicitors-2021/

Which means nothing :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

NH Stages timetable:

https://msvstatic.com/documents/Neil%20Howard%20Stage%20Rally%20OP%20Timetable.pdf

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Pryce returns for full season:
https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/pryce-aims-for-british-rally-championship-perfection/

Good news seeing there's still no info on Tom Cave.

EDIT: Unti now...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E2ax598XEAgtpzT?format=jpg&name=large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Couldnt attend due to illness and been having to watch live online. The FB coverage has cheered me up a bit.

https://m.facebook.com/BRCrally

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Two stage wins for Sam Moffatt has now put him right in with a chance of victory.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Times now corrected - S.Moffatt now leads Yates by 2s.

Still doubts over Edwards 10s penalty.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Moffatt wins by 1s over Yates with Frank Bird in third - and it's a Fiesta Rally2 1-2-3. :)

[the sniper]

Sorry to hear that too Eddie, at least you hopefully avoided getting sunburnt!

As Sal says, great entry, if only you could get an entry like that in the forests, which for me is the only problem. As much as it was an enjoyable day out and I was delighted to be back at a rally, being there, I was longing to be spectating in the forest, it just isn't the same being behind wires. I've done Donington Park and Oulton rallies now (twice in the case of the latter, if you include Rally GB). While I think I made the most of I just feel more detached from them than an ordinary rally, even though I got as close as I could!

Unfortunate for Matt Edwards, lost a probable win on SS6. From what I could see Stephen Simpson span on the gravel section behind Lodge Corner, re-joining ahead of Matt, who looked to me to lose some time even initially coming up on him in the dust, before following him for the rest of the stage, including a lap of the circuit. Then he got a 10 second penalty for this, which I saw from the last corner: https://youtu.be/lhLfIqKlhBg Keeps the Championship interesting though! Could have been worse as he got a place back with Frank Bird being excluded for being underweight.

Got everything crossed for the Nicky Grist Stages to happen, though I fear it won't...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cheers guys. I went down with a horrible case of shingles on Saturday. Totally sick in every way.

Glad you got to go and enjoy live rally action once again.

[Simmi]

I've joined Sal in the pink knees crew. And hands randomly!

Agree with sniper on just feeling a bit detached from it. It felt like demonstration runs and definitely veered into Race Retro territory at times, especially watching them in the rally school section in the morning. And quite hard to really tell the difference between the main contenders on the big circuit.

That said it was great to get to an event and feel like normality. Didn't see any spectators wearing masks. We've got to take all the small wins we can get while the government continues to fail us by allowing new variants to flood in.

Feel better soon Eddie.

[Simmi]

A few pics from the day if you're interested:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/albums/72157719330681363

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51222173023_09ed1a18f6_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m3k2uc)1 (https://flic.kr/p/2m3k2uc) by Richard Simpson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51222173013_9f612fe62f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m3k2u2)2 (https://flic.kr/p/2m3k2u2) by Richard Simpson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51222172963_16ff2ea9e7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m3k2ta)5 (https://flic.kr/p/2m3k2ta) by Richard Simpson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51223033265_44e24640fb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m3prcX)4 (https://flic.kr/p/2m3prcX) by Richard Simpson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/), on Flickr

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Highlights of the opening round of the 2021 British Rally Championship on the Facebook page tonight at 7:30pm.

https://facebook.com/BRCrally

And also on You Tube.

[Steve Boyd]

Nice images and the ones taken as the crews came out of the watersplash over the gravel towards the merge are different to most Ive seen online from the event, what lense were you using there?

It's all on Flikr - just go to the photo & look at the EXIF data.

[the sniper]

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2021/nickygrist/entries.php?type=u&combined=1

Unseeded entry list for the Nicky Grist stages

20+ R5s, the usual WRCs, Cronin but no Cave unfortunately.

[the sniper]

I think there are going to be some unhappy people who don't make it to the final list...

Apparently that site was victim of a cyber attack this morning, things are getting competitive! :D

[Simmi]

Nice images and the ones taken as the crews came out of the watersplash over the gravel towards the merge are different to most Ive seen online from the event, what lense were you using there?

Cheers Sal. Sorry for late reply - it was just a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8. Nothing overly fancy. Just taking advantage of the sunlight. I saw quite a few people complaining you can't get near the splash to take pictures without accreditation but it's just not true.


Anyway - would love to do the Nicky Grist but it clashes with FoS. Hopefully the entries are still strong for the Trackrod and Cambrian.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Official Rd1 highlights finally on YT:

https://youtu.be/rsRwwIgthSk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rally FM & Special Stage coverage for Nicky Grist Stages:

https://m.facebook.com/135798096463261/posts/4232347646808265/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gerard Quinn @WRCgerardquinn

CRONIN TEAMS UP WITH HANKOOK FOR BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP RETURN -
4 times BRC rally Champion, Keith Cronin, is set to return to the series, with support from Hankook Tire. The West Cork driver is partnered with the premium tyre maker to contest four gravel rounds of the 2021 BRC.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

More details: https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/cronin-fired-up-for-five/

Really hope he be competitive on his return and esp being back in the Ford.

[the sniper]

Nice to see a manufacturer (well, of tyres :D) supported drive! It'll be interesting to see how Hankook get on.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://rallyinsight.com/2021/07/05/cronin-cave-and-wilson-add-extra-spice-to-brcs-nicky-grist-entry/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

More on Wilson's return:
https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/wilson-gets-m-sport-call-up-for-brc-title-charge/

[the sniper]

More on Wilson's return:
https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/wilson-gets-m-sport-call-up-for-brc-title-charge/

I noticed the ever optimistic BRC media says "Wilson will kick start his BRC campaign at this weekend’s Nicky Grist Stages", yet there's no mention of him doing any more rounds. I wonder whether he's actually planning to do anymore?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I noticed the ever optimistic BRC media says "Wilson will kick start his BRC campaign at this weekend’s Nicky Grist Stages", yet there's no mention of him doing any more rounds. I wonder whether he's actually planning to do anymore?

Dont know why he'd just do it as a one-off though. M-Sport maybe want to ensure the teams title against Melvin Evans Motorsport ?

[the sniper]

Dont know why he'd just do it as a one-off though. M-Sport maybe want to ensure the teams title against Melvin Evans Motorsport ?

He just did the Pirelli one year, the year the bogey times messed everything up. 2017? As he says, maybe he's just doing this one because of the family history there and quality stages.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

M-Sport @MSportLtd
Our British Rally Championship M-Sport team, Matthew Wilson, Rhys Yates and Seb Perez completed a successful test day at Walters Arena yesterday, in preparation for this weekends Nicky Grist Stages.

https://twitter.com/MSportLtd/status/1412798598081830918?s=20

[the sniper]

https://twitter.com/skunnercampbell/status/1412714328260808708


There would seem to be some right selfish, self entitled eejits out there at the moment. The landowner says no spectators. That’s the end of the conversation.
Let the 170 crews enjoy their sport this weekend & stay away. This way we get to enjoy this great venue in the future

Yeah, let them enjoy "their sport"...

[AndyRAC]

To be honest, I'm almost past caring. But as already said, no spectators due to increased operations - which is fine. But this doesn't affect the event. Not sure how that works.

[Steve Boyd]

Yeah, let them enjoy "their sport"...

They are the ones who pay for it . . .
and I'm including the volunteers who help run the events as well as the competitors in that statement.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cronin's Hankook Fiesta...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5xbHBfWYAIqfRp?format=jpg&name=900x900

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5xbHBlXMAczJdP?format=jpg&name=medium

[the sniper]

They are the ones who pay for it . . .
and I'm including the volunteers who help run the events as well as the competitors in that statement.

Like we don't know...

Can you imagine any other sport where the head of a league/Championship would freely refer to its fans as "eejits" and say of competitors that it's 'their sport'. Can you even imagine the BTCC or BSB considering using such language? Now fair enough, we know our place, British rallying has seemingly fully embraced its position of irrelevance, that is until they need us nobodies to vouch for them and campaign for them to be able to do "their sport" whenever the authorities question why they're letting these blokes tear up their facilities while more socially conscious, environmentally friendly and more popular activities are excluded for their benefit.

Regardless, I have no problem with not spectating on MoD land.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Seems to me a very unfortunate coincidence that the rally is the very weekend that an increased amount of military training is happening...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nicky Grist will watch his own rally at home:

http://www.nickygriststages.co.uk/nicky-grist-leads-by-example-and-will-watch-his-own-rally-online-at-home/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Live streamed stages will be SS1 at 8.25am and SS5 at 13.15pm.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4738898649470928&id=145418992152273&__tn__=%2As%2AsH-R

[Steve Boyd]

Like we don't know...

Can you imagine any other sport where the head of a league/Championship would freely refer to its fans as "eejits" and say of competitors that it's 'their sport'. Can you even imagine the BTCC or BSB considering using such language? Now fair enough, we know our place, British rallying has seemingly fully embraced its position of irrelevance, that is until they need us nobodies to vouch for them and campaign for them to be able to do "their sport" whenever the authorities question why they're letting these blokes tear up their facilities while more socially conscious, environmentally friendly and more popular activities are excluded for their benefit.

Regardless, I have no problem with not spectating on MoD land.

Football, F1 & BTCC are spectator sports - paid for by the spectators, either live or thorough TV subscriptions. Of course the management of those sports aren't going to decry the spectators - they are their customers. National rallying is a participator sport, paid for by those who take part. Spectators don't enter into it and in many cases are a cost and drain on resources. If you want you get near to the action then sign up as a marshal - they're always in short supply.

[AndyRAC]

Isn't that the whole problem; people decry spectators with 'they give nothing back'. Well, how are we supposed to? It's been suggested many times about a championship 'season ticket'. So you pay approx £50-70 for the BTRDA, or £90-110 for the BRC.....Nothing ever comes of it.

That seems to be the 'get out' all the time...it's not a spectator sport. At BRC level it absolutely should be. Is it any wonder the sport's on it's ar5e in this country?

[HKSjbg]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/brc/spectators-warned-to-stay-away-from-nicky-grist-stages/

I was reading this thinking OK it’s not too bad, just a temporary thing, we’re told. Then I read “...come Roger Albert Clark in November there might be spectators.”

Might. Not very reassuring...

[Whinlatter]

That article actually sheds a bit more light on why the MOD and organisers are being unusually blunt in their No Spectators message for this event, in that there's a new MOD management team in place and they want to understand what it means for the ranges (and their operations) to have a rally there.

I may be being naive but I'd like to think that this isn't an indicator of what other rallies may choose to do, and I would hope that NRW and the other forest management organisations take a more relaxed approach as the Covid situation and government guidelines are eased. Will be interesting to see what restrictions are put in place for the Wyedean and the Trackrod, with the Woodpecker already having made its stance clear.

I had planned to go this weekend but I cancelled those plans as I've gone without rallying for 18 months and another one or two won't kill me. I hope people heed the message this weekend and stay off the MOD land, the last thing we need is to lose such an iconic venue just because a few people think they are more important than the future of the sport.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Okaaaay... back to the rally.

Tom Cave update on his return and in a Fiesta:
https://m.facebook.com/135798096463261/posts/4289068494469513/?d=n

[the sniper]

Football, F1 & BTCC are spectator sports - paid for by the spectators, either live or thorough TV subscriptions. Of course the management of those sports aren't going to decry the spectators - they are their customers. National rallying is a participator sport, paid for by those who take part. Spectators don't enter into it and in many cases are a cost and drain on resources. If you want you get near to the action then sign up as a marshal - they're always in short supply.

The BRC was commercially and exposure wise on a par with at least the BTCC in the 80s or Motorcycle racing (BSB started '88). There wasn't such a chasm between it and the likes of Football, Cricket and Rugby back then. The current position of rallying in comparison to them is embarrassing. Those series didn't stay relevant by accident, they managed to stay true to their product, saw the value in their audience and commercialised that to stay viable. Rallying? Three decades of pruning its 'product', actively driving away it's ever dwindling support base with only intermittent leadership guiding the sport in any meaningful direction. We've got to the point where, the sport is so far from from relevance, that people involved now can only argue, 'duh, this is a private club activity that has nothing to do with you'...

[the sniper]

That article actually sheds a bit more light on why the MOD and organisers are being unusually blunt in their No Spectators message for this event, in that there's a new MOD management team in place and they want to understand what it means for the ranges (and their operations) to have a rally there.

I understand the organiser's public position and, as opposed to what the headline suggests, I hope that all involved in the event act on the day in line with what they're quoted as saying the issue is. No spectating on MoD land, that's entirely fair enough. I know why they've taken the public position they have and I'll comment more fully on that after the event, once we've seen how Saturday plays out.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS1 Olly Mellors had massive off, big roll.

Radio car is reporting that one is going to hospital for a check up but hopefully a precaution. The car landed very heavy on the nose and rolled.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mellors crash here at the end of the video: https://www.facebook.com/blackmountainsmedia/videos/vb.100030921383668/1269713376815975/?type=2&theater

[M3 Jambo]

Hopefully that wasn't him flat out (the marshall :))

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great battle at the front on the first loop. Still all to play for.

Not very impressed with the coverage on FB which keeps buffering for me. Nice drone footage though.

[AndyRAC]

I always prefer You Tube for motorsport streaming coverage instead of Facebook.... I thought the drone coverage was decent.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No sign of Matt Wilson on the afternoon loop. Showing stopped on a road section on the tracker.

E - his times have come up now, strange.

E2 - Wilson give a 1min road penalty.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So Matt Edwards held on for the win by 5s over Tom Cave, with Osian Pryce at 12s.

