by Rob Wilkins


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH MARK TAYLOR: CLICK HERE


BRC manager, Mark Taylor was at the Castle Combe Rallyday event back in September. Crash.net Radio managed to catch up with him there - prior to the International Rally Yorkshire on October 6 - and got his thoughts on the Combe extravaganza and the 2007 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship in general...



Crash.net:
Mark, what are your initial impressions of the Rallyday so far?

Mark Taylor:
It is looking really good. At least the weather is holding its own which is great. Yesterday afternoon when we were setting off there was heavy rain, but there is a good crowd here already and it should be a nice day.

Crash.net:
The Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship has an official presence here this year. What is the strategy behind that?

MT:
It is just an opportunity for us to help support the competitors who come down. I think it is a great place to come and share in the atmosphere and in the sport itself. We are pleased to be here and there is a good presence from Tesco 99 Octane too. We hope to have a good day.

Crash.net:
What have you made of the BRC this year?

MT:
I think the season has gone well. The control tyre has worked and people have seen the benefits of that now. The competition is really good. A lot of people have benefited from the closeness that the control tyre has brought. It is all positive

The Trackrod is next up and that is always a fantastic rally - 110 miles in one day. It is a long day, but it is a good competitive day. I have heard Jonny Milner will be joining us there. Jonny is not registered but I am sure he will be up there. Ryan [Champion] will be joining us as well and Ryan is registered. He will be out to show he should still be driving the works Mitsubishi. Indeed I am sure he will be out there trying to impress the Pirelli Star driver judges too.

We will then go to Wales Rally GB to find the champion. I think the spread of two points scoring events in one rally should be quite interesting. There is one set of points to be had on day 1 and another set of championship points to be had on days 2 and 3, with a clean break between. That gives people an opportunity to really push from the start and that will be really exciting. I am really looking forward to it.

Crash.net:
Have you been happy with the change to a control tyre, because some competitors obviously weren't very happy with that at the start of the year?

MT:
It is our responsibility to look at the bigger picture and look at the future. We have to have a vision and have some objectives for the championship - and we have that. Sometimes you have to make decisions which are probably not popular but you know in your heart of hearts it is the best decision.