2011 BRCC ready for the green light

With the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship already underway, Bulldog International Rally North Wales plays host to its support series, the BRC Challenge, as the Bulldog Challenge Rally kicks off in a week’s time.

The event, based at the Welshpool Livestock Centre on the outskirts of the town, takes place on Saturday 2nd April in the infamous forests of North and Mid Wales.

However the rally kicks off with a ceremonial start in Welshpool town centre on the Friday night, giving fans and spectators alike the chance to get up close and personal with the drivers and their machines, before the action commences in earnest on the Saturday morning.

And it’s the Saturday that sees the crews from all four corners of the British Isles tackle some of the best, most difficult and challenging stages in world rallying.

The BRC Challenge has offered the best quality competitive stage miles in the UK at an affordable cost for some years now, and 2011 looks to be no different.

With a prize fund for the winner that gives a realistic possibility to challenge the best young drivers in the world in the main Dulux Trade BRC, the Challenge offers drivers the chance to realise a dream and potential.

Such a stepping stone towards the elite level in rallying is always something worth fighting for, and last season was no exception. Three drivers entered the final showdown in the forests of Yorkshire with a chance of becoming Challenge Champion 2010.

Northampton student Callum Black came out on top and is now testing his skills and showing his potential in the Formula 2 category of the Dulux Trade British Rally Championship, where he currently lies in third place after the season opener.

To supplement the 2011 championship, this year sees the introduction of the Super 1000 series that has proved so popular with young drivers and co-drivers alike, adding another rung to the ladder of domestic rallying.

Open to two wheel drive cars only with no need for homologation, the BRC Challenge has something for all competitors including the chance to tackle the famous gravel stages of North Wales to the tarmac of the Isle of Man and the Antrim coast.

The series also welcomes back the Fiesta SportChallenge which provided such close entertainment last year and acts as a championship within a championship.

The Bulldog Challenge Rally provides round two for the Fiesta SportChallenge after they got their season underway on the Malcolm Wilson Rally in Cumbria at the beginning of March. Victory on the event went to Phil Scholes and Bradley Johnson who narrowly beat Andrew Wheatley and Simon Hudspeth into second place with a hard charging Alex Parpottas and John Connor in third.

But it will be Damien Smith and Frazer Hutchinson looking to get their season started in the Welsh forests after a cruel finish to their Malcolm Wilson rally. The Yorkshiremen who set the stages alight early on, setting fastest times on three of the opening four stages lead the pack from the start until a broken driveshaft forced them to retire within sight of the finish.

With several of last year’s drivers choosing to move up to the DTBRC, the Challenge sees plenty of new faces this year challenging to become 2011 champion, including the only all female crew of Becky Kirvan and Kaz Martin.

The DTBRC support series is proving to be a vital bridge for drivers wanting to showcase their talent and progress further up the motorsport ladder. With nearly thirty registered drivers this year, the 2011 title is going to be a hard fought affair over the next seven months, with the winner having to earn his or her title the hard way.

For more information on the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk