British Rally Championship Champions Collection

The 60’s
At the start of the ‘60s the sport took a new and significant turn when special stages on the newly available Forestry Commission roads for the big events.  Night navigation however remained a dominant part of the series, the qualifying rounds now intermingled with the classic international rallies in the various British regions.  Then a much greater availability of forest stages during the ‘60s increased the opportunities of developing the special stage sport.  This in turn helped give a new and stronger identity to the BRC which at the time was being a little eclipsed by the popularity of the concurrent Motoring News road rally championship.
1960 and 1961
When 12 year old Bill Bengry was fined £25 for driving a car on the highway in the 1930's it looked as though his motoring life had got off to a bad start.  But from this expensive beginning Bill has come a long way in the world and reached heights in motor sport which he never dreamt possible at that tender age,
Bill, who lived in Leominster, is the possessor of over 200 cups and trophies won in local, national and international motoring circles and has the distinction of being the first man to be RAC British Rally Champion for two consecutive years.
Through hard work and an indomitable will he has made his mark in sport and business.  Time and time again he has come through against the odds and is a man to relish a challenge
A sleeping interest in motor sport was first aroused in Bill in 1947 when his brother-in-law was a works driver for Coopers who were dominating their class in races and hill-climbs.
He competed in many hill-climbs and rallies. He says now, "The rallies were longer in those days and relied mainly on good navigation, and I had a job to find a navigator.
"Modern rallies lay greater emphasis on the ability of the driver.  There are so many good navigators that this has to be so.
"Times are now taken down to seconds - not just average speed - and on the special timed stages of a rally you must have a good driver and a car with a good performance."
He began to take up serious rally driving in 1954 when he took on the Volkswagen agency.
Although the Volkswagen was considered by experts to be unsuitable for rally work, within six years Bill was RAC British Rally Champion, Motoring News champion and the BTRDA Gold Star champion.  This was achieved against stiff opposition and he was the first driver to win all three.
It was in 1960 that he took part in his first international - the RAC Rally of Britain - and he considers that it was in this event that he gave his best performance.  Certainly it put him into the "big time" of rallying.
As his navigator he had David Skeffington, who has shared many of his successes, and together they competed against international stars in Bill's privately entered Volkswagen.
From the start the little red car was considered to have no chance and was number 110.  But after the first night it was one of only three cars not to lose points.
Then ill-fortune struck.  From lying third Bill dropped to eighth due to five tyre bursts on special stages.  They finished the rally in this position and were second in their class.
By Jeremy Finney.  Taken from the Hereford Evening News, Friday September 24, 1965.

Although I can no longer trace the article, I did read at one stage that in one year (1960 or 1961) a river crossing was so flooded that most cars came a cropper trying to ford it – not Bill and the Bettle – they floated across!!

The only BRC event in 1960 which Bill won outright was the season finale, Rally of the Vales. As mentioned earlier, Bill drove his VW beetle in the 1960 RAC rally, but he also rallied Simca's during the 1960 season. Depending on the event/article you can find records from, when he was in a Simca, it has been variously described as a Simca 1200 and a Simca Montlhery. Somewhat unhelpfully, Simca produced 2 different Simca Montlhery's, one with a 1221cc engine (the Simca 9 Aronde) and one with a 1290cc "flash" engine (the Simca 90A Aronde). As I have been unable to find more detailed information and no photographic evidence, both versions of this car have been included.

1960
8/9 January 1960 - Welsh National Rally (South Wales AC) – Overall: 1, Brian Harper/Ron Crellin (Morgan) 67; 2, Tiny Lewis (Triumph Herald) 109; Class winners: Casewell (Austin A99); John la Trobe (Volvo)
6/7 February 1960 - Cat’s Eyes Rally (Thames Estuary AC) – Overall: 1, R N Richards/G C Davies (Riley 1.5) 10; Class A: 1, G F Pike (Morris Traveller) 15 (838); 2, H A R Nash (Ford Anglia) 15 (858); 3, S P Clipston (Volkswagen) 20; Class B: 1, S P A Freeman (Austin Cambridge) 20; 2, E Malkin (Sunbeam Rapier) 23; 3, K W Barrow (Volvo) 40; Class C: 1, K J Freeman (Citroën) 50; 2, J Hayes (Sunbeam Talbot 90) 55; Class D: 1, R Anderson (Ford Zephyr) 15; 2, S Dacre-Lacey (Jaguar) 65; Class E: 1, J W Scott (Triumph Herald) 90; 2, C M M Williams (Austin-Healey Sprite) 103; 3, A H Gray (Morris) 115; Class F: 1, G Kirkcaldie (Sunbeam Alpine) 25; 2, J H la Trobe (Volvo) 45; Class G: 1, B Harper (Morgan) 30; 2, D Seigle-Morris (Triumph TR3A) 35; Class H: 1, T J Mockeridge (Austin-Healey) 55
5/6 March 1960 - Express & Star Rally (Wolverhampton & South Staffs CC) – Overall: 1, T A Gold/S Turner (Austin-Healey Sprite) 40; 2, Mrs Mayman/Miss Val Domleo (Morgan 1991cc) 90; 3, Bill Bengry (SIMCA 1200) 100; Class winners: A P Bridge (Austin-Healey Sprite) 400; A T Fisher (Austin Seven) 110; E Malkin (Sunbeam Rapier) 100; Brian Harper (Morgan 1991cc) 120
2/3 April 1960 – Hopper Rally (Maidstone & Mid-Kent MC) – Overall: 1, Pat Moss/S Turner (Austin A40) 3; 2, D Grimshaw/B Melia (Triumph TR3) 4; 3, R N Richards/G C Davies (Riley 1.5) 6; 4, S Clipston/M T Godfrey (Volkswagen) 6; 5, R J G Smith/J Dorville (Sunbeam Rapier) 8; 6, D Seigle-Morris/V H Elford (Triumph TR3A) 9; 7, E Malkin/A A G Robson (Sunbeam Rapier) 9; 8, H J Harper/J Mace (MGA) 9; 9, R A Clift/B F Lockyear (Austin-Healey) 12; 10, I D L Lewis/R Porter (Triumph Herald) 18; 11, G Mabbs/D Mabbs (Triumph Herald) 21; 12, D H Ray/G F Babra (Singer Gazelle) 21; 13, H A Appleby/Dr R L McGhie (Austin-Healey Sprite) 24; 14, J Steadman/A Edwards (MG Magnette) 24; 15, J Poulton/N Church (?) 28
8/9 April 1960 - Birmingham Post Rally (Midland AC) – Overall: 1, M Sutcliffe/S Woolley (Morris) 49.0; Experts up to 1000cc: 1, M Sutcliffe/S Woolley (Morris) 49.0; 2, G J Mabbs/D Mabbs (Triumph) 49.8; 3, M J Webb/D Holland (Triumph) 50.2; 4, I A L Lewis/R Porter (Triumph) 51.4; 5, J F S Poulton/K Coombes (Auto Union) 59.6; Experts over 1000cc: 1, B Harper/R Crellin (Morgan) 50.2; 2, Mrs E P Mayman/Miss V Domleo (Morgan) 51.4; 3, G H F Parkes/G W Howarth (Austin-Healey) 52.8; 4, I Casewell/A Austin (Austin) 58.2; 5, J D Grimshaw/B Melia (Triumph TR3A) 60.4; Novices up to 1000cc: 1, B Evans/M Annett (Austin) 373.8; 2, Mrs V M Harper/I R Smith (Triumph) 389.2; 3, R A Christopher/A Youngs (Austin) 404.0; 4, T J Smallman/Miss E A Newton (Morris) 656.2; 5, D M Clayson/J Humphries (Triumph) 737.4; Novices over 1000cc: 1, W Fieldhouse/W Small (Volkswagen) 140.7; 2, P J Marr/P A D Marr (Triumph) 262.2; 3, D R Blankstone/B Pickering (MG) 375.6; 4, R E Abbott/Miss J M Law (Sunbeam) 473.8; 5, T J Hammond/P A Hammond (Triumph TR2) 490.4
There were 12 clean sheets so positions decided on tests.
15/18 April 1960 – Highland Rally (Scottish Sporting CC) – Overall: 1. J A Morrison (Triumph Herald); Production Touring Cars up to 1000cc: 1, J A Morrison; 2, R M Pettie; 3, Miss Jacqueline Walker; Production Touring Cars 1000cc to 1600cc: 1, R Graham (Riley 1.5); 2, J Hardie Brown (Riley 1.5); 3, W G Bennett (Hillman Minx); Production Touring Cars 1601cc and over: 1, J S Collins (Humber Hawk); 2, T Paton (Jaguar 3.4); Special Touring Cars and Production Grand Touring Cars up to 1000cc: 1, I McIntyre (Austin-Healey Sprite); 2, R G MacCrae (Austin-Healey Sprite); Special Touring Cars and Production Grand Touring Cars 1000cc to 1600cc: 1. T W Currie (MGA); 2, Ian T Brown (Sunbeam Alpine); 3, K W Moore (MGA); Special Touring Cars and Production Grand Touring Cars 1601cc and over: 1, K R Sturrock (Morgan Plus 4); 2, Mrs Audrey Woolley (Triumph TR3A); 3, D Sisson (Triumph TR3); Other cars: 1. J D Hamilton (Morris Eight). Bill and other leading contenders did not enter.
15/19 April 1960 - Circuit of Ireland (Ulster AC) – Overall: 1, A J L Boyd/M N Johnstone (Austin-Healey Sprite). Bill and other leading contenders did not enter.
13/15 May 1960 – Morecambe Rally (Lancashire AC) – Overall: 1, Mrs Anne Hall/Miss Val Domleo (Ford Anglia) 14; 2, D Seigle-Morris 18; 3, J Waddington 21; 4, J R Kirkham (Austin-Healey Sprite) 21. Class winners: R J Winder 378; A Hall; E Hunt; E Malkin; J R Kirkham; D Seigle-Morris.  Eventual championship winner Bill Bengry (SIMCA) retired early
6/10 June 1960 – Scottish National Rally (Royal Scottish AC) – Event cancelled due to lack of entries
24/25 June 1960 – Plymouth Rally (Plymouth MC) – Overall: 1, D de Souza (Morris Mini-Minor); 2, D Silverthorne (Porsche); 3, E Jackson (Triumph Herald).  12 crews were clean on road penalties, positions decided on tests
13/14 August 1960 – Bolton Rally (Bolton le Moors CC) – Overall: 1, G D Grimshaw/B Melia (Triumph TR3) 6; 2, R N Richards/G C Davies (Riley 1.5) 6; 3, Mrs A Hall/Miss V Domleo (Ford Anglia) 6; 4, A Edmondson/J Middleton (Austin 7) 9; 5, M Sutcliffe/G P Crabtree (Morris Minor) 11; 6, B W Izard/A G Robson (Triumph Herald) 12; 7, G H F Parker/G W Howarth (Austin-Healey) 13; 7, A W Hobson/S Wooley (Ford Anglia) 17; 8, M H Pickersgill/M Kempley (MGA) 18; 9, B Harper/R Crellin (Morgan) 21; 10, E R V Walker/M A Tarratt (Renault) 25; 11, G J Mabbs/D Mabbs (Triumph Herald) 26; 12, J B Kirkham/H Beighton (Austin-Healey Sprite) 27; 13, H A R Nash/D Stone (Triumph Herald) 29; 14, R C Walker/F Trickett (Triumph TR3) 29; 15, A C Taylor/G Parker (Triumph TR3) 30; 16, J N Wood/B Hughes (Ford Anglia) 31; 17, A P Bridge/M R Milchreast (Austin-Healey Sprite) 31; 18, P F Steiner/R Cumbers (Austin A40) 31; 19, M J Webb/D H Holland (Triumph Herald) 32.  Ties decided by furthest cleanest
7/8 October 1960 – London Rally (London MC) – Overall: 1, J R Kirkham/H Beighton (Austin-Healey Sprite) 1; 2, J Easten/A A Robson (Sunbeam Rapier) 13; J Steadman (Sunbeam Rapier) 14; I Lewis (Triumph Herald) 20; A Fisher (Austin 7) 25; D Grimshaw (Triumph TR3) 30; W Hercock (Triumph TR3) 36; Mrs Mayman/D Hewitt (Triumph Herald) 37; F Snaylam (Austin-Healey Sprite) 61; E Brinkman (Jaguar 3.4) 111;  Class A: 1, B Bengry/D Skeffington (SIMCA) 24; 2, J Shand/P Clapham (Vauxhall) 48; Class B: 1. B Harper/R Crellin (Morgan) 28; 2, G Parker/G Howarth (Austin-Healey 3000) 29; Class C: 1, C Williams/J Brown (Austin-Healey Sprite) 33
21/26 November 1960 – RAC Rally (RAC) – Overall: 1, E Carlsson/S Turner (SAAB) 0; 2, J Sprinzel/R Bensted-Smith (Sebring Sprite) 2 (23); 3, D Morley/E Morley (Austin-Healey 3000) 2 (25); 4, J Sears/W Cave (Jaguar 3.8) 3 Class A: 1, E Carlsson/S Turner (SAAB) 0; 2, D Seigel-Morris/V Elford (Mini) 3; 3, T Clark/K Coombs (Mini) 13; Class B: 1, I D L Lewis/D Potter (Triumph Herald) 3; 2, G P Crabtree/S Woolley (Ford Anglia) 4; 3, Mrs A Hall/Miss V Domleo (Ford Anglia) 5; Class C: 1, J C Wallwork/H Brooks (Volvo) 3; 2, A E Bengry/D V Skeffington (Volkswagen) 7; 3, J Ray/P Dingley (Sunbeam) 8; Class D: 1, M Marang/M Radoche (Citroën) 7; 2, J P Bolton/G Shanley (Citroën) 16; Class E: 1, J Sears/W Cave/P Berry (Jaguar 3.8) 3; 2, G Burgess/S Croft-Pearson (Ford Zephyr) 8; 3, I Walker/J Uren (Ford Zephyr) 10; Class F: 1, J Sprinzel/R Bensted-Smith (Austin-Healey Sprite) 2; 2, Miss P Moss/Miss A Wisdom (Austin-Healey Sprite) 10; 3, J R Kirkham/P Maldam (Austin-Healey Sprite) 13; Class G: 1, D Johns/R Jones (Wolseley) 8; 2, J D L McIvin/W G Bennett (Sunbeam) 14; 3, C Bent-Marshall/D H Pratt (Wolseley) 23; Class H: 1, D Morley/E Morley (Austin-Healey) 2; 2, P Riley/A Ambrose (Austin-Healey) 7; 3, G D Grimshaw/B Melia (Triumph) 13
3/4 December 1960 - Rally of the Vales (Swansea MC) – Overall: 1, B Bengry; 4, Brian Harper.  No results published!
BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL TOP TEN
Overall: 1, Bill Bengry (38); 2, Brian Harper (36); 3, Robin Richards (31); 4, Tiny Lewis (25); =5, Roy Kirkham (23); =5, Ann Hall (23); 7, Pauline Mayman (21); 8, Don Grimshaw (19); 9, Codge Malkin (18); 10, Julian Easten (17)

1960 RAC Rally

The Beetle is a modified/resprayed partswork with homemade decals. The 2 Simca's (9 Aronde 1221cc and Simca 90A 1300 Montlhery) are both partsworks.


