The Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship support series, the BRC Challenge, has this year once again provided some of the closest action on closed roads anywhere in the UK.
Last year’s title battle went right down to the wire, with up to four drivers in the hunt for the Championship at the Yorkshire finale. Although Rally Yorkshire is not the final round in 2011, the Scarborough based event will undoubtedly witness a formidable battle in this close fought Championship.
Current points leader Jack Rowe has been the find of the season so far, as the seventeen year old from Doncaster competes in only his first full year in the sport. His debut came at the back end of 2010, as he prepared to face the Challenge ahead.
But with no rallying experience to call upon, the ex-motocross rider has utilised his raw talent for weight distribution and feel to unbelievable effect. The speed of the young Yorkshireman might well be explained on the loose stuff by his dirt-bike background, but his two wins so far this season have come on tarmac!
Not that Rowe has had it all his own way, the title leader going into the season’s first double header (the second being the finale in the Isle of Man in October), was the likeable and blisteringly quick Simon Moore.
North East based Moore had a stinker of a season last year, with mechanical failures continually scuppering his every move. The persistent problems Moore faced also hid his talent, leaving those not familiar with him astounded at his pace this season.
Consistent pace and a well deserving of victory on the Pirelli Rally has given Moore a realistic shot at the 2011 crown, although his season so far has been anything but problem free. With suspension collapse in Wales to having a wheel shear off in Ulster, the Geordie still doesn’t know the meaning of giving up.
The top two in the title hunt cannot rest on their respective laurels though, as a very combative group of hard charging crews lurk behind them, intent on spoiling the party.
The Fiesta SportChallenge has provided some extremely close action at the sharp end this year too. Blackburn’s Phil Scholes is certainly one to watch, having already been on the main podium this year, he certainly understands how to pedal his Ford quickly and is one of six drivers who could still mathematically take the BRCC title.
Kevin Vondy is also one of those six, having already put the RC2 class out of reach of his rivals, an overall title for the Manxman is now possible too, as a result of the class based scoring system in the BRC Challenge.
Stars of the Future
Although not officially a one-make series, the Super 1000 crews have all chosen Nissan Micras as their steeds. One of three regulars in the BRC Challenge fighting for the Stars of the Future award, young Scotsman and current leader Gary Pearson has impressed this year with some out-of-this-world stage times. His achievements have put him in fifth place overall in the Challenge standings and in with a chance at the BRCC title through his class-based bonus points. James Smith could still take the Stars of the Future title though and as they are joined by Bajan driver James Betts, an unknown quantity in the UK, they might both have a shock in store.
Jamie Brown is the last of the drivers who could still take the overall title, but his Fiesta SportChallenge rival Alex Parpottas will not only be after FSC points, their battle could help decide the title too.
All female crew Becky Kirvan and Karen Watts have already taken the prestigious BRC Challenge Ladies Award with five wins from five starts. And although they might be out of the running for overall and RC5 honours, their professionalism, consistency and enthusiasm will stand them in excellent stead if they choose to take the step up to the BRC in 2012.
So can Jack make it three in a Rowe, or will it be Moore success for Simon in the unforgiving North Yorkshire forests? Catch all the action from round six in Scarborough or keep in touch via BRC_Challenge on Twitter. Alternatively read about all the latest action on the website www.brcchallenge.co.uk.
BRC Challenge standings after round five
1. Jack Rowe 132
2. Simon Moore 102
3. Kevin Vondy 88
4. Phil Scholes 81
5. Garry Pearson 80
6. Jamie Brown 74
7. Becky Kirvan 68
8. Alex Parpottas 67
9. James Smith 65
10. Damien Smith 55
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.