Yates aims for solid Rally Sweden finish

Brettex Skoda Fabia R5 driver Rhys Yates will be looking to build on his impressive Rallye Monte Carlo result this week as he heads to round two of the FIA World Rally Championship, Rally Sweden (14th – 17th February).

Yates secured the best result of his career in France last month, clinching fourth place at the opening round of the WRC2 series, overcoming some of the most difficult conditions to enjoy a trouble-free run to finish just shy of the podium on his debut.

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Motorsport takes another positive step in insurance threat

The Vnuk insurance issue threatening motorsport took another positive turn today, as the European Parliament formally adopted a new proposal excluding motorsport from the Motor Insurance Directive (MID).

Vnuk is a 2014 European Curt judgement, ruling that the requirement for compulsory insurance should cover any use of a vehicle, so long as that use is consistent with the normal function of the vehicle. This would require all competition cars in motorsport to have compulsory third party insurance.

In January, the European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee (IMCO) approved a report recommending that motorsport should not be impacted by Vnuk. Today, the Parliament formally adopted the amended proposal by 562 votes to 36, with 19 abstentions.

That’s amore: Antonio helps Kimi and adds the final piece of the puzzle at Alfa Romeo Racing’s Valentine’s Day Shakedown

Love was in the air today as Alfa Romeo Racing came together at Fiorano Circuit on Valentine’s Day to see the 2019 car in action for the first time. While Kimi Räikkönen was busy preparing the car with a special “love” livery for the test session, his team mate Antonio Giovinazzi made his way to the airport to retrieve the final part needed for the team to assemble the car and head out onto the track. The team completed a total of 33 laps within a 100-kilometer limit in preparation for the upcoming tests in Barcelona. Alfa Romeo Racing will reveal the 2019 car and livery on the 18th February at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya at 8.20 a.m. CET.

Bell secures last-minute deal to drive EDSL Sport Fiesta R2 at BRC opener

Rising 19-year-old rally driver Ruairi Bell will drive an M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2 in the opening round of the Junior British Rally Championship (JBRC) this weekend after closing a deal to drive an EDSL Sport run machine on the Cambrian Rally (16th February).

Bell, from London, will mount an assault on ultra-competitive Junior BRC and compete for a prize worth over 60,000 Euros towards a season in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2020 which has been provided by M-Sport and Pirelli. The youngster has enlisted reigning British Rally Champion Darren Garrod to co-drive for the season.