Simon Moore and Jack Rowe will continue their fierce stage rivalry throughout two full days of competition on the Todds Leap Ulster Challenge Rally. Both competitors are just two points apart atop the table going into the first double header event of the year.
The action starts on Friday 19th August against the backdrop of some of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful scenery. The end of day one for the Challenge crews sees full championship points awarded and likewise on the Saturday, making for a double round of the Championship.
The Ulster Challenge Rally begins the second half of the season for the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship support series after a twelve week break. So getting rid of any rustiness will important to the competing crews as the Antrim stages are renowned for their abrasive tarmac surface which can catch out the unwary.
The Antrim based rally once again sees the Rally HQ at the Holiday Inn Express, with the Service Park at the adjacent Junction One International Outlet Shopping Centre, giving rally fans the chance to get up close to the cars and drivers, while taking in a bit of weekend shopping. The Ulster Challenge Rally takes place over two days and consists of nine challenging stages with a total of 81 competitive miles.
But with maximum championship points on offer for each of the two days, any mistake on day one could have serious title consequences. And with the potential entries of tarmac specialist Richard Archer in his S1600 Corsa, and former BRC entrant Richard Sykes, mistakes will be punished.
Championship leader Simon Moore’s Renault Clio is set up for tarmac and proved quick last time out on the Jim Clark Challenge Rally. But the talented although experienced Jack Rowe has shown he’s quick on the black stuff too in his R2 Ford Fiesta.
Two more Fiesta drivers looking to upset the top two will be third and fourth placed Phil Scholes and Damien Smith. The Lancastrian and Yorkshireman will prepare for a war of the roses on the tricky roads of Antrim.
In fifth place, just one point in front of fellow Englishman Mark Turner is Conor ‘Flying’ Flynn. The former Rally-Cross driver has adapted well to the discipline and continues to learn his craft on the stages in impressive fashion.; so much so his sister has now got in on the act.
Adding to the excitement of the Challenge is the Stars of the Future series, which gives youngsters the chance to sample some of the UK’s best events in equal one litre machinery. The crew of Gary Pearson and Laura Marshall currently lead the series but will have to be on their mettle having never competed in Ulster before.
Round four of the BRCC gets underway from Antrim town centre on Friday afternoon at 3.30pm. Sadly with a late-night finish for the crews on Friday evening/Saturday morning, the winner won’t get the chance to spray champagne in the dark, the crews having until the start of round five at 10.50 on Saturday morning to fettle their cars.
The survivors’ of these two gruelling Challenge events will have a chance for champagne spraying at the Junction One finish on Saturday at 4.30pm ahead of the finish of the International rally.
To follow all the goings-on during the season, check out the new website at www.rallybrcchallenge.co.uk and follow us on twitter at @BRC_Challenge.