Exciting new-look calendar of events announced for the 2023 Protyre BTRDA Asphalt Rally Championship

A new-look calendar of events for the 2023 Protyre BTRDA Asphalt Rally Championship in association with Motorsport News has been announced* – with seven rallies/eight scoring rounds taking place over nine months and a good geographical spread of events designed to attract competitors from all regions of the UK.

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Steve Wood clinches the 2022 Protyre MSUK Asphalt Rally Championship title after a battle royal on the Isle of Man

Steve Wood has clinched the 2022 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship title after a battle royal on the final round of the series, the Best Cars Chris Kelly Memorial Manx Stages.

Co-driven by Dale Bowen, the Aberystwyth driver was lying third after an extremely wet and stormy start, which had seen rivers of water running down some sections of the famous Isle of Man stages on Friday’s opening two legs.

Despite a misfire in his City East Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Wood completed the third and final leg on a much drier Saturday to finish second – which was enough to secure him the UK’s premier sealed-surface title, the Protyre Trophy and prestigious BTRDA Gold Star award.

Chris Kelly Memorial Rally

The conclusion of the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship saw 3 drivers fighting for the title. It would have been 4 had the Three Shires not been cancelled, as the countback denied Neil Roskell the chance to fight for the title he won in 2021. Mark Kelly & Neil Colman (Fabia R5) were fastest through SS1 and with SS2 cancelled they continued on through the rain soaked and flooded stages to the frist running of the Lhen. They went off in the appauling conditions and handed the lead to Peter Taylor & Jack Morton (Fiesta WRC). Neil Roskell & Andrew Roughead (Fiesta R5) had a point to prove and they went fastest through SS4 to grab the lead from Taylor.

Three amigos battle for the overall Protyre MSUK Asphalt Rally Championship title on the Isle of Man

Steve Wood, John Stone and Mark Kelly will head to the final round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, the Chris Kelly Memorial Manx Stages (30 September/1 October), aiming to become the overall 2022 driver’s champion – and clinch the Protyre Trophy and prestigious BTRDA Gold Star award.

It will be an intriguing battle, as all three drivers have varying degrees of experience on the Isle of Man.

Organisers reluctantly cancel the Hills Ford 3 Shires Stages

It’s with regret that Cheltenham Motor Club has decided to cancel the 2022 Hills Ford 3 Shires Stages due to complications in procuring an alternative date. The club had previously agreed to postpone the event as it would otherwise have occurred during the period of national mourning linked to the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

While the organisers had planned to look for an alternative date for the two-day rally, they could not find anything suitable. As a qualifying round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship and other series, this event is very complex and requires a lot of planning. As a rally that features tests over closed public roads, the organisers must consult with various bodies and seek high-level permission before finalising road-closing orders.

Statement from the Organisers of the 3 Shires Stages Rally

The board and members of Cheltenham Motor Club wish to offer their sincere condolences to the Royal Family following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As the organisers of the Hills Ford 3 Shires Stages (September 17/18), scheduled to take place during the period of national mourning, the club has decided to postpone the event until a future date.

“As a mark of respect, we feel it would be inappropriate to continue with the running of the event whilst the country is in a state of mourning,” states Alyn Edwards, clerk-of-the-course. “The club gives full consideration to residents’ emotions at this time and believes postponing the rally and looking for an alternative date over the next few months will be the most sensible route for everyone. We hope this will assist residents through this very sad time,” adds Kevin C Smith, Event Director and Chairman of Cheltenham Motor Club.

Rali Ceredigion

The 2nd running of Rali Ceredigion saw the BRC tackle the closed roads and they were joined by former Hyundai WRC driver, Hayden Paddon. Paddon, co-driven by Jared Hudson (i20 R5), went fastest through the opening two sea front tests before Keith Cronin & Mikie Galvin (Polo R5) went fastest on SS3, taking the rally lead. The final stage of 4 would not prove so good for Cronin as he crashed out and most crews were given notional times. Paddon then took over the lead and 6 fastest times from the 8 stages on the Sunday saw him take victory by just under 40s. Osian Pryce & Noel O’Sullivan (Polo R5) were 2nd and 1st BRC crew home with James Williams & Dai Roberts (i20 N Rally2) completing the podium.

Battle for the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship title to intensify on the closed roads of Rali Ceredigion

With four different winners from the first four events, the battle for the 2022 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship title is set to intensify when the two-day Get Connected Rali Ceredigion (3/4 September) gets underway.

It’s the first time that Wales’ only closed road stage rally has hosted a round of the UK’s premier sealed-surface series – and with three rounds remaining, it comes at a crucial time in the battle for the overall and class honours.

Chris Kelly Memorial Manx Stages offers tough island test

Manx Auto Sport has launched details of their popular autumn rally, as the Chris Kelly Memorial Manx Stages [30 September – 1 October] is announced.

Wood becomes fourth Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship event winner this year after Down Rally triumph

Steve Wood has become the fourth different winner in as many rounds of the 2022 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship after scoring maximum points on the Carryduff Forklift Down Rally (Saturday 23 July).

Co-driven by Kenny Hull, the Welshman used all his experience of Irish closed road stage rallying to master the fantastic Bucks Head, Lough Erne, Drumaknocken and Hamilton’s Folly stages – particularly in the morning loop which was damp and incredibly slippery, causing an overshoot on SS2 – to finish 34.5 seconds clear of his nearest sealed-surface series rival. The result moves him up to third in the drivers’ standings.