The 2012 MSA British Rally Championship will feature six classic events in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland These will include a mix of one and two-day events on asphalt and on gravel.
Rallye Sunseeker International will once again host the opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship. Based in Bournemouth and Poole, this well-organised gravel event features a high profile promotional start and a compact one-day route and therefore, provides an excellent way to kick-start to the new season.
A visit to the forests of North Wales and Cumbria takes up the next two rounds. Both the Bulldog International Rally North Wales and the Pirelli International Rally will run two-day, 100-mile gravel surface formats that provide a real test for competitors.
The surface then changes to asphalt, with a visit to Duns and the Scottish Borders for the Jim Clark International Rally. The BRC then heads across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland for Todds Leap International Rally NI.
The season finale, International Rally Yorkshire, will return to a two-day format in 2012 and will again be based in the seaside town of Scarborough. It will use the classic North Yorkshire Moors forests of Dalby, Cropton and Langdale, therefore providing the perfect showdown to decide the 2012 MSA British Rally Champions.
With six rather than seven events, the biggest change to the calendar is the resting of International Rally Isle of Man, formerly the Manx Rally, for next year.
Championship Manger Mark Taylor said: “We are keen for Rally Isle of Man to plug the gap in the summer calendar which left the championship feeling fractured this year. However, despite the event being currently unable to commit to its return in 2012, we have agreed with the organising committee to leave the summer date available for a potential return in 2013.”
“Mindful of the ongoing economic situation, we believe that a six-round championship is a good short-term move. Along with the switch to two-wheel-drive, this will further help reduce costs towards participating in the 2012 British Rally Championship.”
So that competitors and teams can give something back to their sponsors, BRC organisers have decided to use the summer slot to run a dedicated promotional event. Further details will be announced before the start of the season.
2012 MSA British Rally Championship Calendar (subject to MSA approval):
24/25 Feb – Rallye Sunseeker International – Bournemouth/Poole, (Gravel)
30/31 Mar – Bulldog International Rally North Wales – Welshpool, (Gravel)
27/28 Apr – Pirelli International Rally – Carlisle, Cumbria, (Gravel)
1/2 Jun – Jim Clark International Rally – Duns, Scottish Borders, (Asphalt)
17/18 Aug – International Todds Leap Rally NI – Antrim, (Asphalt)
28/29 Sept – International Rally Yorkshire – Scarborough, (Gravel)
NEW FOR 2012: Media and Sponsor ‘Live’ Days:
9th February – Media Day (pre season promo – non point scoring)
22nd July – Sponsors Live Day (promotional – non point scoring)
Hosted by the British Rally Championship, these promotional days are designed to provide the opportunity for teams and competitors to launch their championship campaigns to the UK and foreign media. The events can also be used to entertain sponsors and partners, providing teams with the opportunity to entertain their guests with a once in a lifetime ride in a rally car.
For more information on the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk.