The prestigious Dulux Trade MSA British Teams Rally Championship continues apace in just over weeks when the BRC moves to asphalt for the first time in 2011. The Jim Clark International Rally has played host to some cracking battles throughout the field, so as attention is drawn to two wheel drive, its tricky tarmac promises to continue the tradition.
In the hunt for one of just three officially recognised British titles and the accompanying champions’ MSA gold flags, the story so far has been all about gravel.
The BRC Teams tussle started a little one sided with a one-two finish for Autosport Technology on the Bournemouth seafront. Plangi and Pajunen make a perfect start to the prestigious MSA title fight, while the might of the M-Sport Ford Rally Team was beaten by Black’s lone 586 Sports entry. M-Sport’s downfall, aside from Breen’s water pump problem, was the failure of team mate John MacCrone to finish, following electrical issues. However the Cumbrian squad’s woes were as nothing to Team C2R2 Max, which had the Citroën C2s of Donnelly and Desi Henry fall by the wayside.
Round two witnessed another zero score for the Citroën team, Joe McGonigle unable to make the start after a massive crash in Ireland and Henry suffering from a very sick engine. It was left to Breen to take lone M-Sport honours when MacCrone’s Fiesta had a driveshaft break, Black picking up points for second. But despite being bettered by the other teams on this occasion, the last laugh fell to Autosport Technology, whose cosmopolitan team was the only one to get two cars to the Welshpool finish.
M-Sport’s Breen once again took a lonely win on the Pirelli Rally when his team-mate ended the rally in a Kielder ditch. But it was a rally of attrition for the teams, both Black and Pajunen failing to add to their teams’ tallies. It was, however, a relief for Team C2R2 Max as Henry broke its duck, although he still awaits a team mate to help lift the outfit from bottom spot.
So as the BRC reaches its first foray onto asphalt, it is Autosport Technology that heads the teams’ tables ahead of M-Sport Ford, 586 Sports and Team C2R2 Max, but as all scores count towards the title, it is very much from over yet.
The Scottish Borders’ Jim Clark Rally is based in Kelso, but the start and finish take place in the centre of Jim’s hometown from the age of six, Duns. The ceremonial start and street stage take over the whole of the centre of Duns, kicking off with an autograph session in the Market Square at 17.30, the stage running at 19.00 and 21.30.
With 43 of the event’s 140 stage miles completed on Friday evening, the remaining ten stages loop around the Kelso service area, finishing with champagne back in Duns just before 18.00 on Saturday.
For more information on the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk