Network Q Rally Revival

It was a little bit something different for a rare chance to enjoy some motorsport on a leap year day as we took in the Network Q Rally Revival. It all started in Chester with a variety of road sections, mixed in with closed sections on private grounds. With the ford at Nant Mill overflowing the crews were re-routed and we picked them up on the World’s End section where the pot holed road had plenty of standing water. A drive down to Weston Park followed before we hot footed it up to Oulton Park for 2 runs around the rally school track and it proved to be an entertaining day.

BTRDA and Scottish champion Euan Thorburn to contest 2020 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship

The reigning BTRDA Gold Star and Scottish Rally Champion Euan Thorburn will contest this year’s Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship.

The 33-year old Duns-based driver had a sensational season last year, winning nine of the 10 rallies he entered and finishing second on the other. That saw him win the BTRDA Series title for a second time (2013 and ’19) and the Scottish Rally Championship title for a third time (2014, ‘17 and ’19).

His Ford Focus WRC05 has been completely rebuilt over the winter and put into asphalt spec ahead of the opening round of Britain’s premier sealed-surface series, the Legend Fires North West Stages Rally in Lancashire on Saturday 21 March.

Reis Race Retro 2020 secures a podium finish as enthusiasts say it was the ‘Best ever’

Reis Race Retro, Europe’s number one historic motorsport show, secured a ‘podium finish’ with enthusiasts who braved the inclement weather over the weekend and hailed the 2020 event ‘the best ever.’

With over 140 rally cars in action, a stellar line-up of celebrity drivers and guests, over 24,200 attendees visited Warwickshire’s Stoneleigh Park for the annual celebration.

Manx Rally announces a new look for 2020

Manx Auto Sport has released their regulations for the forthcoming Manx Rally this week, announcing a new-look to their exciting weekend of flat-out action on 15th/16th May 2020.

With online entries set to open on 1st March at 7.00 pm, crews from across the UK, Ireland and Europe will have the opportunity to digest the outline details of the popular closed-road event.

World RX expands broadcast coverage

The FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy will be broadcast live and in full on the SPORT1 platform throughout the 2020 season.

The multi-year agreement will provide World RX with access to over 33 million households throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Coverage will also appear on the Sport1.de digital channel.

“By extending our exclusive rights to the FIA World Rallycross Championship until 2022, we are strengthening our portfolio as the ‘Home of Motorsport’ in the long term,” Daniel von Busse, COO TV and member of the board of Sport1 GmbH, said.

Mellors gives Proton Iriz R5 maiden Irish podium at Birr Stages

The Proton Iriz R5 took its first Irish podium result at the weekend as Ollie Mellors secured a confidence-boosting third overall at the Birr Stages Rally (23 February) against top Irish Tarmac Rally Championship regulars.

Mellors, who was competing on asphalt for the first time in four years, overcame several hold-ups to set a string of top three times in the Thornbridge Brewery, Reliable Vehicle Logistics and Michelin backed Iriz R5 to take the final podium place across the treacherously wet Irish lanes.

Geoff Taylor Sporting Trial

Despite the recent constant rainfall the well drained soil meant the hills used on the Geoff Taylor were not as bad as they could have been and it was Josh & Tristan Veale (Sherpa) who led Richard & Joe Sharp (Cartwright) by a single point, after round 1. Ian & Sandy Veale (Sherpa) set the lowest score of round 2 to make it a three way tie on 10 points with one round to go. Josh had a poor 3rd round dropping to 4th overall and it his father Ian who set the joint lowest score with the Sharp’s, taking victory on countback. Completing the podium in 3rd were John Fack & Paul Leyser (MSR).

Latvian visitors win the Samsonas Fivemiletown Rally

Latvia’s Janis Vorobjvos and Ivo Pukis have won the Samsonas Fivemiletown Rally, round one of the McGrady Insurance NI Forest Rally Challenge!

Driving their BMW M3X for the first time, the crew claimed a last gasp victory by five seconds after an intense battle with the Fiesta R5 belonging to Cathan McCourt and Barry McNulty.

Race Retro – Rally Stage

Blustery winds and the odd squally shower hit the rally stage on this years Race Retro. With better spectator viewing the weather did not put off the spectators, for the 1st run at least, as well over 100 different cars tackled the main feature stage and the rally rides stage. With everything from contemporary R5’s through to Group A, Kit cars, Group B, Group 4, Land Crabs and many more, there was a huge variety of cars on display. Didier Auriol was the main name from the past who put in several runs in the Sierra Cosworth, whilst 2019 ERC Champion Chris Ingram was present to have a play in a few cars too.

More 4WD entries for SOL Rally Barbados 2020

Alongside the steady growth in the FIA R5 class for Sol Rally Barbados 2020, there is continued support for the more traditional four-wheel-drive classes. Confirmed today are entries for Ireland’s Peter Gallagher and Rupert Lomax from North Wales, each of whom will campaign a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI in the Modified 4 class, carrying the 4wd entries already posted on-line into double figures.

The 31st running of the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) premier event, round three of the 2020 FIA NACAM Championship, is scheduled for Friday to Sunday, May 29 to 31, with The Rally Show and Flow King of the Hill the previous weekend.