Henderson’s dream comes true as he takes Protyre MSUK Asphalt Rally Championship victory on the East Riding Stages

David Henderson has taken the initial lead of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship after winning the opening round of the 2023 sealed-surface series, the Reed Group East Riding Stages, in his Keco/PAR Petroleum-backed Ford Fiesta Rally2.

It was a titanic battle for victory, with the top three finishers covered by just 10 seconds.

Co-driven by Chris Lees, Henderson was seeded at number one and ran first on the road – which was a tricky starting position, given the East Yorkshire lanes were damp and extremely slippery in the morning and he had elected to go out on Michelin slick tyres.

Advertisement

Steve Wood begins Protyre MSUK Asphalt Rally Championship title defence on the East Riding Stages

Steve Wood will begin his Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship title defence on the Reed Group East Riding Stages (Sunday 26 February) – and like all the events in last year’s calendar, this year’s opening round will be completely new to him.

The Aberystwyth driver will also start the season without his regular co-driver Dale Bowen, who is contesting another event in Portugal the same weekend – so Wood will be partnered by Mark Glennerster for the first time. His title-winning Ford Fiesta RS WRC will look different too, sporting new sponsorship from Trailhead Get Jerky.

Rali Ceredigion replaces Tour of Epynt in the 2023 Protyre BTRDA Asphalt Rally Championship calendar

Rali Ceredigion has replaced the Tour of Epynt in the 2023 Protyre BTRDA Asphalt Rally Championship calendar.

Nigel Ferguson Fabricators Tour of Epynt 2023

Port Talbot Motor Club regrets to have to announce that the Nigel Ferguson Fabricators Tour of Epynt can no longer be included within the Protyre National Rally Championship of 2023.

Due to operational requirements of the Ministry of Defence on the event venue – the Military Ranges above Sennybridge Camp – the Army authorities have withdrawn the previously agreed date of early August, when the rally was to be taking place.

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.

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.