British & Irish Rally calendars 2023

[AndyRAC]

I suspect he means you can no longer play your way in and see where you are after a day or two; you have to be on the pace from the start. Like in Endurance Sportscar racing; they're all sprints nowadays - whether 6/12/24 Hours.

[HKSjbg]

Ahhhhh makes sense. I was just being pessimistic and assuming it was another British rally complaint :D

[Sal yet again]

You should know me better than that by now!

My point is that most of the top guys compete against each other on the BHRC regularly and the pace on the Albert now is like several one day events stitched together rather than one continuous marathon. Its a proper test for sure and I suspect there will be more than one UK driver fancying a pop at someone of Solberg's stature. It can only be a positive.

[AndyRAC]

Do we know who is co-driving for him? An experienced co-driver would be a massive help, especially in somewhere like Kielder, etc

[Sal yet again]

Elliott

[Steve Boyd]

Do we know who is co-driving for him? An experienced co-driver would be a massive help, especially in somewhere like Kielder, etcAn experienced co-driver will help but, now they allow organiser's approved route notes, it won't be as big a help as it was when the event was secret - unless Oliver opts to run as a "secret" competitor without any notes.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Will be very interesting to see how he does, he surely has to be favourite for the win, but can he keep it on the road?

Also, I imagine its the first rally he has done in a while without a recce, and with the number of very experienced crews entered, his lack of experience in Kielder and Scotland might make it tighter at the top of the times.

It's a proper test for any driver and especially if the conditions are bad which they often are. He clearly has great pace, but driving an Escort will be a lot different to his modern 4wd machinery. Plus he will be up against people with way more experience of the car as well as the stages.

I think his planned conservative approach will pay the best dividends.

[AndyRAC]

https://www.rallyyorkshire.co.uk/spectator-information/

No tickets to be bought on the gate; all online....

[the sniper]

https://www.rallyyorkshire.co.uk/spectator-information/

No tickets to be bought on the gate; all online....

In an area with poor phone signal... Happy to hand over cash, in fact rallies are one of the few things I carry notes for now, but I shan't be paying online, where some third party usually wants all your details too.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Fourmaux onboard in Dalby in the dark:

https://youtu.be/SMyKWqeqFp4?si=LaEyo-OcRwPdKBuS

[HKSjbg]

Fourmaux has won the Trackrod and the BRC, both expected to be honest!

https://dirtfish.com/rally/brc/fourmaux-crowned-british-rally-champion/

A shame that he won’t be at the Cambrian but completely understandable as it’s the same weekend as CER

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Congratulations to Fourmaux, he never put a wheel wrong all year despite new events and some very tricky conditions at times.

But this must be the most one-sided BRC Title win in the history of the Championship. As soon as Cronin pulled out it was all over as any sort of contest.

It's a crying shame how we have lost the top drivers we have (Edwards, Cave, Pryce) and the great battles we could've seen. And looking ahead, other than James Williams, I dont see much quality coming through.

[HKSjbg]

I think the quality of Fourmaux has at least made it worth watching this year. No one wants to see a championship be quite so one sided but I can still appreciate watching a world-class driver absolutely dominate.

He won’t be back, as it was all about developing the Fiesta Rally2 but it would be nice to see the BRC try and build on this for next year - which they won’t.

I don’t think this ‘Gentleman driver+’ status is doing anything for anybody. Either the BRC should just become clubman-length rallies again - but a mixed-surface championship to differentiate it from the BTRDA or ARC - or it should try to attract a field of drivers of Fourmaux’s calibre to elevate it to the same level and stature as BTCC, BSB, BGT et al

[AndyRAC]

I don’t think this ‘Gentleman driver+’ status is doing anything for anybody. Either the BRC should just become clubman-length rallies again - but a mixed-surface championship to differentiate it from the BTRDA or ARC - or it should try to attract a field of drivers of Fourmaux’s calibre to elevate it to the same level and stature as BTCC, BSB, BGT et al

I really don't know how they do this....and I suspect they don't know either.
Those who want to do it, can't afford it - whereas those who can, don't want to do it as it takes up too much of their time; hence the popularity of one day 45 mile events.