1961
6/7 January 1961 - Welsh National Rally (South Wales AC) – Overall: 1, A Griffiths/D M Stone (Austin-Healey 100/6) 15m35s; 2, J M Easten/G Robson (Sunbeam Rapier) 17m11s; 3, Anne Hall/Val Domleo (Ford Anglia) 17m38s; 4, R Michaelkiewiez/E Clark (Triumph TR) 23m17s; 5, A E Bengry/S Skeffington (Volkswagen) 30m38s; 6, R B Sutcliffe/R Dixon (Volkswagen) 31m55s; 7, B S Harding/H Liddon (MGA) 34m12s; 8, W D Rice/S Turner (MGA) 35m02s; 9, Pat Moss/S Turner (Austin-Healey Sprite) 35m41s; 10, A W Gorst/M W Roberts (Volkswagen) 36m 25s.  Up to 1000cc saloons: 1, Anne Hall/Val Domleo (Ford Anglia); 2, J H Partridge/M Briton (Triumph Herald); 3, A Hobson/G Haggie (Ford Anglia).  Over 1000cc saloons: 1, J M Easten/G Robson (Sunbeam Rapier); 2, A E Bengry/S Skeffington (Volkswagen) 30m38s; 3, R B Sutcliffe/R Dixon (Volkswagen).  Up 1600cc GT: 1, B S Harding/H Liddon (MGA); 2, W D Rice/S Turner (MGA); 3, Pat Moss/S Turner (Austin-Healey Sprite). Over 1600cc GT: 1, A Griffiths/D M Stone (Austin-Healey 100/6); 2, R Michaelkiewiez/E Clark (Triumph TR); 3, R Clift/B Lockyear (Triumph TR). Bengry was 5th overall and 2nd in class afer losing time to change to studded tyres and trying to reach a control that had been cancelled.
4/5 February 1961 - Cat’s Eyes National Rally (Thames Valley AC) – Overall: 1, G D Grimshaw/B Melia (Triumph TR3A) 135; 2, R Michaelkiewicz/E Clark (Triumph TR3A) 160; 3, J H Partridge/M P W Britton (Triumph Herald) 200; 4, Dr J T Spare/J E Bailey (Singer Gazelle) 210; 5, M V Mackie/J W Histon (Austin A40) 220; 6, G H F Parkes/G W Howarth (Austin-Healey 3000) 230.  Class winners: 1, J H Partridge/M P W Britton (Triumph Herald); 2. Dr J T Spare/J E Bailey (Singer Gazelle); 3, R N Richards/G C Davies (Ford Zephyr); 4, V H Elford/M T Butler (Austin A35); 5, N R Pocock/E D Lee (Austin A55); 6, G D Grimshaw/B Melia (Triumph TR3A).  Bengry/Sheffington gained 40m penalty for not going down a track which had a control sited on it. So determined were the organisers to find the winner on the roads, the overall winner lost 27 minutes.
25/26 February 1961 - Express & Star National Rally (Wolverhampton & South Staffs CC) – Overall: 1, Brian Harper/Ron Crellin (Morgan) 0 (17.4); 2, Pat Moss/Stuart Turner (SAAB 96) 0 (17.8); 3, A T (Tony) Fisher/J R Thomas (Austin) 0 (19.2); 4, Bill Bengry/David Skeffington (Volkswagen) 0 (19.2); 5, Peter Astbury/Keith Binns (Triumph) 0 (20.6); 6, John La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Morris) 10 (18.6); 7, Alex Griffiths/David Stone (Triumph) 10 (19.6); 8, C R (Bob) Aston/Gerry Cooper (SAAB) 20 (19.8); 9, John Sprinzel/Mike Wood (Austin-Healey Sprite) 40 (18.2); 10, J Roy Kirkham/Horace Beighton (Austin) 40 (18.2); 11, Phil Simister/Roy Fidler (Ford) 50 (19.4); 12, C P James/R Johnson (SAAB) 50 (20.0); 13, T A Gold/John Hopwood (Austin-Healey) 60 (17.6); 14, G Don Grimshaw/Brian Melia (Triumph) 60 (17.8); 15, Romek Michaelkiewicz/E Clarke (Triumph) 60 (18.2). (Note. Ties decided by test time, shown in brackets)  The event was famed for the closeness of the result, and for a major protest which led to rule changes in the blue book. Pat Moss, Brian Harper and Bill Bengry  (VW Beetle) were all clean on the road except for lateness penalties awarded to Brian Harper and others as a result of a delay caused by avoiding a blocked road. The problem was due to recent heavy rains around Wenlock Edge which had caused the Byne Brook to flood. The local council had erected a sign before the ford in 4788 (now culverted! - CJK) saying 'Road Blocked'. Some competitors, including Harper and Moss, heeded the warning, went the long way round and incurred penalties for lateness at the next control 19. Bengry, and others, drove to the ford and found that it was actually passable and arrived at the control on time.
At the finish Bengry was initially declared winner but then the stewards upheld a protest by Harper that all time penalties on that section should be scrapped owing to the presence of the 'official' council notice. Harper was then judged winner, but the judgement was submitted to the RAC competitions committee tribunal for a final adjudication. The tribunal gave its result on 15th March: chairman John Gott, an experienced international rally driver (Works Healey 3000) as well as being the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire ( !! ) declared that "Irrespective of whether a sign is mandatory, we think it is most important especially in these days of criticism against rallies, that competitors should obey road signs. The principle that seems to us so important is that no competitor should gain advantage by disregarding a sign even if that sign was put up for information only." So Bengry lost his place and Harper was awarded the top spot.
