Van Gisbergen wins World RX eSports opener

New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen dominated the first round in a new series of virtual FIA World Rallycross Championship events at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi to secure victory and take the points lead.

The Australian Supercars star took a clean-sweep of qualifying race wins in the World RX Esports Series where his rivals included drivers from World RX to Formula 1 and GT racing, the event run on DiRT Rally 2.0™ in partnership with esports specialist Motorsport Games, and DiRT video game publisher Codemasters.

The Ford Parts Cheviot Stages Rally announcement

Whickham & District Motor Club Ltd and Hadrian Motorsports Club Ltd, joint organisers of the Ford Parts Cheviot Stages Rally, regret to announce that following a meeting of the organising team, the decision has been taken to cancel this year’s event due to the continued uncertainties surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic. The event was scheduled to take place on the Otterburn Military Ranges on the 27th September 2020.

Huge entry for RallyE-Barbados 2020 this weekend

More than 200 entries have been received for the inaugural RallyE-Barbados, which is being hosted this weekend (May 29-31) by the on-line rally group, Carib Rally Club (CRC), on Codemasters’ Dirt Rally 2.0 game. The venture, which is endorsed by the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), follows the successful running of King of thE Hill last Sunday (May 24), which was won by Jeremy Gonsalves of Barbados.

Judging by the entry list, the Esports event looks set to reflect the high levels of competition seen in the Rally Club’s premier event in recent years. Previous winners including Roger and Dane Skeete and front-runners like Britain’s Roger Duckworth and Rob Swann will face an international field including Finnish ex-Formula 1 driver Mika Salo, the reigning FIA European Rally Champion Chris Ingram and 2016 DriveDMACK Fiesta Trophy winner Osian Pryce from Wales.

Nissan Navara gets 1000hp GT-R heart and soul

SB Motorsport, the company behind Europe’s wildest Nissan GT-R Drift car build are taking full advantage of workshop downtime and using it to plan the launch of its most challenging build to date – a GT-R powered Nissan Navara. Nissan’s workhorse is about to meet its flagship engine product, The VR38 twin-turbo GT-R engine as the team will replace the standard diesel option for a performance punching engine package from the infamous GT-R sports car, cultivating a pick-up with over 1000hp on tap.

No stranger to undertaking big challenges, Essex (UK) based, SB Motorsport have a proven track record in outrageous builds and delivering products to global recognition. Their previous Nissan GT-R drift car (#LSXR35) claimed worldly accolades and has been seen in multiple online videos racking up millions of views since its launch back in 2017.

Motorsport UK opens throttle on restarting motorsport

Motorsport UK has announced that in anticipation of motorsport restarting in the UK from 4 July, it is inviting permit applications from 1 June.

Motorsport is currently suspended throughout the UK until 30 June 2020. Following ongoing positive dialogue with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and having set out its strategy and anticipated conditions for restarting motorsport disciplines, the governing body is now moving to its next phase of getting the sport back on track.

Any resumption of motorsport is contingent on event organisers demonstrating that they can plan in accordance with the guidelines of Motorsport UK, while respecting government guidance on social distancing.

News from SOL Rally Barbados 2020

Although the coronavirus pandemic has caused the postponement of Flow King of the Hill and Sol Rally Barbados, scheduled for the coming two weekends (May 24 & May 29-31), there will be something new for competitors and spectators to savour. The on-line rally group, Carib Rally Club, will be hosting RallyE-Barbados 2020 on Codemasters’ Dirt Rally 2.0 game with the full support and authorisation of the Barbados Rally Club (BRC).

King of the Hill will take place this Sunday (May 24), when drivers will have between 8.00am and 11.59pm Barbados time to complete four runs, with the fastest counting toward the results. RallyE-Barbados 2020 will run from May 29 to 31, covering 25 special stages, three on Friday night, 12 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday. Bespoke prizewinner’s hats carrying the event logo will be awarded to the top three overall in each event and the top three in each of two classes, Wheel and Control; the BRC has agreed to cover the cost of these and of delivery to the winners.

Rally North Wales Statement – Event Cancelled

Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club regret to announce the North Wales Rally Services Rally North Wales is forced to cancel its 2020 running of the event due to uncertainties surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic.

After being forced to postpone the Dolgellau based event which was originally planned for the 28th March until November, the event organising team have been closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation.

World RX of France cancelled

In light of continued health concerns regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the organiser of the Bretagne World Rallycross of France at Loheac, scheduled to take place on 5-6 September, has taken the decision to cancel the event, with the health and safety of everyone involved remaining the priority.

World RX announces further eSports events

Building on the success of its previous two standalone rallycross esports events, IMG, the promoter of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, is launching a series of further DiRT Rally 2.0™ events in partnership with esports specialist Motorsport Games, and DiRT video game publisher Codemasters.

Motorsport UK announces new Electrified Vehicle regulations

Motorsport UK has issued full Electrified Vehicle technical and safety regulations for the first time as part of its focus on creating a sustainable future for the sport.

One of Motorsport UK’s key investment pillars focuses on innovation, and a framework for Electrified Vehicles has been in development as a major element of this investment. There are now clear plans to roll out training and allow the new regulations to be implemented. Motorsport UK is the first motorsport National Governing Body to fully develop regulations in this area.

The framework and regulations are developed by the Motorsport UK Executive and Technical Committee, with assistance from industry experts, and they cater for all types of Electrified Vehicles including hybrid and full battery electric. They will now allow Motorsport UK to create new future categories for motorsport competition.