On another issue, I saw Meirion Evans commenting about the confusing running order on forestry events:

https://twitter.com/TheMeirionEvans/status/1705546922038010170

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Reverse seeding letting the slower 2wd crews go first, then the 4wd, makes sense. Plus the live coverage did the same split.

But after that it was a total mess with a mixture of cars from the different Championships coming through.

[HKSjbg]

According to ewrc-results next year’s Trackrod will be a week later, running on the final weekend of September.

Can we expect next year’s calendar revealed in about a month’s time like last year?

[Humber]

Another accident in Ireland.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/clare-motor-rally-halted-following-serious-incident-1530584.html

[bt52b]

RIP
https://www.thejournal.ie/man-killed-clare-motor-rally-named-damien-fleming-6177683-Sep2023/

[archie106]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/meeke-enters-the-roger-albert-clark-rally/

Kris Meeke entered for the RAC, going to be some event this year!

[AndyRAC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRrtsCfgcGA&ab_channel=BritishRallyChampionship

BRC - Trackrod Rally highlights......

[the sniper]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/meeke-enters-the-roger-albert-clark-rally/

Kris Meeke entered for the RAC, going to be some event this year!

And there's still at least two 'TBA' drivers left on the entry list, plus two more that are yet to pay their deposit. I wonder who's potentially left?! It would seem like Mikko Hirvonen's kind of thing... How about JM Latvala in a AE86 Toyota Corolla?! :D

[HKSjbg]

Could he enter in his ST165? Aren’t 4WD cars allowed if they’re pre-1991? I’m assuming that was the rule that allowed the Subaru Legacy and Galant VR-4 to enter in the past…

[the sniper]

Could he enter in his ST165? Aren’t 4WD cars allowed if they’re pre-1991? I’m assuming that was the rule that allowed the Subaru Legacy and Galant VR-4 to enter in the past…

I had thought about that, though I don't want to contemplate the storm it'll cause in our British rallying teacup if something post Group 4 era wins the RAC! Saying that, it'd be a bit of a walkover for him if he turned up in that. If there were more Group As, I'd be all for it though.

[Sal yet again]

Think the "overall" title would still go to a 2WD car if a tractor one though?! Arent 4WD and non-historic cars entered into the Open class?

On a separate RAC angle, there appears to be a rumour circulating that Kris Meeke will be using one of the TR7 V8 recreations that David Appleby Motorsport have built.

[AndyRAC]

I had thought about that, though I don't want to contemplate the storm it'll cause in our British rallying teacup if something post Group 4 era wins the RAC! Saying that, it'd be a bit of a walkover for him if he turned up in that. If there were more Group As, I'd be all for it though.

Anything post Group 4 is viewed as 'modern' in UK rallying......

[Fast Eddie WRC]

On a separate RAC angle, there appears to be a rumour circulating that Kris Meeke will be using one of the TR7 V8 recreations that David Appleby Motorsport have built.

I wish this was true !

But it was confirmed by Dirtfish that his entry is in a Wales Motorsport-prepared Ford Escort Mk2.

Anything that's different to the hoards of Escorts would be great. That's why I was so happy to see the 911 of Ryan Champion who I supported win it last year.

[Sal yet again]

https://southyorkshirestagesrally.co.uk/51-2/

Website is up for the latest UK closed road event around Penistone in South Yorkshire. Could be interesting road conditions with the time of year the rally is being held in!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cloc Main returns... but non-spectator :rolleyes:

https://www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk/news/cambrian-rally-announces-cloc-main-comeback/?fbclid=IwAR2lXq1jGfbSN7PPmPYTv9QJjFDHcPxIZtZlfh0I kwjCygTb7eQs2dcpkrg

[AndyRAC]

Why make a big announcement about it when it's non-spectator? It's a bit self defeating.....

[archie106]

I guess because they want to tempt more entries? Whilst its a non spectator stage, a lot of work has gone into being allowed to run it again, so it deserves an announcement I think.

[the sniper]

I guess because they want to tempt more entries? Whilst its a non spectator stage, a lot of work has gone into being allowed to run it again, so it deserves an announcement I think.

Surely anyone in a position to enter would have known?

[archie106]

Good point, just trying to rationalise it really. Great to see it back anyway, hopefully the wind farm management company are happy with how it runs so it can be open to spectators next year.