25/26 March 1961 - Hopper National Rally Maidstone & Mid-Kent MC) – Overall: 1, D Seigle-Morris/V Elford (Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite) 0; 2, M Rogers/N Chitty (Ford Zephyr) 0; 3, I D L Lewis/D Stone (Triumph Herald) 1; 4, J Steadman/A Edwards (Sunbeam Rapier) 2; 5, J Easten/G Robson (Austin-Healey Sprite) 3; 6, G P Crabtree/Val Domleo (Ford Anglia) 5; 7, R N Richards/G Davies (Ford Zephyr) 5; 8, J Campbell/M Butler (Austin 7) 7; 9, S P Clipston/J Godfrey (Volkswagen) 7; 10, C W Dart/P D Donovan (Volkswagen) 7; 11, E J Hatchet/R Britt (Triumph Herald) 8; 12, C M Williams/J Brown (Austin 7) 7; 13, B Harper/R Crellin (Morgan) 8; 14, J la Trobe/P Roberts (Morris Mini-Minor) 8; 15, D C Furneaux/J L Owen (Austin A55) 9.  Bengry/Sheffington (Volkswagen) had early problems with slipping clutch and also windscreen clouded over due to being struck by stone.  May not have been classified as finishers.
31 March/1 April 1961 - Highland National Rally (Scottish Sporting CC) – Overall: 1, D G Bennett (Sunbeam Rapier)
31 March/3 April 1961 - Circuit of Ireland International (Ulster AC) – Overall: 1, P Hopkirk/J Scott (Sunbeam Rapier) 31.2; 2,R J Woodside/T Harryman (Austin-Healey Sprite) 42.8; 3, M J O’Mahoney/R H Tilson (Volkswagen) 42.8; 4, F A Robinson/J R Davidson (Volkswagen) 70.0; 5, D Cullen/J Cullen (NSU) 70.8; 6, T A Burke/J D O’Leary (NSU) 96.2;  Class I, Touring cars up to 850cc): 1, D Cullen/J Cullen (NSU) 70.8; 2, T A Burke/J D O’Leary (NSU) 96.2; 3, C WAndrews/B McMeekin (Morris Mini-Minor) 117.6; Class II, Touring cars 850cc to 1300cc: 1, M J O’Mahoney/R H Tilson (Volkswagen) 42.8; 2, F A Robinson/J R Davidson (Volkswagen) 70.0; 3, T O O’Sullivan/F B Geary (Volkswagen) 114.0; Class III, Touring cars 1300cc to1600cc: 1, P Hopkirk/J Scott (Sunbeam Rapier) 31.2; 2, C A Gunn/R Cusack (Hillman) 182.6; 3, C W S Austin/M A Graham (Singer) 183.6; Class IV, Touring cars over 1600cc: 1, G H F Parkes/G W Howarth (Jaguar) 135.0; 2, Major J W Appleton (Vauxhall) 226.6; 3, E A Lucas/A J H Lucas (Vauxhall) 251.8; Class V, Grand Touring cars up to 1300cc: 1, R J Woodside/T Harryman (Austin-Healey Sprite) 37.4; 2, I Woodside/B Crawford (Austin-Healey Sprite) 104.4; 3, B Bengry/D Skeffington (Volkswagen) 113.9; Class VI, Grand Touring cars over 1300cc: 1, H J O’Connor-Rorke/J Cuff (Jaguar) 138.4; 2, J A D Chesney/W J G Clarke (Triumph) 152.6; 3, C W Eyre-Maunsell/A D M Greves (Sunbeam Alpine) 225.8; Class VII, Touring Class: 1, B Lambe/A Marshall (Morris) 567.0; 2, P G McConnell/A Cairns (Singer) 671.4; 3, P G Thompson/R P Elliott (Austin) 761.4
7/8 April 1961 - Birmingham Post National Rally (Midland AC) – Overall: 1, R Michalkiewicz/J R C Brown (Triumph TR3A) 0/40.0; 2, P J Smith/G Bryant (Austin-Healey) 0/40.9; 3, R Gibbon/R Binns (Volkswagen) 0/41.4; 4, Anne Hall/Val Domleo (Ford Anglia) 0/43.6; 5, Pat Moss/S Turner (SAAB) 0/44.5; 6, Pauline Mayman/D Hewirr (Triumph Herald) 0/44.9; Class 1, up to 1000cc Experts: 1, R Gibbon/R Binns (Volkswagen) 0/41.4; 2, Anne Hall/Val Domleo (Ford Anglia) 0/43.6; 3, Pat Moss/S Turner (SAAB) 0/44.5; 4, T S Baker/Dr W P Dallas-Ross (Austin-Healey Sprite) 20/40.4; 5, J Sprinzel/R Abbott (Mini) 20/49.0; Class 2, over 1000cc Experts: 1, R Michalkiewicz/J R C Brown (Triumph TR3A) 0/40.0; 2, P J Smith/G Bryant (Austin-Healey) 0/40.9; 3, R Gibbon/R Binns (Volkswagen) 0/41.4; 4, R N Richards/G C Davies (Ford Zephyr) 0/47.3; 5, K C Chambers.P H Marshall (Ford Zephyr) 0/50.0; Class 3, up to1000cc others: 1, J H Privet/J E Botham (Austin Seven) 100; 2, B W Seaman/C P Hanson (Triumph Herald) 180; 3, R McBride/D Barrow (Ford) 190; 4, P T Frost/C R L Child (Ford Anglia) 920; 5, H G Maund/N C Nelder (Austin Seven) 1090; Class 4, over 1000cc others: 1, F Moss/A B Price (Riley) 250; 2, D J Friswell/M Pritchard (MGA) 370; 3, D Moreton/J E Furniss (Volkswagen) 750; 4, Mrs W M Brampton/L A Brampton (Ford) 800; 5, A W Blore/C Hicks (Austin-Healey) 1030
12/14 May 1961 - Morecambe Rally (Lancashire AC) – Overall: 1, G Don Grimshaw/Brian Melia (Austin-Healey 3000) 14; 2, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Ford Anglia) 19; 3, Julian Easten/Graham Robson (Austin-Healey Sprite) 25; 4, M Pickersgill/Mike Kempley (MGA) 27; 5, John La Trobe/Peter Roberts (Mini) 29; 6, Roy Fidler/John Hopwood (Ford Anglia) 29; 7, F Crossley/? (Mini) 32; 8, Brian Harper/Ron Crellin (Austin-Healey Sprite) 35; 9, G Humble/D Day (Triumph TR3) 38; 10, John E Oldham/Frank Davies (Mini) 47; 11, B F Mitton/J R Norton (Porsche) 49; 12, H A Jacobs/P Dingley (Triumph TR3) 58; 13, S Annis/R Binns (Triumph TR3) 58; 14, Pat G Giblett/Stuart J Turner (Triumph TR3) 59; 15, George Benson/Ray Heaton (Triumph TR3) 111.  Bengry/Skeffington rolled, put it back on its wheels and only dropped 11 minutes on that section – did they finish?
22/26 May 1961 - Scottish International Rally (Royal Scottish AC) – Overall: 1, John D L Martin (Sunbeam Alpine); Class 1: 1, P R J Harding; Class 2: 1, F G A Hibbert (Morris Mini-Minor); 2, Martin Baines; Class 3: 1, Rex Neate, 2, Dr P T Walker; Class 4, 5 & 6: 1, R S Taylor; Class 7, 9 & 10: 1, David R Hall (Austin-Healey Sprite); Class 8: 1, Miss Margaret W MacKenzie (Austin Seven); 2, James Hall; Class 12 & 13: 1, John D L Martin (Sunbeam Alpine); 2, Dr Stuart Parker
