NEWTOWN will launch the re-born MSA British Rally Championship (BRC) next year.It has been confirmed Newtown and the nearby Mid Wales Stages will provide the first round of the BRC, which will return with much fanfare on March 5.In what’s set to be the biggest shake-up for many years, next season’s revitalised BRC will be staged throughout the British Isles and will include gravel and asphalt surfaces to provide crews with the ultimate challenge in national rallying.
The new championship will comprise seven events, of which four are retained from previous years, while three are new or returning rounds of the championship
The campaign opens with the Mid Wales Stages, using the legendary forests of Myherin and Hafren that test the world’s best drivers each year on Wales Rally GB.
A visit to Belfast will see crews test themselves against the FIA European Rally Championship’s top stars on the UK’s second biggest stage rally, the Circuit of Ireland, before returning to Carlisle for the Pirelli Rally.
BRC crews will take on the Borders’ asphalt for the Jim Clark Rally, the Scottish Rally and the Ulster Rally, before the championship concludes at Granite City Rally in Aberdeen.
Aberangell-based rally ace Osian Pryce, a BRC runner-up in 2013 and 2014, spoke of his delight at the return of the championship and the prominence of Mid Wales in the revised calendar.
“The British Rally Championship was once the world’s best domestic series and, from what I’ve seen in recent months, it looks like we could be back on the road to that sort of standing again,” said a delighted Pryce.
“The calendar is a great mix of new rallies and classic events and starting in Mid Wales is the best news.
“British rallying needs a strong BRC and after a year away, I’m sure our premier series is going to come back stronger than ever in March.”
Abermule-based Mark Higgins, a three time BRC champion in 1997, 2005 and 2006, welcomed the news.
“The British championship has historically been a fantastic stepping stone for aspiring drivers aiming for the WRC, especially as it allows crews to recce and make their own pace notes on fantastic events and stages,” he said.
“I’m very glad to see the championship back again and hope the new format can put it back on the map as one of the best in the world.”
International Motorsport managing director Ben Taylor confirmed the BRC would be a huge boost to the sport.”