TAKES ITS PLACE IN REVISED UK RALLY STRUCTURE
The Motor Sports Association's Rally Championship Control Panel met last 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.
