MSA BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP TAKES ITS PLACE IN REVISED
UK RALLY STRUCTURE
The Motor Sports Association's Rally Championship Control
Panel met this week to award the sport's championship permits
for the 2006 season. The MSA's new structure now features
a recognisable pyramid of activity culminating in the completely
revised British Rally Championship.
"It may not look radical on paper," admits Colin
Hilton, MSA Chief Executive, "but UK rallying is now
in a much better position to move forward. We have established
a proper structure throughout the sport and if we can deliver
a strong and thriving British Rally Championship at the top
end, attracting the best drivers, co-drivers and teams, it
will have positive repercussions all the way down to the grassroots."
Contrary to recent speculation, the format of the new British
Rally Championship that had been proposed by UK Rally Limited
was only determined and approved at this week's Championship
Control Panel.
In 2006 the emphasis will be on providing competitors with
attractive and affordable events. The BRC will feature six
rounds, all of international status, offering a combination
of gravel and asphalt events and finishing with the prestigious
Wales Rally GB in November (subject to FIA World Council ratification
of the date of the UK's WRC round). Drivers will count their
best five results from the year.
As has been widely reported, entry to the BRC from 2006 will
be limited to Group N production and Super 1600 cars only.
A proposed six round 'Rallymasters' championship will provide
a mix of value for money asphalt and gravel events for World
Rally Cars and non-homologated vehicles. The 'Rallymasters'
will run alongside the BRC on all events except the Wales
Rally GB and the Manx Rally and will augment its calendar
with the inclusion of the Rally of Wales and the Tempest Rally.
"There has been much discussion about the merits or otherwise
of WRC cars in the BRC," says Colin Hilton. "Having
evaluated the proposals very carefully, we feel that the interests
of the championship and the competitors will be best served
by the adoption of Group N and Super 1600 cars. We believe
that providing a level playing field will enable the best
talent to rise to the top and assist us in identifying those
with most promising ability.
"Of course there will still be people who want to watch
and compete in WRC machinery and the Masters series will cater
for their needs. But the new BRC is designed to develop talent
and provide a credible stepping stone for future success on
the international stage."
The MSA's revised structure for UK rallying is now complete.
At National A level, the MSA Asphalt, MSA Gravel and MSA British
Historic Rally Championships will continue to organised by
BTRDA, ANCRO and the HRCR respectively.
Below this, at National B level, the English (BTRDA), Scottish
(MACHARS), Welsh (WAMC) and Northern Ireland (ANICC) Rally
Championships will ensure that excellent opportunities for
competitive participation are available across the country.
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