[AndyRAC]

Good point, just trying to rationalise it really.

Ha ha, trying to rationalise UK rallying can be hard most of the time.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wow... the perfect news for me !!!

BREAKING:
@ChrisIngramGB entered on @RACRMC in a works replica TR7 V8 !

[AndyRAC]

Good to see him out on the event - and not in an Escort......

[Sal yet again]

Great news re Ingram it was Chris not Kris the rumours should have picked up on!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ingram set for TR7 V8 challenge on Roger Albert Clark Rally

Former European Rally champion Chris Ingram is the latest star driver to join the entry list for the Roger Albert Clark Rally after confirming that he will tackle the rally in a Triumph TR7 V8 from David Appleby Engineering.

Ingram will drive the first of the replica works cars being built by Appleby’s team on the November 23-27 rally and hopes to take the fight to the Ford Escort Mk2s including those of Kris Meeke and Oliver Solberg.

The first of the batch of TR7 V8s is due for a shakedown test very shortly and will then test with Ingram, one of the UK’s leading drivers at international level.

Ingram said: “It will be an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience. Everyone's raving about how the rally is just like the old days and it will be five full days on legendary stages in a legendary car. It will be so much fun and a hell of a challenge. I've never done a rally in a historic car so it will be brilliant. We've got to go and try to win it!”

Long time marque expert Appleby is painstakingly producing the cars to exacting period specification using an ex-Tony Pond car as a benchmark, with most parts being re-manufactured.

Appleby said: “It’s something I’ve had a passion to do for a long time: a proper recreation of factory TR7 V8s. We’ve had one of the last works cars on loan to use as a datum and we’ve been able to take bits off, get them measured and scanned and remade. Everything is to original specification. We could have done a modern interpretation of the car, but what would be the point in that?”

Appleby explained his choice of driver: “We know we’ve got the talent in this country to compete at world level but for some reason we don’t give the backing to these young drivers. I’ve been watching Chris and what he’s done and I think it’s fantastic. He reminds me of Tony Pond in a lot of ways. He is more than capable of doing very well.”

[Steve Boyd]

Delighted it's now been confirmed - there was a teaser at the Stockport Motor Club 120th anniversary dinner back in March about the possibility of Chris in a TR.

I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on and, as I'll be working on results on the event, I'll be ideally placed to monitor his progress - if I can get above the numbers and see the bigger picture.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Meeke to.get seat time at the Carlisle Stages...

https://www.rallyinguk.info/post/kris-meeke-enters-carlisle-stages

[Sal yet again]

Thats good news as the Carlisle will have to be my mini RAC as due to incredibly bad planning it looks as though I will miss the November event. All I need now is Ingram to enter the Malton stages!

[Sal yet again]

Chris Ingram has appeared on the Sth Yorkshire Stages entry list in a Fiesta R5

[AndyRAC]

https://twitter.com/BRCrally/status/1711441397214306449

08:30 tomorrow morning - 2024 announcement.

[Sal yet again]

No forest rally in England in the championship and no Irish round even though Cronin amongst others were suggesting it would be good for competitor numbers..

[HKSjbg]

No forest rally in England in the championship and no Irish round even though Cronin amongst others were suggesting it would be good for competitor numbers..

Despite the Trackrod being just about the only one where the ‘extra’ mileage isn’t ever under threat of being dropped due to the high number of historic entrants…

[AndyRAC]

No forest rally in England in the championship and no Irish round even though Cronin amongst others were suggesting it would be good for competitor numbers..

The Malcolm Wilson is dropped after one year, no Trackrod either. The former Pirelli (Kielder Forest Stages) could be a candidate, but I doubt the organisers are interested. Which is the whole issue - it all seems like too much hassle.

[Sal yet again]

Hassle would appear to be the name of the game. The Trackrod being a round of both the BTRDA and BHRC doesnt appear to need the BRC and as mentioned above the Friday night run thru Dalby is ably supported by the Historics anyway. Just surprised that the MW was dropped bearing in mind MSPORT propping the interest up this year by entering Fourmaux.

[AndyRAC]

From memory didn't this year's MW use Greystoke three times? And non-spectator - meaning Whinlatter & Grizedale were the only spectator stages - and on roads that can get snarled up in no time. Events at BRC level have to be spectator friendly - and the MW probably wasn't.

[Sal yet again]

With the weather that effected the MW this year it was probably a bad year to be included! Trackrod are quite prescriptive with their spectator areas aswell so maybe that contributed to the omission from the '24 calendar.

[AndyRAC]

Yes, Trackrod doesn't have any double usage stages, which are 'spectator friendly' - and requires driving from Cropton to Dalby on the Saturday - after the Friday night in Dalby. I now much prefer staying at the same stage - and picking a different spot to watch from for both runs.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good to see Tom Cave (Polo R5) and Ollie Mellors (Iriz R5) among the entrants for the 2023 Cambrian Rally.

https://rallies.info/webentry/2023/cambrian/entries.php?type=u

[the sniper]

Another random stage question I've been meaning to look into, does anybody know where 'Esgair Berfaud' is on Friday of the RAC? The times could just about allow for a stage anywhere from Brechfa to Esgair Dafydd. I'd love it to be the latter, an 8km stage up there, over the Cwm Henog forestry trunk road, but suspect it may be something in Crychan? Apologies if I've missed something obvious.

Just to go back to this from July... Seems that was the correct guess, a little disappointingly: http://racrmc.org/roger-albert-clark-rally/spectator-information?fbclid=IwAR1EmcAf1emVurajtXig4XMyBTD7k 0FncySeF2u64TJVn1tHYY3V0Da_Bpo

[archie106]

Max McRae entered for the Cambrian in a Fabia R5, interesting to see how he does, first start in a Rally2/R5 car I believe.

[Sal yet again]

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/75030-mcrae-rally-challenge-2022/

Previously used a Fiesta R5

[Sal yet again]

https://www.facebook.com/MullRally/

Mull Rally already under way. The weather forecast for this weekend could make it even more "interesting" than normal!

[HKSjbg]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/what-next-the-reality-of-achieving-your-rallying-dream/

Interesting to read Osian Pryce’s thoughts on his part ERC season this year. Hopefully the partnership with Team Friulmotor will last into next year and allow him to show a better side of his ability in the ERC

[AndyRAC]

Pryce is the latest in a line of BRC winners who met a dead end. And the main reason is a lack of ££££. Trying to raise any sponsorship in the UK is a nightmare - and almost impossible. Hell, even ERC title winner Chris Ingram is still struggling to raise any ££££ to further is career.
The sport has fallen so far off the radar that sponsorship opportunities are rare.

In fact, I've often wondered why some of them don't try their hand at circuit racing......far more opportunities.

[HKSjbg]

In fact, I've often wondered why some of them don't try their hand at circuit racing......far more opportunities.

For the same reason they don’t do it in the first place; circuit racing is just going round and round in circles, not hurtling through the forest or along tight rural lanes :p

[AndyRAC]

There's always the Nordschleife though......

[PLuto]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/what-next-the-reality-of-achieving-your-rallying-dream/

Interesting to read Osian Pryce’s thoughts on his part ERC season this year. Hopefully the partnership with Team Friulmotor will last into next year and allow him to show a better side of his ability in the ERC

It is difficult to be champion at home. But if you are going abroad, it is even more difficult to be competitive on high places. Competition in ERC is very high and it is not easy to fight for lets say top 5. Especially when you are starting in the middle of the season, when all your rivals did plenty of events before and are in a good rhythm...

[Sal yet again]

The Irish have got the right idea exposing their young drivers to proper campaigns and getting some sponsors behind them.

Like a lot of things that are not so great in the UK is the hereditary arrogance that the likes of Jimmy McRae and Tony Pond etc used to be able to wipe the floor with the locals on some ERC rounds but that was back in the day of co-efficient rallies and multiple events in the season. Those days like most things for us have long since flown away and now its a proper championship even if the promoters have fully to wake up to that.

[Sal yet again]

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2023/carlisle/entries.php?type=s

Seeded entry list for this weekend's Carlisle Stages with Kris Meeke as first historic. Good RAC warm up in prospect!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The Irish have got the right idea exposing their young drivers to proper campaigns and getting some sponsors behind them.

