BHRC kicks off in style at Gaydon Open Day

The prospects for the 2011 Dunlop/WONAGO MSA British Historic Rally Championship seem excellent following the kick off to the season during the annual HRCR Open Day at Gaydon on Saturday (15 January 2011).

With record numbers of visitors to the event, which enjoyed a substantially increased size for 2011, the signs are that the BHRC is in fine health and set for a superb season of rallying.

Championship registrations opened and at least matched the level of the 2010 Open Day. Ultimately, last year's registrations topped the 100-mark and 2011 looks set to hit similar numbers despite the challenging economic times. Importantly, early registrations included a gaggle of championship newcomers as well as many regular contenders.

All eight rounds of the BHRC, plus the Swansea Bay Rally (Waterend Gravel Cup) and Harry Flatters Rally (Waterend Asphalt Cup) were represented and event organisers reported strong interest in their events. "We've spoken seriously to about 15 crews who didn’t come to our event last year and say they are coming this year, so that was really encouraging," said Plunkett Boyle from the Ulster Historic Rally.

Announced on the day was the best TV deal to date for the BHRC, with all eight championship rounds to be broadcast on Motors TV, followed by an extended end-of-season highlights programme.

The BHRC season opens on Sunday 6 March with a town centre start in Newtown for the Mid Wales Stages followed by the chance to compete on the classic Wales Rally GB stages of Hafren, Myherin and Pike's Peak. "We took 20 entries during the Open Day, so we are very pleased," said event clerk of the course Chris Tomley.

Nick is the number one rally driver to watch in 2011!

Milford Haven rally driver Nick Cristofaro, 17, received a boost to his preparations for the new season when the national Motorsport News newspaper last week listed him as the top rally driver to look out for in 2011, beating off tough competition from all over the UK.

After making his senior rally debut in 2010 Cristofaro has made quick progress and in 2011 he is moving up to the highest level of rallying in the country, the British Rally Championship (BRC). He will contest the championship in a Ford Fiesta ST car run by leading motorsport preparation company TEG Sport.

Joining existing supporters Pirelli on Cristofaro’s BRC campaign will be new sponsor Genpower Ltd. Genpower are the UK importers for Hyundai power products and their main business activities are supplying portable generators, pressure washers and water pumps to both business and private users throughout the UK.

Cristofaro will contest his first event of 2011 later in January when he takes part in the Red Kite Stages rally, the Welsh forestry event providing a good preparation for the BRC. Before this he will be present at the Autosport show which is held at the NEC in Birmingham from 13-16 January. Potential sponsors are invited to visit the MSA stand for a chat with Cristofaro, who will be working with motorsport celebrities such as Jenson Button.

For more information please visit http://www.nickcristofaro.co.uk/.

Image courtesy Chris Huish

Images from the Roger Albert Clark rally

To see the event gallery please click here.

Wright set to debut new car in Grizedale

Bentham rally driver David Wright will debut his new Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 car on next weekend’s Grizedale Stages rally.

The car, prepared by Giles Philips Motorsport, is similar to the Evo 9 he has used for the last two years but it is lighter and slightly more powerful which Wright hopes will give him the pace to battle with the expensive World Rally cars at the top of the leaderboard.

Wright has not driven the Kumho Tyres, Drenth, Proflex and Grove Hill Garage supported car on gravel yet so the Coniston based event will be used as a test in preparation for next year.

"The car has only just been completed so we’ve had no opportunity to do any testing yet," said Wright. "I’m confident that it will prove to be quicker than the old car once we get everything set up properly."

"The Grizedale Stages is one of my favourite events and I’ve had some good results on it, hopefully we can have a decent run, get used to the new car and finish somewhere near the front."

In a change from previous years the rally will start on Friday evening with a stage in the dark of Grizedale forest before a full day’s competition on Saturday.

Cristofaro follows in world champion's tracks

Teenage rally driver Nick Cristofaro debuted his new Ford Fiesta ST car last weekend, taking a brilliant third in class on the Wales Rally GB National B event.

The event took place at the same time as Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship with the cars following in the wheeltracks of the best drivers in the world.

Radnor forest was the venue for the opening stage and Cristofaro, from Milford Haven, made a cautious start as he got used to his TEG Sport, Pirelli and Talbot Timber-backed car but as the event progressed he increased his pace to end day one in 20th place from his start position of 57.

“I went into the first stage determined to get a finish in my first event with the new car but at the end of the test I was disappointed as I knew the car was capable of a lot more,” said Cristofaro.

“The opening stage gave me a lot more confidence so I pushed harder and increased my commitment over the remaining three stages of the day, I was very surprised to be up to 20th though.”

“The first day was very interesting, the stages were extremely challenging with wet road surfaces which were rutted after all the World Championship cars had driven over them. I enjoyed the mix of tarmac and gravel roads, I put my years of karting experience to good use on the tarmac parts.”

The second day saw a further two stages and, with temperatures not much above freezing, the threat of patchy ice on the tracks added to the testing conditions. Cristofaro and co-driver Emma Morrison continued their day one form to set competitive times on both the stages to finish the event in an excellent 18th overall and third in class.

“The frost warning light on the car dashboard was on throughout both stages so I was wary of the chance of hitting ice. Grip levels varied dramatically from good to none so it was a very tough test of my driving skills and I’m delighted that we got to the finish unscathed.”

“I am extremely happy with my performance and all of the team. We had no dramas over the weekend and to get third in class on only my third gravel event, and first in the new car, is a great achievement. Thanks to TEG Sport, Pirelli and Talbot Timber for their support.”

“I’m looking for sponsorship for my 2011 British Rally Championship campaign, please get in touch via www.nickcristofaro.co.uk to see what marketing packages we can offer.”

Nick’s next event will be the Grizedale Stages in Cumbria which takes place in early December.

Image courtesy Chris Huish