Great close battle throughout by these three and an impressive win by Edwards in his first gravel rally in the Polo R5.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6AQK2XX0AEmeVA?format=jpg&name=large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Welsh rallying successfully returns to the forests with the 2021 Nicky Grist Stages by Steve Jones.

https://www.rallyinguk.info/post/welsh-rallying-successfully-returns-to-the-forests-with-the-2021-nicky-grist-stages

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/british-rallying-fans-thanked-for-avoiding-nicky-grist-stages

[the sniper]

I noticed the ever optimistic BRC media says "Wilson will kick start his BRC campaign at this weekend’s Nicky Grist Stages", yet there's no mention of him doing any more rounds. I wonder whether he's actually planning to do anymore?

Going back to this to be fair, he's entered the Grampian, so it looks promising, particularly as I seem to remember he was fond of the Trackrod and has done Rally GB a couple of times in recent years, so may be up for the Cambrian: https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2021/grampian/entries.php?type=u

Looks like it'll be another strong entry! If the Nicky Grist was anything to go by, another can't miss event... Can't see any mention of accommodating spectators though, one way or the other, literally! https://www.grampianforestrally.com/spectators

[the sniper]

Grampian FB suggests they are following Scottish Government guidelines for now. As the previous SRC round has announced itself to be non spectator can see this one being the same.

I think they'll find it harder to keep people away than Quinton MC did on the Nicky Grist, not being able to threaten people with being hunted by drone and prosecuted under criminal law by the MoD for trespassing on their land, when 40% of the rally was actually on NRW land, with access only restricted for the purposes of the rally. Scotland has a far more liberal (legal and general) attitude towards land access.

Edit: I thought the SRC Argyll Rally was non spectator too, but checking their site, this was posted the day before the event:

Argyll Rally Spectator Update 24/06/2021

The organisers of the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally have been working tirelessly with the local authorities over the past few days, including this afternoon to work towards allowing spectators to attend the event.

We apologise for the delay in this announcement but wanted to do our best for this exciting new event.

Whilst we are not banning spectators from attending, we would like to remind all fans and followers of the current COVID-19 situation and to think carefully before travelling.

Please ensure you abide by ALL COVID-19 guidelines including PPE, sanitising and importantly social distancing.

The behaviour of all involved in this rally will have a direct effect on future events so please ensure you act responsibly for the good of our sport.

Thank you for your cooperation.

http://argyllrally.co.uk/argyll-rally-event-spectator-access-update/

The rest of the advice given on that page is scarily sensible too, compared to what we've seen elsewhere...

[the sniper]

The 'spectator zones'/pig pens have become a complete liability in Covid times... It'll be interesting to see how they handle it on the day. It's a case again where you can see what the public message has to be for various reasons, but there's a common sense approach that can and probably will be used on the day. It's a difficult one to handle.

[Whinlatter]

Just hypothesising, but perhaps the Argyll organisers realised they had to make the Dunoon town centre stage accessible to spectators if it were to run at all, and also realised that they wouldn't be swamped because the rest of the rally is in a fairly remote area. They have a supportive relationship with the local tourist board/council too. The Scottish and Grampian are much closer to large population centres and maybe more at risk of negative reaction from local councils and nervous residents if they attracted a load of speccies?

Whatever the case, I hope things are clearer before Mull because there is no way they can try and run that with a No Spectator policy.

[AndyRAC]

I'm sure a limited number of spectators were allowed at Knockhill, and of course more at Hampden for Euro 2020. There is no reason why spectators shouldn't be allowed at Scottish events, unless organisers don't want them.

[Whinlatter]

I believe Knockhill were allowed 1000 spectators for the BSB, which is only 25% of what circuits in England have been allowed to have. The argument is that ticketed events can prove how they manage fans in a Covid compliant way, where an event in open countryside can't. Would be interested to know if any road cycling events have been taking place and what restrictions they've had to put in place.

[the sniper]

Would be interested to know if any road cycling events have been taking place and what restrictions they've had to put in place.

So long as everyone in the area closes their eyes as the Peloton passes it's safe. ;)

[Steve Boyd]

because the rest of the rally is in a fairly remote area
The entire rally was within 20 miles of Dunoon.

[Whinlatter]

The entire rally was within 20 miles of Dunoon.
Yes, I know that but there are no towns or even large villages on the rest of the route. The point I was trying (badly) to make is that the whole route is relatively remote and thus spectator numbers would be modest, but the town centre stage will be different insomuch as Dunoon residents will hopefully have been curious or interested enough to want to come out and watch.

[AndyRAC]

Another weekend, another weekend of elite level sport - and large crowds present. (Silverstone, and Royal St George's, Kent).....It is annoying as a rallyfan, but it's a case of 'hard luck' and wait.

[Steve Boyd]

Yes, I know that but there are no towns or even large villages on the rest of the route. The point I was trying (badly) to make is that the whole route is relatively remote and thus spectator numbers would be modest, but the town centre stage will be different insomuch as Dunoon residents will hopefully have been curious or interested enough to want to come out and watch.
Dunoon is 30 miles and a short ferry trip from the center of Glasgow. Those stages are more accessible to residents of central Scotland than the Welsh forests are to the population of the English midlands - ferry capacity is likely to be the most limiting factor for access.

[HKSjbg]

Nicky Grist highlights are up on youtube now:

https://youtu.be/pNfBE16uDYQ

[the sniper]

Nicky Grist highlights are up on youtube now:

https://youtu.be/pNfBE16uDYQ

Stylistically I think format looks good, it doesn't look as cheap as some of the highlights have appeared in recent years, even when they were still on television... But seriously, why is there no onboard footage?! I'd love to see the onboards from the last stage at least. Would this not seriously enhance and extend the coverage cheaply? It's not like most crews are running without cameras nowadays. It's like going back 35 years!

[HKSjbg]

I’d also like to see one or two introductory scenic shots, probably so easy these days with drones - though on an MoD site that’s probably a firm no!

I’ve been watching loads of early 90s BRC videos on VHS Rallies on youtube lately, it was always nice to see a very big shot of Brenig reservoir, Kielder Water and, presumably, one of the lochs around Perth.

I agree the quality has gone up by quite some margin compared to recent years but it’s still missing a few extra details like 80s and 90s rally reports used to have.

I wonder if they can do the Grampian slightly differently due to no extra MoD-related restrictions...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I guess it's more difficult these days with everyone already knowing exactly what happened and having watched streams and social media clips.

I think they could show a longer programme though - 8 mins is a bit pathetic, like a token gesture.

[AndyRAC]

http://www.scottishrally.co.uk/spec_zones-2/

Have a look here. It may be open to flex but looks unlikely

https://twitter.com/ScottishRally

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mellors Elliot Motorsport - Proton Iriz R5 set for rally return

We are delighted to announce that Ollie Mellors and Max Freeman will return to the stages after their sizeable shunt at the Nicky Grist.

We have begun work on a new car for the pairing who have entered the Hills Ford Three Shires Stages in a bid to get comfortable on tarmac for some exciting plans later this year.

Huge thanks to everyone for their well-wishes and support!

[HKSjbg]

This isn’t meant as a BRC bashing post, but look at how well the Welsh Championship covered the NG Stages: https://youtu.be/9yJNs8uBWbw

There are clearly some things the BRC’s coverage does a bit better but you can hardly fault this for nearly 27 minutes of good quality coverage

[AndyRAC]

I thought it was interesting they disabled comments.....