24/25 June 1961 - Plymouth National Rally (Plymouth MC) – Overall: 1, Dr John T Spare/John F Bailey (Singer Gazelle) 0; 2, Geoff Mabbs/David Mabbs (Triumph Herald) 0; 3, Jock S Huggins/John R C Brown (Ford Anglia) 0; =4, P G Giblett/David Stone (Triumph TR3A) 0; =4, G Don Grimshaw/Brian Melia (Triumph TR) 0; 6, John H Partridge/Mike P Britton (Mini) 0; 7, A E (Bill) Bengry/David Skeffington (Volkswagen) 0; 8, D Silverthorne/F Fisher (Porsche) 1; 9, Mike Sutcliffe/Roy Fidler (Mini) 2; 10, Romek Michalkiewicz/E Clarke (Triumph TR3A) 3; 11, John Grimshaw/David Ralphs (Sunbeam Alpine) 4; 12, Peter E Astbury/Keith Binns (Morgan) 5; 13, Eric Jackson/Ken Joseph (Ford Zephyr) 6; 14, L Turk/Julian Chitty (Ford Zephyr Mk1) 7; 15, C P James/R Johnson (SAAB) 8
19/20 August 1961 - Bolton National Rally (Bolton-le-Moors CC) – Overall: 1, A T (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Austin Seven); 2, A E (Bill) Bengry/David Skeffington (Volkswagen); 3, C R (Bob) Aston/Graham Robson (SAAB); 4, Roger B Sutcliffe/Roy Dixon (Volkswagen); 5, Brian Harper/Ron Crellin (Austin-Healey Sprite); 6, John La Trobe/Peter Roberts (Mini); 7, R W Wilson/G Bickerton (Ford Anglia); 8, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Ford Anglia); 9, Stan Annis/R Binns (Austin-Healey Sprite); 10, Derek Astle/Saville Woolley (Austin-Healey); 11, Peter E Astbury/Keith Binns (Morgan); 12, Mrs Pauline Mayman/D Hewitt (Triumph Herald); 13, J Handley/J Rollason (Austin-Healey Sprite); 14, Geoff Mabbs/David Mabbs (Triumph Herald); 15, G H F Parkes/G W Howarth (Austin-Healey)
22/23 September 1961 - London Rally (London MC) – Overall: 1, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Ford Anglia) 0; 2, David Seigle-Morris/John R C Brown (Morris Mini-Minor) 0; 3, Stan Annis/Richard Binns (Sebring Sprite) 0; 4, Roy Fidler/John Hopwood (Ford Anglia) 0; 5, John Sprinzel/J Mike Wood (Sebring Sprite) 1; 6, Geoff J Mabbs/David Mabbs (Triumph Herald) 2; 7, Brian Harper/Ron Crellin (Sebring Sprite) 3; 8, Mike Sutcliffe/G Phil Crabtree (Austin 7) 3; 9, David R Hiam/J A (Tony) Ambrose (Morris Mini-Minor) 6; 10, Stephen P Clipston/John King (Volkswagen) 6; 11, A E (Bill) Bengry/David Skeffington (Volkswagen) 8; 12, Peter E Astbury/Keith Binns (Morgan Plus 4) 10; 13, B Harding/Henry Liddon (MGA) 11; 14, Jphn H Partridge/M Britton (Morris Mini-Minor) 13; 15, T S Baker/W P Dallas-Ross (Austin-Healey Sprite) 13
14/15 October 1961 - Bournemouth National Rally (West Hants & Dorset CC) – Overall: 1, John La Trobe/Vic Elford (Mini) 300; 2, C R (Bob) Aston/A A Graham Robson (SAAB) 380; 3, John H Partridge/Mike P W Britton (Mini) 430; 4, D de Souza/P Baker (Mini) 560; 5, G Don Grimshaw/Brian Melia (Austin-Healey Sprite) 740; 6, A E (Bill) Bengry/David Skeffington (Volkswagen) 850; 7, Miss Pat Moss/Mike Butler (SAAB 96) 1020; 8, Dr John T Spare/John F Bailey (Singer Gazelle) 1260; 9, Mrs Valerie Harper/Miss Val Domleo (Sebring Sprite) 1600; 10, Stan Annis/Richard Binns (Sebring Sprite) 1600; 11, Ken Piper/David Stone (DKW Junior) 3460; 12, H H Faure/M A Pirie (Mini) 4210; 13, B C Russell/Miss A L Scott (Austin-Healey 3000) 5080. (No other finishers)
13/18 November 1961 - RAC Rally (RAC) – Overall: 1, E Carlsson/J R C Brown (SAAB 96) 89; 2, Miss P Moss/Miss A Wisdom (Austin-Healey 3000) 129; 3, P Harper/I J Hall (Sunbeam Rapier) 150; 4, P Hopkirk/J Scott (Sunbeam Rapier) 166 Class 1: E Carlsson/J R C Brown (SSAB 96) 89; 2, J H Ray/J G Hopwood (Austin Seven) 204; 3, Mrs A Hall/Miss V Domleo (Ford Anglia) 204; Class 2: 1, P Harper/I J Hall (Sunbeam Rapier) 150; 2, P Hopkirk/J Scott (Sunbeam Rapier) 166; 3, G Anderson/D Johns (Volvo PV544S) 184; Class 3: 1, R Baxter/I Miller (Humber Super Snipe) 262; 2, E Jackson/N Donovan (Ford Zephyr) 270; 3, G King/C Sproxton (Ford Zephyr) 292; Class 4: 1, D Astle/P Roberts (MG Midget) 217; 2, M Sutcliffe/R Fidler (MG Midget) 239; 3, M T Marsden/R Thorpe (Triumph Herald) 365; Class 5: 1, H J Walter/J Sprinzel (Porsche Carrera) 266; 2, W L Morrison/A Finlay (MGA 1600 Mk2) 301; 3, J Grimshaw/D H Ralphs (Sunbeam Alpine) 462; Class 6: 1, Miss P Moss/Miss A Wisdom (Austin-Healey 3000) 129; 2, D Seigle-Morris/A Ambrose (Austin-Healey 3000) 170; 3, H J O’Connor-Rorke/J Gott/M Kempley (Ford Zephyr) 295
2/3 December 1961 - Rally of the Vales National (Swansea MC) – Overall: 1, Alex Griffiths/David Stone (Triumph Herald Coupé); 2, Geoff Flint/Geoff Kendall-Jackson (SIMCA); 3, A E (Bill) Bengry/David Skeffington (Volkswagen); 4, David Davies/Denis Cardell (Mini Cooper); 5, B Harding/Henry Liddon (MGA); 6, Pat Giblett/Stuart J Turner (Mini); 7, Stephen Clipston/John King (Volkswagen); 8, Reg Galpin/John Owen (?); 9, Ralph Broad/B S Hughes (Mini); 10, D de Souza/P Baker (?); 11, J Dodd/Frank Rutter (Wolseley 1500); 12, Phil Simister/Pat Lichtensteiger (Ford Anglia); 13, John La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Mini); 14, Stan Pateman/Wilkinson (Triumph TR3A); 15, S D Silverthorne/B Wadham (?) 63; Class A: 1, Alex Griffiths/David Stone (Triumph Herald Coupé); Class B: 1, R Bodle/J R C Brown; Class C: 1, David Davies/Denis Cardell (Mini Cooper)
Class D: 1, Stan Pateman/Wilkinson (Triumph TR3A).  There is a suggestion in the Motoring News paper dated 7th December 1961 that Bengry's 4th place finish in the Rally of the Vales the previous weekend secured him his back to back championship win with 35 points. Pat Moss was 2nd overall with 25, Anne Hall 3rd with 24 and Reg McBride 4th on 23 points. These are a second set of results published in Motoring News dated 28 December 1961.

