by Geoff Mayes
In 2006 the organisers of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship took the dramatic decision to ban World Rally Cars from the premier division of British rallying in an effort to spice up the competition and make it more affordable. The new format proved successful with some of the closest rallying seen in the championship for many years… on the
Jim Clark Rally Mark Higgins and Rory Galligan were tied on time to the same tenth of a second after 2 whole days of rallying and had to be split on a tie break!
For 2007 the format remains the same but with the introduction of a control tyre from Pirelli it has left some crews a bit disgruntled. The positive side of such a controversial decision is the added prizes that Pirelli bring with them, including a fully funded drive in 2008 for the driver deemed most commendable. A panel of judges will be on hand at each round to determine which competitor is deserving of being ‘driver of the rally’ and no one can win the award more than once during the season. At the end of the year a ‘shoot out’ between the 6 winners will result in 1 lucky driver winning a ‘works’ style drive next year.
Despite the numbers of competitors being down on the 2006 entry for the season opening Pirelli International Rally the action is still expected to be intense throughout the field.
Returning to defend his title is Manxman Mark Higgins, once again in a Stobart Subaru Impreza N12, and partnered this year by Wyn Humphries in the two-car team. Former British champion Gwyndaf Evans returns at the wheel of a ‘works’ Mitsubishi Evo 9, his prize for winning the 2006 Evo Challenge. Partnering him in the two-car line up is WRC protagonist Guy Wilks who is looking forward to his first taste of Group N machinery.
Other competitors in the 4 wheel drive Group N class include current Evo Challenge leader Phil Morrow in another Evo 9, whilst Rob Swann returns in a Subaru N12.