[HKSjbg]

I thought it was interesting they disabled comments.....

I think that automatically happens if the video is meant as suitable for kids. Which on the one hand makes sense if you want the younger generation interested in your sport, but on the other the Welsh Rally Championship is hardly going to be the place for highly controversial comments!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Grampian Rally Unseeded Entry list:

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2021/grampian/entries.php?type=u

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Still no results through for SS1 and the stage end video didnt work. :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Two stage wins for Wilson - road position helping I guess.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So Matt Wilson takes the win with Pryce 2nd & Yates 3rd.

Sadly Edwards retired with an engine misfire.

[HKSjbg]

BRC coverage of the Grampian: https://youtu.be/2qjTcTMlijI

I’ve come to the conclusion that although nicely polished, this new video coverage of the BRC just falls a bit flat. It just feels a bit like you’re watching any rally which could be held in any forest somewhere in the UK. No sense of it being Britain’s premier rally series. What’s everyone else’s take on it?

[AndyRAC]

BRC coverage of the Grampian: https://youtu.be/2qjTcTMlijI

It just feels a bit like you’re watching any rally which could be held in any forest somewhere in the UK. No sense of it being Britain’s premier rally series.....

The coverage is fine; they do a good job, with limited material to work with. It's over 20 years since we has BBC coverage, and just under that for the excellent CH4 coverage of the F2 days. When you have top drivers, teams, and budgets etc it's a lot easier to make events look like they're important.

Our premier series basically is just another rally series - and the events are 'club' events. One day forest events (and less than 40 mins of timed stages) are not what a country's premier series should be about.....but we know why. How we get the BRC to a similar level to BTCC, BSB, British GT is the holy grail for UK rallying.

[er88]

Scrambled into the forests for the grampian. Lovely weather, great pace from the top guys but Matt Wilson was visibly faster through this 5 left in Fetteresso we watched from. Amazing commitment using every inch of the road and more.
Hopefully the grampian keeps it's place on the brc calendar. Scotland has so many superb gravel stages, whether the grampian stages, Perthshire stages or the Trossachs. Just a shame the latter two areas haven't seen rallying in years, and that won't change unless Scotland gets a WRC round in the forests up here.....

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Best of the Grampian videos:
https://youtu.be/YlXL0JY-u2Q

[AndyRAC]

Hopefully the grampian keeps it's place on the brc calendar. Scotland has so many superb gravel stages, whether the grampian stages, Perthshire stages or the Trossachs. Just a shame the latter two areas haven't seen rallying in years, and that won't change unless Scotland gets a WRC round in the forests up here.....

There's a saying 'use them or lose them'. When forests don't get used for rallying for a period of time, they usually become 'off limits'; as the leisure side takes over.

[HKSjbg]

Scotland has so many superb gravel stages, whether the grampian stages, Perthshire stages or the Trossachs. Just a shame the latter two areas haven't seen rallying in years, and that won't change unless Scotland gets a WRC round in the forests up here.....

Great shout. McDiarmid Park as your service park, a day’s stages at Carron Valley and Loch Ard, another day around Fetteresso/Durris/Drumtochty and your final day in the Tay Forest park stages.

But then that’s a discussion for another thread... :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice idea but I see the Green's are now in power in Scotland (with the SNP). I cant see any chance of this govt giving a new WRC event the time of day.

[the sniper]

Scrambled into the forests for the grampian. Lovely weather, great pace from the top guys but Matt Wilson was visibly faster through this 5 left in Fetteresso we watched from. Amazing commitment using every inch of the road and more.

Glad to hear it, too far for me to go and chance it, particularly not knowing the lay of the land up there. I'm still gutted so many had to miss the Nicky Grist. They're putting on a great show on the stages this year and it might not be repeated...


The coverage is fine; they do a good job, with limited material to work with. It's over 20 years since we has BBC coverage, and just under that for the excellent CH4 coverage of the F2 days. When you have top drivers, teams, and budgets etc it's a lot easier to make events look like they're important.

I still can't get my head around them not using any onboards...


Our premier series basically is just another rally series - and the events are 'club' events. One day forest events (and less than 40 mins of timed stages) are not what a country's premier series should be about.....but we know why. How we get the BRC to a similar level to BTCC, BSB, British GT is the holy grail for UK rallying.

Totally agree, but I've come to believe/somewhat accept that this is what 'the bubble' are comfortable with. The obscurity some want the sport to hide in will probably be the death of it in the end, as it's easy to ban something nobody can see or care about.


Great shout. McDiarmid Park as your service park, a day’s stages at Carron Valley and Loch Ard, another day around Fetteresso/Durris/Drumtochty and your final day in the Tay Forest park stages.

But then that’s a discussion for another thread... :D

I'd base it at Ingliston/Edinburgh Airport, the Royal Highland Centre. 50 mins away Cardrona/Elibank in the Borders, 1hr 5m to Craigvinean, 45m to Carron Valley or 55 minutes to the core Trossachs stages.


Nice idea but I see the Green's are now in power in Scotland (with the SNP). I cant see any chance of this govt giving a new WRC event the time of day.

I'm afraid I think you're right, unless they can be duped by the Hybrids.


I went to the Historic Rally Festival at Weston Park today. Nice event, could really do with being a timed rally, as there seemed to be little impetus for many entrants to push on. A good few moments down at the water splash though, even if regardless of yesterday's rain it was more of a puddle, even with it being topped up between stages with a hose pipe! :D

And for those (on BRF...) who say spectators don't pay, £16 to £22 each and there was a good crowd there. All purchased in advance I believe. The sport isn't dead yet, no matter how hard they try...

[Steve Boyd]

Andy & Sniper

Our premier series basically is just another rally series - and the events are 'club' events. One day forest events (and less than 40 mins of timed stages) are not what a country's premier series should be about.....but we know why. How we get the BRC to a similar level to BTCC, BSB, British GT is the holy grail for UK rallying.

Totally agree, but I've come to believe/somewhat accept that this is what 'the bubble' are comfortable with. The obscurity some want the sport to hide in will probably be the death of it in the end, as it's easy to ban something nobody can see or care about.What you have completely failed to take into account is that nobody is prepared to pay the going rate to enter the kind of events you'd like to see. ANCRO went bust because nobody wanted to pay for 60/70/80 miles of forest on one day. BRC entires dried up because nobody wanted to spend a day of recce followed by a 2 -3 days of competition.

I've been involved as spectator, service crew, competitor, marshal and event organiser for 50 years & I'd love to see the "golden age" return but until enough people are prepared to pay for it it isn't going to happen.

If you are really serious about the kind of event that you'd like to see then you need to lobby your MP to bring back tobacco & alcohol advertising. That's where the money really came from to cover the cost of those classic events you'd like to see return.

[AndyRAC]

Isn't the question, why don't they want a bigger challenge? So, a 45 mile one day club event is the limit of most competitors ambition? So they buy an ex WRCar to do it in, or pay silly money for a Mk II.