Like a lot of things that are not so great in the UK is the hereditary arrogance that the likes of Jimmy McRae and Tony Pond etc used to be able to wipe the floor with the locals on some ERC rounds but that was back in the day of co-efficient rallies and multiple events in the season. Those days like most things for us have long since flown away and now its a proper championship even if the promoters have fully to wake up to that.

You're right about the Irish. How is it they can fund multiple young drivers in ERC and the UK cant even fund one ?

Re UK arrogance, I dont see that as the case nowadays. With no bias at all, I'm sure the likes of Matt Edwards, Tom Cave and Osian Pryce could be competitive in Europe given the funding and a fair opportunity.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Impressive win by Meeke on the Carlisle Stages. Especially considering his lack of experience in the Mk2 compared to Pritchard & McCormack and of the stages.

[HKSjbg]

So the Cambrian and Cambrian Interclub are going to be 74km and 65km long respectively.

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/79904-visit-conwy-cambrian-rally-2023/

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/80326-visit-conwy-cambrian-rally-interclub-2023/

It’s all very well and good saying at the start of the year:

“As the country’s premier rally championship, we made the decision to look to longer, tougher, and bigger events worthy of the BRC marker.”

…but it seems like actually making the BRC an attractive proposition to anybody above the clubman level is an afterthought. 6 entries in a BRC round? Yeah no problem, the rally organisers can just chop down the mileage a week or two before the event because we haven’t bothered doing a proper job of promoting what used to be the world’s premier domestic rally championship

[Paul Hudson]

So that's 45 miles and 40 miles long respectively,

[AndyRAC]

I'm afraid there isn't the will to do anything to change the status quo.....Far too much self interest. When the most successful championship, and event are both for Historics, you know there's a problem.

[HKSjbg]

What self interest though? Who or what is benefitting from the BRC being such a joke at times?

I feel for the Cambrian organisers (and other events), they’re probably sold this idea that the BRC is on it’s way back up, but actually the BRC event is probably hurting what it could be if it just ran as a BTRDA round again - because god forbid the BRC just ran the same 70km mileage as the interclub rally, a massive 9km more really separates the men from the boys :rolleyes:

I’m sure BRC manager Reece Tarren can barely comprehend how much more 9km is for the handful of entrants. And probably running Elsi three times is the ‘sting in the tail’ or some nonsense like that.

[AndyRAC]

I have sympathy with these organisers - they're the ones taking the risk - at BRC level that shouldn't be the case. The BRC 'piggy back' successful club/national events and let them do all the work........It might have worked once, but in 2023 with all the costs, it's not reasonable for clubs to take all the risk.

I've said before, if the MSUK/ BRC wants a successful series, maybe they should organise and run their own events.......they won't because nobody is interested - so they pick volunteer club run events instead.

The 'self interest' comment is that nobody wants to do anything to change the way things are done. It's the same thing year after year.....It needs a radical overhaul.....but won't.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's getting closer ! :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9Nvlw3WwAAzl8p?format=jpg&name=medium

[the sniper]

I know he's not universally popular, but credit to Tom Cave, very little time in a car over the last few years and comes back still on it, winning against an admittedly diminished level of competition. I've always felt he's pretty spectacular (by modern standards) to watch on the stages.

Nice onboard from him here on 'Hiraethog Trail' aka Clocaenog Main: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St2zPdRlC48 Seriously makes me miss Rally GB!

I was a good boy and stayed on the West side, but seriously hope we can get in the middle as spectators without shame next year... Good to see the Proton again too.

[Sal yet again]

Pity Chris isnt out on the Malton this weekend as wont get to see the RAC now due to v bad planning on my part! Car looks proper though rather than some of the bitza TR7 V8s we have seen in recent years. Wish him and the DAM team well on the event.

Malton seeded entry:

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2023/malton/entries.php?type=s

[AndyRAC]

Wait a minute - I thought Garry Pearson won the event.......;)

But seriously, a very good performance from Tom in his first event for a while - another driver who never really got the breaks. He needed to be called Tomi Cavenen......

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I was delighted to see Tom Cave out again in a proper car and showing he's still 'got it'. I really hope he can pull together a drive for next year.