I believe Bill drove two different VW Beetles in 1961 - WVJ 606 which he had also driven in 1960, and was used at least on the 1961 Welsh Rally, and XVJ 230 which he used at least on the 1961 Express & Star, London and RAC. Bill won both the Motoring News and BTRDA Championships in 1961 in addition to the BRC. There is some suggestion that Bill planned on driving the below Simca in some 1961 events, but I have not been able to establish if he did indeed do so.

Picture from the Motoring News 23rd Feb 1961

1961 RAC Rally


The Simca is a partswork, and the Beetle is a modified/resprayed partsworks with homemade decals:


1962
Tony Fisher was a Privateer rally driver, with clearly a wealth of talent and someone who knew how to hustle a Mini Cooper.
With grateful thanks to Steve Entwistle who I met via Facebook and who has dived in to his archives for me, to the best of my knowledge/investigations, in 1962 he drove a 997cc Mini Cooper on all BRC events, apart from on the RAC rally where he drove a Reliant Sabre 4 (retired with a broken rear axle).

5/6 January 1962 – Welsh National Rally (South Wales AC) – Overall: 1, A T (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Austin Mini Cooper) 3121.22; 2, Ralph D Broad/Barry F Hughes (Austin 7) 3850.00; 3, Brian Harper/Miss Val Domleo (Sebring Sprite) 3960.44; 4, Mike Sutcliffe/Roy Fidler (Austin 7) 4130.07; 5, A Edmundson/John Middleton (Volkswagen) 4503.20; 6, Geoff J Mabbs/David Mabbs (Morris Mini-Minor) 4741.53; 7, Geoff Allen/Barry Hughes (Morris Mini-Minor) 4961.04; 8, John H La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Volkswagen) 4961.17; 9, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Austin Mini Cooper) 5321.30; 10, Jock Huggins/John Harding (Ford Anglia) 5893.21; 11, D H J Street/D Hayes (DKW Junior) 6282.51; 12, R D Tilley/John Griffiths (Austin Mini Cooper) 6242.22; 13, Phil Simister/R Pat Lichtensteiger (Ford Anglia) 6453.41; 14, Peter M Church/Ian G MacLeod (Morris Mini-Minor) 6734.24.  (No other finishers)
3/4 February 1962 – Cat’s Eyes Rally (Thames Estuary AC) – Overall: 1, E J Hatchett/R H Britt (Triumph Herald) 30; 2, Ian H Terry/Roy K Davies (Sunbeam Rapier) 40; 3, A T (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Austin Mini Cooper) 50; 4, A E (Bill) Bengry/David J Skeffington (Volkswagen) 60; 5, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Austin Mini Cooper) 80; 6, R (Bob) Bodle/Robin Foster (Volvo 122S B18) 80; 7, F W Ward/F S Herwin (Volkswagen) 100; 8, O S Whitehead/M S Bishop (Volkswagen) 130; 9, John J Stentiford/John E Trott (Austin Mini) 150; 10, N S Morley/G S Langley (Sunbeam) 150; 11, John La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Sunbeam Rapier) 150; 12, Alec T Lobb/Brian Lockyer (Vauxhall VX 4/90) 190; 13, Jock S Huggins/John K Harding (Ford Anglia) 200; 14, Peter E Astbury/D Robins (Morgan Plus 4) 200; 15, Norman Harvey/Denis S Cardell (Austin Mini Cooper) 210
16/17 March 1962 – Express & Star Rally (Wolverhampton & South Staffs CC) – Overall: 1, Miss Pat Moss/David Stone (SAAB) 0; 2, David Seigle-Morris/John R C Brown (Austin Mini Cooper) 3; 3, A T (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Austin Mini Cooper) 4; 4, Pat Giblett/David Mabbs (Austin-Healey 3000) 5; 5, Geoff Allen/Barry Hughes (Austin Mini Cooper) 6; 6, Vic Elford/Mike Butler (DKW Junior) 7; 7, Geoff F Flint/Geoff Kendall-Jackson (SIMCA) 7; 8, A E (Bill) Bengry/David Skeffington (Volkswagen) 7; 9, Brian Hadfield/Geoff D Haggie (Triumph Herald) 8; 10, John W Wadsworth/J Mike Wood (Triumph TR3A) 11; 11, Mike Sutcliffe/Roy Fidler (Austin Seven) 12; 12, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Austin Mini Cooper) 13; 13, Brian Culcheth/Peter J Noad (Austin-Healey Sprite) 14; 14, Dr John Spare/John F Bailey (Sunbeam Rapier) 17; 15, Phil Simister/R Pat Lichtensteiger (Ford Anglia) 17
30/31 March 1962 - Hopper Rally (Maidstone & Mid-Kent MC) – Overall: 1, Vic Elford/Mike Butler (DKW 800S) 147; 2, A T (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Austin Mini Cooper) 303; 3, I D L (Tiny) Lewis/John R C Brown (Triumph Herald) 354; 4, Brian E Culcheth/Peter J Noad (Sebring Sprite) 380; 5, John La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Sunbeam Rapier) 427; 6, E J Hatchett/R H Britt (Ford Anglia) 516; 7, B C Russell/Miss A Scott (Austin-Healey Sprite) 524; 8, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Austin Mini Cooper) 530; 9, K Jury/D J Durrell (Austin Seven) 531; 10, Miss Pat Moss/David Stone (SAAB) 558; 11, Leo V Cruttenden/Stuart R Gray (DKW 800S) 565; 12, John Sprinzel/A A Graham Robson (Triumph TR3) 592; 13, N A Porter/G C Davies (Triumph Herald) 598; 14, Peter E Astbury/Ron Crellin (Morgan Plus 4) 616; 15, Martin Mobsby/Tony Straker (Austin Seven) 660
7/8 April 1962 – Birmingham Post Rally (Midland AC) – Overall: 1, V Elford/M Butler (DKW 800S) 131/6 marks; 2, G H F Parkes/M Kempley (Jaguar 3.8) 165/6; 3, G S Boughton/D W Fisher (Austin Mini Cooper) 181/6; 4, M Grant/S Fisk (Mercedes-Benz) 18½; 5, J Oldham/F Davies (Mini Cooper) 205/6; 6, J la Trobe/J Chitty (Sunbeam Rapier) 21; 7, B T Hadfield/G D Haggie (Triumph Herald) 22½; 8, B Harper/R Crellin (Austin-Healey Sprite) 222/3; 9, P M Simister/B Melia (Ford Anglia); 10 R McBride/D Barrow (Austin Mini Cooper).  20 crews cleaned the route  Tony Fisher did not compete as he was Clerk-of-the-Course.
20/24 April 1962 – Circuit of Ireland Rally (Ulster AC) – Overall: 1, P Hopkirk/J Scott (Sunbeam Rapier) 11,5; 2, C Vard/D Reynolds (Austin Mini) 28.2; 3, G H F Parkes/G W Howarth (Austin-Healey 3000) 41.8; 4, R A Clark/J Porter (Austin Mini Cooper) 44.4; 5, R L D Pinkerton/H Patton (Austin Mini Cooper) 70.1; 6, M J O’Mahoney/R H Tilson (Volkswagen) 74.8; 7, R D G McBurney/J D Surgenor (Volkswagen) 82.4; 8, F A Robinson/J R Davidson (Volkswagen 1500) 83.2; 9, K Sherry/S de Barra (Volkswagen) 110.7; 10, F P P Johnson/I D Turkington (Sebring Sprite) 113.8  Touring cars up to 850cc: 1, C Vard/D Reynolds (Austin Mini) 28.2; 2, J W Emerson/B Doyle (Morris Mini Minor) 175.7; 3, N T Smith/J L Conway (NSU 600) 210.7; 4, W A Reed/G Hoare (Morris Mini Minor) 332.8; 5, R Noble/P Coulter (Morris Mini Minor) 401.8; Touring Cars 850-1300cc: 1, R A Clark/J Porter (Austin Mini Cooper) 44.4; 2, R L D Pinkerton/H Patton (Austin Mini Cooper) 70.1; 3, M J O’Mahoney/R H Tilson (Volkswagen) 74.8; 4, R D G McBurney/J D Surgenor (Volkswagen) 82.4; 5, K Sherry/S de Barra (Volkswagen) 110.7; Touring cars over 1300cc: 1, P Hopkirk/J Scott (Sunbeam Rapier) 11,5; 2, F A Robinson/J R Davidson (Volkswagen 1500) 83.2; 3, J R McSpadden/J L Armstrong (Volkswagen 1500) 116.8; 4, G J C L’Amie/F D Erskine (Ford Classic) 180.9; 5, K la Trobe/J Chitty (Sunbeam Rapier) 215.2; GT cars up to 1300cc: 1, F P P Johnson/I D Turkington (Sebring Sprite) 113.8; 2, A J L Boyd/M N Johnstone (Sebring Sprite) 116.8; 3, J Fildes/Miss S O’Cleary (MG Midget) 142.6; 4, H C MacNamara/R Foot (Austin-Healey Sprite) 166.5; 5, G P C Thompson/C McLaughlin (Austin-Healey Sprite) 224.8; GT cars over 1300cc: 1, G H F Parkes/G W Howarth (Austin-Healey 3000) 41.8; 2, J Woodside/E Crawford (Austin-Healey Sprite super-charged) 133.8; 3, C A Gunn/B Cusack (MGA) 194.6; 4, C W Eyre-Maunsell/A de M Greeves (Sunbeam Alpine) 233.6; 5, H J O’Connor/N Donovan (Triumph TR4) 374.1