[the sniper]

Nice footage of the Grampian Rally from Sideways Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlXL0JY-u2Q

[the sniper]

Andy & Sniper

What you have completely failed to take into account is that nobody is prepared to pay the going rate to enter the kind of events you'd like to see. ANCRO went bust because nobody wanted to pay for 60/70/80 miles of forest on one day. BRC entires dried up because nobody wanted to spend a day of recce followed by a 2 -3 days of competition.

I've been involved as spectator, service crew, competitor, marshal and event organiser for 50 years & I'd love to see the "golden age" return but until enough people are prepared to pay for it it isn't going to happen.

If you are really serious about the kind of event that you'd like to see then you need to lobby your MP to bring back tobacco & alcohol advertising. That's where the money really came from to cover the cost of those classic events you'd like to see return.

While I do understand that, the Roger Albert Clark shows that people are willing to pay more for something with greater value. The RAC is two thirds of what I'd like to see as a BRC season, in terms of time and distance. As it is, with 7 mainly shorter events, including a trip to Mull and Northern Ireland this year, must involve additional costs that a shorter season of 5 longer events would eliminate or at least match.

With the difficulties with accessing the forests and the increasingly onerous responsibility put on organising clubs, I think the whole model needs to change. My vision would be 5 MSUK organised, two day rallies, three in the forests (Yorkshire, Scottish, Welsh), two on tarmac (NI & Manx), 200km to 220km each. You'll have BRC with recce and, as has been working this year, a British National title, for those not doing recce. Ideally you'd get the British Historic Championship to follow the same calendar, as it's actually somewhat truer to what rallying historically was. The poorer rich guys spending 250k on Escorts or more on WRC cars that can't afford that can do the BRTDA instead, if it can continue to find 7 surviving forest rallies going forward...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@SteveBoyd
When were tobacco and alcohol companies sponsoring BRC events ?

I know they sponsored teams, is that what you mean ?

[HKSjbg]

The last I can find is the 1988 Rothmans Circuit of Ireland :D

Even Marlboro used to sponsor the Lindisfarne Rally up until about ‘85/’86

[Steve Boyd]

@SteveBoyd
When were tobacco and alcohol companies sponsoring BRC events ?

I know they sponsored teams, is that what you mean ?

Both teams and events. They put money into the sport in various ways. Rothmans, in particular, were very involved. Aside from event, team and personal sponsorship they used to put rally shows on around the country with guest speakers, films & competitions to win a variety of goodies.

[Steve Boyd]

My vision would be 5 MSUK organised, two day rallies, three in the forests (Yorkshire, Scottish, Welsh), two on tarmac (NI & Manx), 200km to 220km each. You'll have BRC with recce and, as has been working this year, a British National title, for those not doing recce. Ideally you'd get the British Historic Championship to follow the same calendar, as it's actually somewhat truer to what rallying historically was. The poorer rich guys spending 250k on Escorts or more on WRC cars that can't afford that can do the BRTDA instead, if it can continue to find 7 surviving forest rallies going forward...

It sounds great but . . . .
How much would the entry fees be (don't forget that if MSUK organise it there will be salaries to pay that current events don't pay)?
How many competitors would be interested in entering?

Without a significant sponsorship deal I doubt that it would be viable. Back in the golden years events could offer free entries & start money to significant entrants.

The RAC is a special case. It only happens once every two years, and it isn't a coincidence that that it takes place on the years that there isn't a Silver Fern rally. It lets the really wealthy historic competitors have an adventure every year - one in each hemisphere. It also lets those who aren't quite so well heeled save up for a couple of years between the events. It's rare so it's aspirational. BRC is seen as humdrum. It will need a special marketing effort to turn that attitude around, particularly in the eyes of those who think that BTRDA is a national championship rather that the club championship that it actually is.

[AndyRAC]

https://twitter.com/BRCrally/status/1430075774275571722

They'll need a new media guy.......

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Both teams and events. They put money into the sport in various ways. Rothmans, in particular, were very involved. Aside from event, team and personal sponsorship they used to put rally shows on around the country with guest speakers, films & competitions to win a variety of goodies.

Thats going back three decades though. The ban has been on for a long time and the sport continued with good events and entries. This was with new sponsors and new Manufacturers like Seat. These are what needs to come back but sadly rally is not seen as a worthwhile investment any more in the UK. How do other national championships do it ?

[AndyRAC]

Thats going back three decades though. The ban has been on for a long time and the sport continued with good events and entries. This was with new sponsors and new Manufacturers like Seat. These are what needs to come back but sadly rally is not seen as a worthwhile investment any more in the UK. How do other national championships do it ?

The Seat sponsorship of the Jim Clark was 20 years ago; they took over the whole town, plus the local park area with all kinds of activities. Since then, we've rarely seen that type of backing for BRC events. I think the decline of the BRC is very much a 21st century happening. It's become less and less visible, hence less and less sponsors and money coming into the sport.

Other national championships haven't had the same issues - they're obviously a lot more proactive, and forward thinking - and can attract/keep sponsors. As a sport, we're our own worst enemy.

[HKSjbg]

My vision would be 5 MSUK organised, two day rallies, three in the forests (Yorkshire, Scottish, Welsh), two on tarmac (NI & Manx), 200km to 220km each. You'll have BRC with recce and, as has been working this year, a British National title, for those not doing recce. Ideally you'd get the British Historic Championship to follow the same calendar, as it's actually somewhat truer to what rallying historically was. The poorer rich guys spending 250k on Escorts or more on WRC cars that can't afford that can do the BRTDA instead, if it can continue to find 7 surviving forest rallies going forward...

I'd be happy with that sort of set-up if we had a mixture of single day events and, say, RallyGB as your multi-day forest event plus three asphalt events. Even if that meant competitors could choose their best 5 scores from 6 (or just enter the 5 events).


The Seat sponsorship of the Jim Clark was 20 years ago; they took over the whole town, plus the local park area with all kinds of activities. Since then, we've rarely seen that type of backing for BRC events. I think the decline of the BRC is very much a 21st century happening. It's become less and less visible, hence less and less sponsors and money coming into the sport.

Other national championships haven't had the same issues - they're obviously a lot more proactive, and forward thinking - and can attract/keep sponsors. As a sport, we're our own worst enemy.

I had been thinking it was a bit of catch-22 situation - big sponsors need a high-calibre championship to be a part of, the sponsors and other backers need the championship to be worth their effort in the first place. But really it's down to the BRC promotor/organiser to get those companies interested in the first place. Companies still involved in rallying to this day - Michelin, Castrol, Renault, Hyundai, Toyota etc. etc.

It seems like they're not really doing anything (easy for me to say, I know) to convince, for example, Renault to put on a Clio Cup like in France/ERC or Hyundai to send works drivers to the UK like they have been doing in Italy.

And before you say it, I know, there's wayyyyyyy more to it than that, my point is more that it feels like the BRC sees itself as a club championship with a fancy title that used to mean something around the world. Instead of aiming, as it should be, to be the best domestic rally championship in Europe or the whole world, however long it would take to achieve that.