Also good to see a very decent R5 gravel debut by Max McRae. Having him in the 2024 BRC would be a nice boost for it too.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/max-mcrae-ends-season-with-maiden-r5-podium/

[HKSjbg]

Yeah the ‘next generation of McRae’ is pretty much the only hope the BRC has got of something with genuine marketing value happening next year.

I hope he does do a full BRC season, because although I love a good moan and whinge about the state of the BRC, I do hope it does improve so we have a top quality domestic championship to follow :D

[archie106]

Osian Pryce entered for the RAC!

Another announcement tomorrow morning then the seeded entry list at midday.

Just keeps getting better

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Osian Pryce on FB...

Delighted to announce that I’ll be taking part in this years Roger Albert Clark Rally.

After some encouragement from the people around me in the last few weeks, I’ve decided to throw my hat into the ring last minute for this years event, and hopefully every minute of it. Having learnt so much from 2021’s event, I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to put all the correct ingredients together to ensure we have a good crack at it.

After 2 years out of a historic car, I’m excited to get my hands on the RALLYXTREME Ford Escort MK2 once again, with my best mate Rhodri Evans jumping in the Co Drivers seat calling the notes.

There’s nothing quite like this rally, legendary stages, strong competition, and a challenging 5 days of rallying.

Hopefully we can release some more information soon about who our sponsors and partners will be for the event. A couple of places left, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to be on board.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

RAC Seeded Entry

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2023/rac/entries.php?type=s

Thank God for the 911s, TR7 & Stratos.

[AndyRAC]

1st round of the Circuit Rally Championship - Neil Howard Stages at Oulton Park.....with live coverage on You Tube.

Prescott Rallye - at Prescott HillClimb....and will run into darkness......live coverage on You Tube.

[Sal yet again]

If you werent able to make it to the Malton Stages today find some footage online and turn up the volume when the Stratos appears! Dont know if Seb is revving it more than dad or they have some done some more work on the exhaust but man what a sound!

[AndyRAC]

A different type engine or exhaust layout possibly......

[HKSjbg]

Sounds very similar to Andy Burton’s Peugeot Cosworth - which was preceded by the Alfasud-Ferrari. Not that those two engines were related…

[Sal yet again]

A different type engine or exhaust layout possibly......

Suggested elsewhere that a different manifold/exhaust set up for the Ferrari V6 so hopefully one that will allow the motor to last five days of the treatment it was given on Sunday!

[Sal yet again]

Also interesting to see a Citroen DS3 R5 out in the woods which made a nice change to all the Festas.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If you werent able to make it to the Malton Stages today find some footage online and turn up the volume when the Stratos appears! Dont know if Seb is revving it more than dad or they have some done some more work on the exhaust but man what a sound!

Epic noise from the Stratos...

https://x.com/BritRallyMedia/status/1721491571483328762?s=20

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Also interesting to see a Citroen DS3 R5 out in the woods which made a nice change to all the Festas.

That is good to see (and hear)... they were always a great sounding little beast.

[Sal yet again]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of4SX2ncCtM

Was at the hairpin bend before the uphill straight in Cropton that features in the opening seconds of this video and the noise of the Stratos travelled all the way back down through the trees. It really was a privilege to hear it. Agree with you Eddie about the Citroen as both it and the Pug 208 T16 have a much angrier exhaust note than the Fords and Skodas

[AndyRAC]

The Citroens always did, especially from the Xsara WRC, and C4 WRC - a raspy, noisy sound. Whereas the Fords, whether Focus, or Fiesta were far more muted.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solberg looking rapid on his pre-RAC test...

https://x.com/OliverSolberg01/status/1722289900270006616?s=20

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It wasn't just me who thought so...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/inside-solbergs-rac-rally-test/

[Steve Boyd]

But will it last 5 days at that pace?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

But will it last 5 days at that pace?

The test was probably just to find the limits and he'll pull it back for the rally.

"Both of my eyes are absolutely on the finish. This will be the longest rally I ever competed on. It’s going to be fairly tough..."

[hutchie]

South Yorkshire Rally article appeared on BBC news, quick browse of social media and nothing overly negative I could find which is a positive.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-67380325

[HKSjbg]

Though as to be expected, the article is written in a slightly negative tone. They at least didn’t go over the top…

[hutchie]

South Yorkshire Stages Rally cancelled.

In light of a number of objections submitted to the local authority this week, we have made the decision to cancel the first ever South Yorkshire Stages Rally, due to take place on 10th December 2023. We are committed to community engagement for this event and have taken seriously the concerns raised by some of the residents in the area.
We would like to thank all of our supporters including the volunteers, residents, out-of-town visitors, Barnsley Council, other key organisations and our sponsor who have supported our planned event, and we are sorry to disappoint those who were looking forward to it.
We are extremely proud to have been involved in developing this project, which would have put Barnsley and Penistone on the international Motorsport map.
Sheffield and Hallamshire Motor Club

[AndyRAC]

Ah, the NIMBYS strike again........

[Sal yet again]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-67427236

Looks like the route was scheduled to pass near some stables or similar. Suspect someone with good connections put the kybosh on the event

A real shame after all the hard unpaid work by the volunteers from the club and a stellar entry had been assembled. After the cancellation this year the objectors will be emboldened and cant see it taking off anytime soon.

[Steve Boyd]

The BBC items had a negative spin.

Time for a "cancellation costs local economy millions" press release methinks!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Chris Ingram:

Awesome first drive of the David Appleby Engineering Triumph TR7 V8 ready for next weeks’ classic RAC Rally Roger Albert Clark Rally.

Massive thanks to the DAE team and their partners for such a unique and amazing opportunity to compete in this event in such an iconic and beautifully built machine.

The rally is 5 days long, 2 days in Wales then heading to Scotland and finishing in Carlisle.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_Fm72FX0AAWNTd?format=jpg&name=large

[the sniper]

Ah, the NIMBYS strike again........

People shouldn't be too eager to abandon the forests, better the devil you know...


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-67427236

Looks like the route was scheduled to pass near some stables or similar. Suspect someone with good connections put the kybosh on the event

"She added that some businesses had been forced to close." A rally a month away forced businesses to close...? And stories of horses being traumatised by vehicle noise of all sorts has been at the top of the NIMBY playlist for hundreds of years, so I can't help but be a little sceptical.

[AndyRAC]

I think plenty of us have said that 'closed road rallying' is not the panacea some people thought it was going to be. There were always going to be issues/ problems with residents not happy having roads closed for noisy rally cars......
This should have been done 25+ years ago, but as ever with UK rallying it wasn't.

Saying that, we really need a high profile closed road event in the South/ South East........Something the MSUK should be looking at doing......

[Paul Hudson]

Clacton was probably the best hope, and now that is not happening , They had there fair share of NIMBYS , to be fair.

[Sal yet again]

Chris Ingram:

Awesome first drive of the David Appleby Engineering Triumph TR7 V8 ready for next weeks’ classic RAC Rally Roger Albert Clark Rally.

Massive thanks to the DAE team and their partners for such a unique and amazing opportunity to compete in this event in such an iconic and beautifully built machine.

The rally is 5 days long, 2 days in Wales then heading to Scotland and finishing in Carlisle.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_Fm72FX0AAWNTd?format=jpg&name=large

Loving the fact that Chris and the team are all growing taches for Movember in a tribute to Pondy. What a nice touch..

[the sniper]

Grizedale Stages was today, but abandoned due to the snow Cumbria has had. They got through three stages, quite impressed the organisers gave it a go though. Nice video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyJNu5PZhGs

Another win for the Proton R5, for the record books... :D

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/81141-coppermines-grizedale-stages-rally-2023/

[HKSjbg]

That's both rallies in the Lakes this year severely affected by snow! Let's hope for better luck next year for the Malcolm Wilson and the Grizedale Stages


Grizedale Stages was today, but abandoned due to the snow Cumbria has had. They got through three stages, quite impressed the organisers gave it a go though. Nice video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyJNu5PZhGs

Another win for the Proton R5, for the record books... :D

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/81141-coppermines-grizedale-stages-rally-2023/

Cool to see the DS3 R5 in Abu Dhabi livery, but I'm also confused by car #12 - Robert Adamson. It appears to be a 'works' Ford livery with MS-RT, Ford and Ecoboost logos but the colour scheme is not an official M-Sport livery as far as I'm aware. Whatever the reason behind it, it looks cool!

