by Geoff Mayes
When the 2006 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship arrives in Douglas for the start of round three, the all-tarmac Rally Isle of Man, a few things will be different to 2005.
Along with a name change to reflect the growing involvement of the local government the championship has also waved goodbye to the all singing, all dancing World Rally Cars and allowed Production class 'show room specials' and S1600 cars to fight it out for overall honours.
This has succeeded in producing one of the most competitive starts to the season seen in recent years. One notable continuation from 2005 is Mark Higgins, who has proved to be the class of the field in his Stobart VK livered Subaru Impreza. After a double puncture cruelly cost Higgins time on the final day of the season opening Pirelli International and dropped him from first to seconnd in the final standings, he then fought back to win the recent Jim Clark International... by virtue of a tie break after tying on stage times with Rory Galligan after 140 miles of fierce competition. With Galligan having taking Production class honours on the Island in 2005 their battle is sure to continue this weekend.
After a surprise win on the opening round Ryan Champion showed that he was just as quick on the black stuff with a fine run to third overall on the
Jim Clark, placing him second in the standings, three points off Higgins.
"I’m looking forward to the Rally Isle of Man. It’s one of the real classics of the British Rally Championship," he said. "I grew up watching videos of Tony Pond and Jimmy McRae battling with the likes of Toivenen and Vatanen on the island and consider it an honour to compete over the very same roads!"