What if a proper promoter came on board? Eurosport don't have a rally series to promote now :D

[Steve Boyd]

Thats going back three decades though. The ban has been on for a long time and the sport continued with good events and entries. This was with new sponsors and new Manufacturers like Seat. These are what needs to come back but sadly rally is not seen as a worthwhile investment any more in the UK. How do other national championships do it ?Three decades ago is when the decline started. While the F2000 era is fondly remembered by many, it happened because of a restriction that banned 4WD cars from the BRC in response to declining entries and marginal finances. It attracted a few manufacturers for a few years but there were costs to events and competitors.

The Manx and Scottish had to withdraw from the ERC. You could say it wasn't a great loss as they didn't attract many European competitors but the Europeans didn't come because those that did struggled to compete against the best of the BRC. That gave at least some measure of the level of the UK competitors.

The Manx and Jim Clark were also forced out of the Irish Tarmac Championship limiting entries on those events and removing a way of gauging British championship drivers against those from the Irish championship.

It also took away the opportunity for the top BRC runners to measure themselves against the WRC runners in Rally GB. Burns & McCrea, and before them Brookes, Pond, Wilson &c could enter the RAC (Rally GB now) in the car they used all year and compete in the same class at the top world runners. Under the BRC F2000 rules they needed to find a different car to do that.

The fall off in manufacturer inerest in the BRC coupled with losing a year due to the foot & mouth outbreak caused another re-think of the rules. 4WD S2000 cars were permitted but nobody was interested in them. If only they had taken off like R5 did we may have seen an upsurge in the BRC.

I also believe that trying to market the BRC as a "stepping stone" was a mistake. The BRC should be sold as an end in itself. It should be strong enough for the top drivers to want to compete in it for a decade or more, not just do 2 years and then move on elsewhere to ERC or WRC or give up because they can't get a WRC or ERC deal. If the BRC was that strong we'd get young Scandinavians coming here to get experience and prove themselves and the series would actually be a stepping stone for some while still being a career opportunity for others, but that needs promotion and finances that simply aren't there.

[AndyRAC]

I also believe that trying to market the BRC as a "stepping stone" was a mistake. The BRC should be sold as an end in itself. It should be strong enough for the top drivers to want to compete in it for a decade or more, not just do 2 years and then move on elsewhere to ERC or WRC or give up because they can't get a WRC or ERC deal. If the BRC was that strong we'd get young Scandinavians coming here to get experience and prove themselves and the series would actually be a stepping stone for some while still being a career opportunity for others, but that needs promotion and finances that simply aren't there.

I've been saying this for years; I look at the BTCC, that's not set up a stepping stone to elsewhere. It's an end in itself - if people move on somewhere else, then good for them. That is what the BRC should have been. Good events, providing a test for all competitors, and providing excellent action for fans/media, etc However, that boat has long gone.....
There is no viable solution.....and I'm not sure making it an all Tarmac series is the panacea people think it might be.

[Steve Boyd]

I've been saying this for years; I look at the BTCC, that's not set up a stepping stone to elsewhere. It's an end in itself - if people move on somewhere else, then good for them. That is what the BRC should have been. Good events, providing a test for all competitors, and providing excellent action for fans/media, etc However, that boat has long gone.....
There is no viable solution.....and I'm not sure making it an all Tarmac series is the panacea people think it might be.

Sadly, I have to agree.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Trackrod spectator & ticket info:
https://www.rallyyorkshire.co.uk/spectator-information/

https://rallyyorkshire.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/rally_yorkshire_2021

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Trackrod full entry: https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2021/rallyyorkshire/entries.php?type=u&combined=1

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Seems the Cambrian is ok for spectators:
https://cambrianrally.co.uk/spectators/stage-information

[the sniper]

BRC entry has stood up better than many expected. Addition of Wilson and Cronin has helped even if a few have dropped out.

It's a shame that Cave couldn't get a budget together for the full season this year, he's the biggest missing regular who would mixing it at the sharp end.

[cmac]

Does anyone have maps of this year's rally Yorkshire stages?
Also I'm looking for stage start times for gale Rigg and langdale?

[Steve Boyd]

Does anyone have maps of this year's rally Yorkshire stages?
Also I'm looking for stage start times for gale Rigg and langdale?

Spectator information is listed here:
https://www.rallyyorkshire.co.uk/spectator-information/

Gale Rigg & Langdale aren't listed so either they aren't being used or spectators aren't welcome there. Don't forget that this event is being run under special permission from the Forestry Commission as a test event for the resumption of rallying in English forests following Covid-19. The appearance of spectators on non-spectator stages could be detrimental to the already uncertain future of forest rallying in England.

The event is calling for marshals, so if you don't want to go to the spectator areas why not sign-on and marshal?

[Simmi]

Managed to work out which way Cropton is running. Same as 2019 (a right-hander at the speccy entrance).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Moffett's to skip BRC events...

https://rallyinsight.com/2021/09/20/moffetts-to-skip-brc-events-in-favour-of-irish-rallies/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice preview of the top drivers' aims before the Trackrod:
https://rallyinsight.com/2021/09/23/brc-battles-set-to-intensify-on-yorkshires-trackrod-rally/

Also note that Matt Wilson is playing his Joker here.

[satnav]

Does anyone have maps of this year's rally Yorkshire stages?
Also I'm looking for stage start times for gale Rigg and langdale?

The stage maps are here https://www.rally-maps.com/Rally-Yorkshire-2021

The official maps are also on the SPORTITY App the password is TRY2021

It's only Dalby and Cropton that are open to spectators and passes have to be purchased, the rally still needs marshals so thats maybe a better option to see something while helping the rally as well.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Signal there is terrible so BRC told me there's no promises of any live coverage. :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Huge time by Edwards on SS1 in the dark..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FAHLHMWXsAILYyX?format=jpg&name=large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Edwards faster by identical amounts to Wilson & Pryce on both SS2 & SS3 extends his lead.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Pryce and Wilson take a bit of time back on SS5 but Edwards still with a good lead.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Edwards wins SS5 and the rally overall comfortably. Pryce beats Wilson on the last stage to take the battle for 2nd place.

[Simmi]

Yeah that felt good to be back out on an event. Certainly busiest Trackrod I've been on. I hope whatever the organisers and powers that be needed to see from that event was seen because the speccy carparks were rammed.

A few pics from Cropton and Dalby here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/albums/72157719912654581

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51519835414_ebf95cf6b5_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2muCC9o)1 (https://flic.kr/p/2muCC9o) by Richard Simpson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51519122526_be20cc4f1e_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2muyYed)2 (https://flic.kr/p/2muyYed) by Richard Simpson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51519119926_3787757320_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2muyXso)3 (https://flic.kr/p/2muyXso) by Richard Simpson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94998505@N03/), on Flickr

[AndyRAC]

Good to hear there were decent crowds; I wanted to go, and was planning to; but decided against it when the fuel panic started; only had half a tank of petrol, and all local stations were empty. Didn't fancy risking it.

[the sniper]

Good to hear there were decent crowds; I wanted to go, and was planning to; but decided against it when the fuel panic started; only had half a tank of petrol, and all local stations were empty. Didn't fancy risking it.

Sorry to hear that. Not that it helps, but the petrol stations up there didn't seem too bad ('people are sensible in Yorkshire', I had heard), it was only when I returned south after a few days that I started noticing all the closed petrol stations and long queue at the ones that were open...

Nice event, great entry. Weather was ideal on Friday night in particular. Very easy event to spectate even with what seemed like a relatively large number of spectators, thanks to the sensible marshals I encountered. Really hope we get to see more onboards from the top guys, I won't hold my breath though.

Matthew Wilson really has been a welcome (re)addition this year. Mixing it with Matt Edwards and Osian Pryce, maybe not the naturally quickest guy, but he reminds me of Andreas Mikkelsen, tries to make up the time in a rather spectacular style!

For the Championship, nice and close now:
1. Osian Pryce 66
2. Matt Edwards 62
3. Matthew Wilson 53J
4. Rhys Yates 53J

Does anyone know what happened to Rhys Yates on SS5 Langdale? Dropped from 4th to 13th, really cost him Championship wise.

Looking forward to being out there again on the Cambrian. Hopefully there'll be some decent internet coverage from Mull, up next.

[Steve Boyd]

Nice that unlike previous Trackrods there wasnt a massive gap between the fieldsMotorsport UK no longer insist that events have to run competitors in seeded order, which they had done since the inquiries into spectator safety following the accidents on JCMR and Snowman. BRC also no longer insist that they run entirely separately form the other competitors. That enabled Trackrod MC to run the Historic & 2WD BTRDA cars reverse seeded first with the BRC & BTRDA 4WD runners normally seeded after. The pace of the top historic runners compared with the top BRC runners meant that there only needed to be a 5 minute gap between the last Historic and the first BRC. It also meant that they could accept more entries without breaching the 3 hour convoy length limit.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Matthew Wilson really has been a welcome (re)addition this year. Mixing it with Matt Edwards and Osian Pryce, maybe not the naturally quickest guy, but he reminds me of Andreas Mikkelsen, tries to make up the time in a rather spectacular style!

For the Championship, nice and close now:
1. Osian Pryce 66
2. Matt Edwards 62
3. Matthew Wilson 53J
4. Rhys Yates 53J

Does anyone know what happened to Rhys Yates on SS5 Langdale? Dropped from 4th to 13th, really cost him Championship wise.

.

It was another puncture for Yates on SS5. Not good at all but I think he was always slower than the top 3 like he has been most of the year.

Edwards really showed his class again here and with a fair share of luck he should take the title again. The absence of Tom Cave has been a real pity - one of the few who can really compete with him on pure pace.

[Whinlatter]

I'm wondering if any of the BRC competitors will actually take the start of the Mull Rally on Friday. Since John Fife posted the seeded entry list on Sept 28th, the following BRC drivers have dropped out:

Rhys Yates
James Wilson
Elliott Payne
Alan Carmichael
Ruairi Bell
David Kelly
Brian Brady
Eddie Lewis
Jason Dickson

By my reckoning there are 10 left, plus 6 National crews, three of whom are frequent Mull rallyists anyway. I know all championships suffer from increasingly small entries as people run out of budget and realise they can't win anything, but this feels like a really high rate of withdrawals. I suppose at least it means that more of the regulars will get a run off the reserve list.

[the sniper]

Mull always seemed a bit of an out there inclusion to me, particularly for the latter half of the season. We're led to believe the Isle of Man is a financial bridge too far, how a case can be made for Mull, with its remoteness and lack of accommodation, I don't know. Don't get me wrong, I think it'll be interesting, but I'm not sure its inclusion makes much sense. Handy for Iain Campbell, at least. I believe he'll be attending this round...

[AndyRAC]

it was always likely to happen, as already noted. However, Mull is a fabulous event, whether the BRC guys turn up or not. I think plenty of people weren't sure that Mull was a good fit for the BRC....but that's not because of the event - it's a BRC issue.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's a shame the BRC has lost most of the Irish crews too since rallies have started up again over there.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So just Edwards & Pryce both in Polo's as the only representatives of the top class of BRC in Mull. It's a real pity that after all the years of hearing about Mull's almost-mythical status, the other's didn't make the effort to take the trip there.

The regulars and local fans will hardly notice the BRC is involved.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FBKDaP8X0AA1r3k?format=jpg&name=medium

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Couple of 'live stages' but I guess they'll just be stage ends...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FBHmMb8XMAAau_C?format=jpg&name=small

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Reports that Matt Edwards got to the end of SS1 but said had no brakes following an off 5 or 6 corners in and lost 7m !

ME: 'Only half a mile in. Complete brain fade on my behalf ...'

Repair done mid-stage and got through SS2 in road-mode and back to service.

Poor time also by Pryce on SS2 and he's down to 4th o/a.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

From Osian Pryce:
2 stages done. Saw Matt stopped after a few Km’s so backed right off, then lost brakes and wipers. Didn’t work on ss2. Topped off with a brave tyre choice, we are happy to still be going.

[the sniper]

Some of the old boys on BRF will be giddy with glee to see the BRC shown up...

[Steve Boyd]

Some of the old boys on BRF will be giddy with glee to see the BRC shown up...

Careful - you might entice Neil back on here. He used to post as Bolton Midnight.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good coverage last night on the Mull Rally FB page and could be more with some actual action today.

https://m.facebook.com/MullRally/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Matt Edwards' car not looking too pretty but back in full working order now...

https://scontent.fman4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/245084469_2935453480038989_3313292876099069445_n.j pg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=973b4a&_nc_ohc=qmZMD7VZFqYAX8-WR1e&_nc_ht=scontent.fman4-2.fna&oh=fd1a460d04b110c70f0dec0cd731303a&oe=61876F10

Pryce's car looks great but he's really unhappy with it. Lucky he can just cruise around and still take the points !

https://scontent.fman4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/243305945_2935453700038967_1876311971621597489_n.j pg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=973b4a&_nc_ohc=wvTfY2gWSDMAX-B4-ge&_nc_ht=scontent.fman4-1.fna&oh=a6cda3f0ce16df13fd7ca6f342db3c0c&oe=61854051

[AndyRAC]

Good coverage last night on the Mull Rally FB page and could be more with some actual action today.

https://m.facebook.com/MullRally/

I wish they'd put the coverage on YouTube as well as Facebook..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I wish they'd put the coverage on YouTube as well as Facebook..

Definitely, I'm not on FB plus I think its a rubbish platform for watching live videos. I guess it must be easier for the broadcaster to use.

There was only one bit of live action shown on Saturday afternoon but the stage ends and service interviews were quite comprehensive with Clark & Evans from Dirtfish.

[HKSjbg]

Mull Rally coverage is up, good to see the longest rally of the season so far is given much longer coverage, nearly 15 minutes

https://youtu.be/FyagZcBRTiY

[Paul Hudson]

Big Announcement tomorrow of 2022 BRC Events , But it has already been leaked on social media.

Clacton 23/24 April
Jim Clark 27/28 May
Nicky Grist 9 July
Grampian 13 August
Rali Bae 3/4 Sept
Trackrod 23/24 Sept
Cambrian 29 Oct
Reserve Event Oulton Park 5th Nov

[HKSjbg]

Interesting. I’m surprised by Bae Ceredigion’s inclusion but then looking at their website we already know next year’s event will be much more mileage than last time.

Yorkshire dropping off the calendar again is also a bit of a surprise

[Paul Hudson]

Sorry i Missed Trackrod off the list, amended it now,

[HKSjbg]

It’s just clicked - two rallies each in England, Scotland & Wales and of those, one tarmac and one gravel each ;)

Edit: forget that, I overlooked the fact that Nicky Grist and Cambrian are both Welsh gravel events!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cronin update & Cambrian preview

https://m.facebook.com/100058077101285/posts/294166755862559/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Got to back Matt Edwards on the Cambrian (his 'home event') plus he will be playing his Joker.

The online coverage should be good with a line-up of top reporters incl. Julian Porter broadcasting all day.

[AndyRAC]

Looking forward to Saturday; bought my ticket for Alwen about 2 weeks ago; should be good to be back in the forests watching rally cars.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Matthew Wilson
Sadly we have retired from the Cambrian Rally after an impact to the front of the car on SS1 Gwydir !

Keith Cronin Finish SS1:
We were off more than once on the first stage, the first mile was okay, after that I really struggled. I turned in to one right hander and there was no grip, we went into a bank.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Edwards fights back with fastest time on SS3 - game on with just 6.8s gap to Pryce.

Edit: Seems all over on SS4 with Edwards getting a puncture.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Edwards desperately trying to fix the Polo or the title battle is over !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FC9ROeuWYA0R-tL?format=jpg&name=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FC9Tj_PXoA4SUzb?format=jpg&name=medium

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Edwards made it through to the finish. Seems he still scored enough points to keep the title alive until Ulster.

[AndyRAC]

Really enjoyable event, my first event for nearly 2 years. That 'forest' smell when getting out the car in Alwen...

The weather forecast wasn't promising, and was raining heavily when I left home; but it got better, and in the end was sunny, but cool. Plenty of action, and entertainment. On the second run, car 51 went off...and wasn't coming out due to a broken right front wheel.

A slight 'moan', I saw a few people (and a few young kids) struggling through the undergrowth to get to their spectating spot; as it was an hour before first car, couldn't they be allowed to walk on the stage? I understand why, but it didn't look spectator friendly.

However, I have to say, for me, I think the ticketing system worked, but it seems there were problems; but the organisers provided lots of info, with stage maps, car park opening time - and their social media was fabulous!

[the sniper]

On the second run, car 51 went off...and wasn't coming out due to a broken right front wheel.

I guess we met or at least came close?! https://youtu.be/RTKVCPjL2P8 :D Were you up at the previous corner or around the corner, where they went off?

As has been said, I think we all got really lucky with the weather. Awful when I set from home, some bad aquaplaning on the Motorway, but (unusually!) the skies cleared as I turned towards Wales.

Has anybody seen anything of the offs that caused all the delays? It was quite a drawn out affair in the end, got back to the car just before the last of the light had gone. I hadn't imagined I'd have needed to bring the torch! I had quite a walk, having not been able to get a ticket. Driving away from Alwen there was quite a burst of rain, it held off just long enough!

Edwards unlucky again. Got to say that I would like to see Osian Pryce win the title, to reward him for his efforts.

[AndyRAC]

I was just around the corner.......

i think the delays were in the second running of Gwydyr; but I've no idea what happened - and the phone signal kept dropping out, so couldn't really see why. Fortunately, I had one of my bicycle front lights with me, in case there were delays for the dark walk back to the car.

[the sniper]

I was just around the corner.......

That was where I was heading originally, having watched some of the past onboards from GB, but I wasn't sure if most of them would come around it on rails on the second run. Hedged my bets by being able to see the previous corner too. Were you the one who came up to talk to the crew on the corner and tell them where to get a phone signal? I was the one slowing down the following cars.

[AndyRAC]

No, that wasn't me. I did think, that quite a few cars didn't back off enough....I think the triangle helped eventually.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

How Edwards saved his title bid:

https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/edwards-saves-third-brc-bid-with-engineering-masterclass/

Great work to patch-up the Polo but he was pretty lucky again in another way - like in Mull, there were few top competitors to take places off him. On the Cambrian Yates didnt enter and Wilson & Mellors were both out by SS2. Cronin was also out of contention early and struggling with testing his Hankook's.

But there again, Pryce has had two 'easy wins' after Edwards hit trouble on those two events.

The winner in Ulster taking the BRC title is probably fair.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mellors off and after !

https://youtu.be/Sq1NS_N12tM

[the sniper]

No, that wasn't me. I did think, that quite a few cars didn't back off enough....I think the triangle helped eventually.

Always the way unfortunately. Even with me stood in the middle of the track waving them down, I thought I was trying too hard until I noticed how little they were slowing down! :D

[the sniper]

Nice onboard from Osian Pryce in Gwydir, SS1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm9VG_p-OCM

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Official Cambrian highlights
https://youtu.be/VCI14wMVFzs

[HKSjbg]

It still comes across a bit too much like a documentary but overall the coverage is looking better. It helped that the Cambrian was looking suitably crisp and wintery though!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Winner takes all in Ulster...
https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/british-rally-championship-showdown-set-for-the-ulster-rally/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Just Devine...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FEkY2LHXwAELF_L?format=jpg&name=large

[wia5958]

Live stream from the ulster starts on their website at 8.20am and runs through till 6pm

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good to see the two top BRC boys beating the Irish on their own roads ! ;)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS2 - Edwards strikes back and the red and white Polo takes the lead.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Decent live coverage from the Ulster Rally and good to see it also on YT: :)

https://youtu.be/tMFo53PKL_Y

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Big stage win by Pryce on SS5. His Michelins working well in the wet and he re-takes the lead.

E. Edwards fights back again on SS6 - what a battle !!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS7 - Pryce has stopped on the tracking !!

E.BRC Breaking News

Osian Pryce and Noell O'Sullivan are stopped in SS8. Reports of an off but both crew out of the car and okay.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FEpwVdHXMAQbp4j?format=jpg&name=900x900

[Paul Hudson]

Tough Job for someone.
https://www.motorsportjobs.com/en/job/rally-manager

[the sniper]

Tough Job for someone.
https://www.motorsportjobs.com/en/job/rally-manager

Was this Ian Campbell's job? The role seems wider than the one he fulfilled.

[Paul Hudson]

I think BRC Manager was one of many roles Ian was involved with , he is a busy boy.

[Steve Boyd]

Was this Ian Campbell's job?

Has he left to replace Adamo? :)

[PLuto]

Has he left to replace Adamo? :)

He has left the position, but not to replace Adamo ;)

[Steve Boyd]

He has left the position, but not to replace Adamo ;)

Aren't you supposed to follow that with - "I know where he's going but I can't tell" :)