[the sniper]

Cool to see the DS3 R5 in Abu Dhabi livery, but I'm also confused by car #12 - Robert Adamson. It appears to be a 'works' Ford livery with MS-RT, Ford and Ecoboost logos but the colour scheme is not an official M-Sport livery as far as I'm aware. Whatever the reason behind it, it looks cool!

Yeah that faux M-Sport livery is something, isn't it. A lot of effort seems to have gone into it, far better than all over white!

It'll be interesting to see how often we see that DS3 in future. The Driver has just returned to the sport after a lengthy driving ban, comes from a wealthy background, so hopefully we'll see it regularly. Seems to be a Citroen guy, so maybe the best chance we've got to see a C3 in future...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It was certainly pretty extreme in Grizedale when you read the report in The Mirror !

"Mike, who works as a waiter at Centre Parcs, said his family had gone to the mountainous Grizedale Rally during the morning from their home in Alston, Cumbria. They had parked with other spectators on the verges of the road before watching the cars take to the rough tracks, which had already been hit with some snow.

But when they decided to leave just before noon, fearing the wintry conditions, a blizzard made the narrow roads completely impassable. Mike said: “We got back to the car at 11.40am, and we didn’t leave the mountain until 7.20pm. I think there are 30 cars still stuck on top of the mountain. It's absolutely mental. It was just forestry roads where everyone was parking on the verge. A local farmer came and pulled most of the cars out.

"But then the police got involved in the evening and advised everyone to abandon their cars and come back down for health and safety reasons. Mountain Rescue teams were up there as well advising everyone to come back down out the way. I would say two and a half foot of snow fell, easily.

"We took it all off the top of the car and within an hour, there was a good seven inches on top of the car again. Last night, another eight inches fell on top of that as well.”

[HKSjbg]

The Galway International seems to have quietly returned to the Irish calendar - I can’t find any news stories since the summer when it appeared to not be running in 2024 but it now has a 2024 date on the official website.

Also, the ITRC calendar is up on eWRC but seems incomplete: https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2024/31-ireland-tarmac/

The two NI rounds are on the calendar but without a round # as they were for the last couple of weeks, Cork 20 appears to be two counting rounds and West Cork hasn’t been added - though the event itself is on the eWRC calendar. Nothing official on the ITRC website yet though so don’t know what to make of it…

[HKSjbg]

From the West Cork Rally twitter page:


We have news for 2024...but we're not quite going to tell you just yet!


Stay tuned to the West Cork Rally website and socials at 3.33pm on Thursday, and make sure to keep an eye out for the
@SouthernStarIRL
that morning for some front-page news!

West Cork Rally 2024, you're definitely not gonna want to miss this!!!

I wonder what it could be considering all the major championship (bar the ITRC) have confirmed their calendars, and being included on the ITRC calendar, when released, would be no revelation at all…

Candidate event for a WRC Rally Ireland perhaps?

[HKSjbg]

All it turned out to be was West Cork Rally becoming a 3-day event!

https://twitter.com/westcorkrally/status/1735325059139371109

Still no official word on the ITRC calendar but I found this article from 2 days ago - which already had West Cork down as a 3-dayer anyway! And it sort of clears up what was going on with Galway.

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/galway-rally-will-kick-off-irish-tarmac-championship-in-february-PLAZ2XXQTRCKTMAPEK2UWPSRLM/

Strangely Cork 20 looks to have been returned to the season finale on the final weekend on September, though I can’t find any confirmation of this elsewhere. It would be sensible however because the season finishing in mid-late August is just ridiculous

[satnav]

The ITRC calendar was announced on Kerry Motorsport news a while back, there's also news on today with regards to Sean Hayde taking on the championship manager role,

https://kerrymotorsportnews.com/2023/12/14/well-known-co-driver-sean-hayde-appointed-irish-tarmac-rally-championship-manager/?fbclid=IwAR15xgVTZ0DBJhZyB3FuZ_C6J2DvKH6rNwa2p0uB fJAtRFIyCLqQI3GW6vI

[satnav]

2024 Draft Irish calendar
Very much a DRAFT....

Some confirmed dates here ;
https://rallyinsight.com/2023/12/15/2024-motorsport-ireland-rally-dates/