Retson announces Junior BRC assault in latest M-Sport Fiesta

Rising Scottish rally driver Finlay Retson will take the next step of his career in 2019 by launching an assault on the Junior British Rally Championship behind the wheel of a brand new M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2.

The Blairgowrie ace narrowly missed out on taking the Cadet Cup title last season in an older generation Fiesta, but thanks to the support of his backers, will be using the latest specification Ford direct from the factory in Poland.

Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship doubles its LIVE web-streaming broadcasts for 2019

The Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship will double its LIVE web-streaming broadcasts this year, with two camera crews on all events and the stage action footage shown as it happens on the Special Stage social media platforms.

Classic Minis to party at Silverstone

– Diamond jubilee festivities on- and off-track
– 60th birthday acclaimed with track parade and display showcase
– Special ‘Celebration Package’ open to owners of all pre-2001 Minis

Mini owners are being offered a fantastic opportunity to be part of the idolised little car’s unmissable 60th birthday party at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July).

Doubla Champion Rees up for SOL Rally Barbados

Sol Rally Barbados regular Paul Rees has confirmed his participation in this year’s 30th running of the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) premier event fresh from his most successful season yet in UK rallying. Having won two regional championships outright, he and co-driver Paul Briggs celebrated the first of those last Saturday (January 26) at the East Midlands Association of Motor Clubs (EMAMC) Annual Awards Dinner, close to their home town of Mansfield.

In addition to the Overall Driver and Overall Co-driver trophies, they also collected the award for top Vauxhall in the 1600cc Astra in which they will contest Sol RB19. They have also achieved the double in the Association of North East Midlands Motor Clubs (ANEMMC) Championship, so will be heading for a second night of celebration in March.

Preview day provides free track testing for Silverstone Classic competitors

– Annual curtain-raiser set for Wednesday 10 April
– Pre-season testing available on full Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit
– Online media accreditation now open for the 2019 Silverstone Classic

Competitors gearing up for another landmark Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) are once again being offered a welcome day of free track testing in advance of this summer’s spectacular three-day event.

McLaren 720S GT3 to run with new GT3 customer team in Japan

– New McLaren 720S GT3 confirmed for entry into 2019 Super GT300 championship and 2019 Super Taikyu Series, including entry into the Suzuka 10 Hours
– 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Seiji Ara, reunited with legendary team owner Kazumichi Goh
– Iconic neon pink and graphite McLaren F1 GTR livery re-imagined for two-car, multi-championship effort

Jean-Éric Vergne wins the Grand Prix du Festival award at the Festival Automobile International

Yesterday on 29 January 2019, reigning ABB FIA Formula E Champion, Jean-Éric Vergne, was presented with the Grand Prix du Festival award at the 34th edition of the Festival Automobile International (FAI) in Les Invalides in Paris for his achievement in winning the Season Four Drivers’ Championship. Previous FAI winners include Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Jacky Ickx.

WTCR Quartet Complete: Benjamin Leuchter to drive fourth Golf GTi TCR

– Benjamin Leuchter (D) moves from TCR Germany to the FIA World Touring Car Cup
– Nordschleife expert was involved in the development of the Golf GTI TCR1)
– Volkswagen and Sébastien Loeb Racing opt for international driver team in WTCR

The driver quartet of Volkswagen and Sébastien Loeb Racing for the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup is complete: Benjamin Leuchter (D) moves from ADAC TCR Germany to the pinnacle of touring car racing and will compete in the Golf GTI TCR alongside his team-mates Mehdi Bennani (MA), Rob Huff (GB) and Johan Kristoffersson (S). Sébastien Loeb Racing will field four cars supported by Volkswagen for the first time in 2019.

Yates enjoys career-best result at legendary Rallye Monte Carlo

British rally driver Rhys Yates drove “one of the best events of his life” to finish fourth in the WRC2 category at the momentous Rallye Monte Carlo last week, kick-starting his 2019 World Rally Championship campaign (24th – 27th January).

Known as one of the most difficult events in the World Rally Championship calendar, “Monte’s” reputation is etched in the history books for claiming some of the best drivers in the sport.

Samsonas Rally Fivemiletown Launched at St. Mary’s Primary School

Omagh Motor Club launched its upcoming Samsonas Rally Fivemiletown (16 February) at St. Mary’s Primary School last week where students had the opportunity to enter a colouring competition!

Students Jayden, Cormac and Dara were selected as the top three, with Jayden’s Subaru World Rally Team inspired design chosen as the overall winner. They each received t-shirts with their designs printed on the rear.

All students were treated to a presentation about motorsport by motor club representatives, Niall Mc Gonigle and Ryan Darcy, who teamed up with competitors Shane McGirr, Martin Cairns and Motorsport UK’s Regional Development Officer, Jonathan MacDonald.