12/13 May 1962 – Morecambe Rally (Lancashire AC) – Overall: 1, G Don Grimshaw/Horace Beighton (Austin-Healey 3000) 63; 2, David E Pollard/A (Tony) Baines (Sunbeam Alpine) 81; 3, Andrew W Cowan/Ross Finlay (Sunbeam Rapier) 83; 4, Brian T Hadfield/Geoff D Haggie (Triumph Herald) 97; 5, Phil Simister/R Pat Lichtensteiger (Ford Anglia) 104; 6, Keith G Watkinson/Mrs Margaret Rogers (MGA) 108; 7, J E C Oldham/F Davies (Morris Mini Cooper) 116; 8, Alan K Cooke/Geoff W Halliwell (MGA) 124; 9, John W Waddington/J Mike Wood (Triumph TR3A) 1627; 10, G H F Parkes/G W Howarth (Austin-Gealey 3000) 1/86; 11, Leo Bertorelli/A (Tony) Straker (Triumph Herald) 1/86; 12, J P Bladam/Mike Kempley (Austin-Healey Sprite) 1/93; 13, J H Ray/John Hopwood (Austin Mini) 1/90; 14, A Edmundson/J Middleton (Volkswagen) 1/116; 15, J R Brown/J Youd (Ford Zephyr) 1/121.  (Note. There were 9 clean sheets, the penalties shown are for the special stage tie-decider. 10th place onwards includes both road and stage penalties)
16/17 June 1962 – International Scottish Rally (Royal Scottish AC) – Overall: 1, A W Cowan/D Thompson (Sunbeam Rapier) 11; 2, A T Fisher/Mrs P Fisher (Austin Mini Cooper) 15; 3, R T Hadrow (Jaguar E-Type) 16; 4, E P Foden (Morris Mini Cooper) 17; 5, A H McGrady (Volvo 122S) 19; 6, Mrs A Mickel (Austin-Healey Sprite) 22; 7, J A Hall (Austin-Healey Sprite) 28; 8, T Woods (Vauxhall VX4/90) 33; 9, R T Steenson (Austin 7) 35; 10, Per Dela (Volvo 122S) 37; 11, W P S Melville (Porsche 90) 40; 12,  A McCracken (Ford Anglia) 42
23/24 June 1962 – Plymouth National Rally (Plymouth MC) – Overall: 1, B J Brace/S Turner (Mini); 2, G J Tripp/R A Ward (Mini Cooper); 3, D de Souza/P Baker (Mini Cooper); 4, J H Partridge/M P W Britton (Mini); 5, A J Taylor/Mrs S Taylor (Mini Cooper); 6, M MacGregor/C W Rivers (Triumph TR2); 7, L V Cruttenden/S R Gray (DKW 800S); 8, A Griffiths/R Turvey (Austin-Healey); 9, S G Davey/T Bosence (Ford Anglia); 10, A T Fisher/B Melia (Mini Cooper); Touring cars up to 1000cc: 1, G J Tripp/R A Ward (Mini Cooper); 2, D de Souza/P Baker (Mini Cooper).  Over 1000cc: 1, A T Lobb/B Lockyer (Vauxhall VX 4/90); 2, A E Bengry/D J Sheffington (Volkswagen 1500)’ GT cars up to 1000cc: 1, B J Brace/S Turner (Mini); 2, M E Lane/F McKenna (Mini).  1000-1600cc: 1, P W Ward/F S Herwin (Triumph Herald); 2, J J Richardson/W J Reeves (MGA).  Over 1600: 1, M MacGregor/C W Rivers (Triumph TR2); 2, A Griffiths/R Turvey (Austin-Healey)
18/19 August 1962 – Bolton Rally (Bolton-le-Moors CC) – Overall: 1, A (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Mini Cooper) 9; 2, Robin N Richards/G C Davies (MGA) 14; 3, Geoff J Allen/Barry Hughes (Mini Cooper) 15; 4, David E Pollard/Tony Baines (Sunbeam Rapier) 16; 5, Roy Fidler/John G Hopwood (Ford Anglia) 18; 6, Alan J Taylor/Mrs Sheila M Taylor (Mini Cooper) 23; 7. Phil Simister/John R C Brown (Ford Anglia) 23; 8, John La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Sunbeam Rapier) 24; 9, J B Whitehead/Roy Dixon (Ford Anglia) 30; 10, Ian Terry/R Britt (Ford Anglia) 31; 11, ?/E (Ted) Rowlands (?) ?; 12 ?/? (?); 13, A E (Bill) Bengry/? (Volkswagen) ?; 14, John Anderton/Keith Barrowclough (Ford Anglia) ?; =15, Don Grimshaw/? (Austin-Healey 3000) ?; =15, Vic Elford/Mike Butler (DKW 800S) ?
21/22 September 1962 – London National Rally (London MC) – Overall: 1, B Harper/R Creloin (Austin-Healey Sprite) 252; 2, A T Fisher/B Melia (Mini Cooper) 376; 3, G H F Parkes/R Dixon (AusytyinHealey 3000) 380; 4, A E Bengry/D J Skeffington (Volkswagen 1500) 396; 5, N Harvey/D Cardell (Mini Cooper) 457; 6, D H Holland/R A Binns (Mini Cooper) 459; 7, H Jacoby/I Middleton (Triumph TR4) 574; 8, G Allen/B Hughes (Mini Cooper) 625; 9, V Elford/M Burler (DKW) 630; 10, D Astle/J R C Brown (Morris 1100) 658; 11, H Faure/M A Pirie (Mini Cooper) 665; 12, J Sprinzel/G Robson (Triumph TR4) 717; 13, B Stevens/J King (Mini Cooper) 729.  No other finishers listed.
13/14 October 1962 – Bournemouth Rally (West Hants & Dorset CC) – Overall: 1, A T (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Mini Cooper); 2, Miss Pat Moss/David Stone (SAAB); 3, John La Trobe/Mike Butler (Volkswagen); 4, ?/David Skeffington; 14, Alan J Taylor/Mrs Sheila M Taylor.  (Note. No results available at finish … Motor Rally November edition states that results will not be forthcoming for some time yet.)
12/18 November 1962 – RAC Rally (RAC) – Overall: 1, E Carlsson/D Stone (SAAB) 204; 2, P B Hopkirk/J W S Scott (Austin-Healey 3000) 264; 3, Miss P Moss/Mrs P Mayman (Austin-Healey 3000) 314; 4, I D L Lewis/D Mabbs (Sunbeam Rapier) 349; 5, R Aaltonen/J Ambrose (Morris Mini Cooper) 352; 6, H C Taylor/B Melia (Ford Anglia Super) 354; 7, T A Makinen/J Steadman (Morris Mini Cooper) 394; 8, G Andersson/D Johns (Volvo122S) 397; 9, J J Thuner/J M Gretener (Triumph TR4) 430; 10, Mrs S Osterberg/Mrs G Pattison (Volvo 122S) 442; 11, K James/M Hughes (Rover) 444; 12, L Gillmo/L Bergdren (Volvo 122S) 448; 13, W L Morrison/R Finlay (Morris Mini Cooper) 449; 14, J Cuff/N Baguley (Rover) 456; 15, J Sprinzel/W Cave (Triumph TR4) 459; 16, M Sutcliffe/R Fidler (Triumph TR4) 460; 17, P Bolton/M Kempley (Volvo 122S) 488; 18, T Paton/R Dixon (Morris Mini Cooper) 514; 19, B Hadfield/G D Haggie (Ford Allardette) 518; 20, D Pollard/A Baines (Sunbeam Rapier) 519.  GT category up to 1600cc: 1, R Aaltonen/J Ambrose (Morris Mini Cooper); 6, H C Taylor/B Melia (Ford Anglia Super); 3, W L Morrison/R Finlay (Morris Mini Cooper); GT category over 1600cc: 1, P B Hopkirk/J W S Scott (Austin-Healey 3000); 3, Miss P Moss/Mrs P Mayman (Austin-Healey 3000); 3, J J Thuner/J M Gretener (Triumph TR4); Touring category up to 850cc: 1, E Carlsson/D Stone (SAAB); 2, T S Baker/J Handley (Austin Mini); 3, J G Bowes/J H Wheatley (SAAB); Touring category 850cc to 1000cc: 1, T A Makinen/J Steadman (Morris Mini Cooper); 2, T Paton/C Dixon (Morris Mini Cooper); 3, L Gibson/H F Murland (Morris Mini Cooper); Touring category 1000cc to 1600cc: 1. I D L Lewis/D Mabbs (Sunbeam Rapier); 2, D Pollard/A Baines (Sunbeam Rapier); 3, M Day/B Stevens (Volkswagen 1500); Touring category over 1600cc: 1, G Andersson/D Johns (Volvo 122S); 2, Mrs S Osterberg/Mrs D Pattison (Volvo 122S); 3, K James/M Hughes (Rover). Tony Fisher was entered at number 36, but no info on finishing position, or retirement
30 November/1 December 1962 – Rally of the Vales (Swansea MC) – Overall: 1, John La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Vauxhall VX 4/90) 70; 2, Phil Simister/Graham Robson (Allardette) 80; 3, A (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Austin Mini Cooper) 140; 4, Alwyn Jones/Roy Jones (Mini Cooper) 150; 5, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Allardette) 170; 6, A (Bill) Bengry/David Skeffington (SAAB 60) 240; 7, Ian Smart/H Britton (Mini) 270; 8, David Pollard/A (Tony) Baines (Sunbeam Rapier) 290; 9, Reg Galpin/John Owen (Mini Cooper) 300; 10, Geoff Allen/Barry Hughes (Austin Mini Cooper) 320; 11, I Thomas/Derek Tucker (MGA) 440; 12, Ian Terry/Roy Davies (Allardette) 1F 180; 13, David Davies/Denis Cardell (Mini Cooper) 1F 350; 14, Doug Ray/Stuart Gray (Allardette) 1F 430; 15, Norman Harvey/D Jenkins (Mini Cooper) 1F 440
Truly a worthy winner of the 1962 BRC. Tony also won the BTRDA and Motoring News Championships in 1962.

1962 Bolton

1962 RAC


1963
Tony used the same Mini in 1963 but added to it an International Grp 2 spec Cooper 1071cc car which was not eligible for BRC events other than the RAC rally. 1962 was going to be a near impossible act to follow, but Tony certainly backed up his success from the prior year.

Cat’s Eyes Rally (Thames Estuary AC) Overall: 1, A T Fisher/B Melia (Mini Cooper) 80; 2, Miss P Moss/D Stone (Ford Anglia) 90; 3, R Clark/J Porter (Mini) 130; 4, J la Trobe/J Chitty (Vauxhall) 140; 5, P Simister/G Robson (Allardette) 150; 6, N Harvey/D Cardell (Mini Cooper) 190; 7, Whitehead/Bishop 210; 8, Mrs P Mayman/Miss V Domleo (Mini Cooper) 240; 9, P Jackson/J R C Brown (Panhard Tiger) 250; 10, A H Lewis/J Nottingham 290; 11, A W Cowab/B Coyle 350; 12, P Easter/? 400; 13, R McCartneyt/T A Harriman 530; 14, M J Amos/P Warwicker 1080; 15, A T Lobb/B Lockyear 1570
16/17 March 1963 – Express & Star Rally (Wolverhampton & South Staffs CC) – Overall: 1, A T (Tony) Fisher/Brian Melia (Austin Mini Cooper) 14; 2, David Seigle-Morris/David Stone (Ford Anglia) 19; 3, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Ford Anglia) 22; 4, Doug H Ray/A J (Tony) Straker (Allardette) 37; 5, C C Nesbit/J Williams (Morris Mini Cooper) 37; 6, Robin N Richards/G C Davis (MGB) 40; 7, Andrew W Cowan/Brian C Coyle (Sunbeam Rapier) 41; 8, D W J Thorne/I D Cameron (Ford Anglia) 43; 9, Mike Sutcliffe/T W (Ted) Rowlands (Ford Anglia) 43; 10, John Anderton/Mike Kempley (Allardette) 43; 11, John La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Volkswagen) 44; 12, David Bache/Ian McLeod (Morris 1100) 47; 13, Harry Jacoby/Mike Mylchreest (Triumph Spitfire) 54; 14, Alan C Cook/Mike Wood (Austin Mini) 1F 39; 15, Ian H Terry/Roy K Davies (Allardette) 1F 45
30/31 March 1963 – Hopper Rally (Maidstone & Mid-Kent MC) Overall: 1, J La Trobe/J Chitty (Sunbeam Rapier) 40+180[ 2, J Sprinzel/Mrs E Lewley (Allardette) 90+209; 3, A Lobb/B Lockyear (Vauxhall VX4/90) 30+208; 4, P Steiner/B Cumbers (Mini Cooper) 140+247; 5, D Harris/R McCabe (Mini Cooper) 110+283; 6, B Chambers/R Green (Sunbeam Rapier) 100+294; 7, E Hatchett/R Britt (Renault R8) 90+306; 8, N Harvey/D Cardell (Mini Cooper) 170+238; 9, A Skelton/R Cooper (Austin-Healey Sprite) 170+260; 10, R Jamieson/Mrs Jamieson (Mini Cooper) 180+274.  Penalties show road penalties + test penalties
5/6 April 1963 – Birmingham Post Rally (Midland AC) Overall: 1, R McBride/D Barrow (Allardette) 14; 2, A T Fisher/B Melia (Mini Cooper) 16; 3, P Simister/G Robson (Allardette) 18; 4, S Allard/T Fisk (Allardette) 26; 5, R Richards/G Dvaies (MGB) 31; 6, D H Ray/? (Allardette) 35; 7, D Seigle-Morris/M Baker (Ford Anglia) 41; 8, A T Lobb/B Lockyear (Vauxhall VX4/90) 46; 9, D Bache/I G MacLeod (Morris 1100) 49; 10, J R Gibson/D Skeffington (Volkswagen 1200) 51; 11, I O Holmes/D Smith (Mini Cooper) 51; 12, C A Twigdon/L Chilvers (Austin-Healey Sprite) 59
3/16 April 1963 – Circuit of Ireland Rally (Ulster AC) Overall: 1, I Woodside/E Crawford (1098 Austin-Healey s/c) 116.7; 2, R D G McBurney/J D Surgenor (1095 Okrasa-Volkswagen) 132.0; 3, A J L Boyd/M N Johnston (1592 Sunbeam Rapier) 135.8; 4, C Molyneux/H Patton (997 Austin Mini Cooper) 161.5;  5, R J Woodside/N Henderson (1122 Mini Cooper) 161.7; 6, C Vard/D C Reynolds (997 Austin Mini Cooper) 170.3; 7, M Acheson/J Long (2138 Triumph TR4) 193.7; 8, D D Boyd/D B Crawford (997 Austin Mini Cooper) 198.7; 9, J S McClean/R English (997 Austin Mini Cooper) 210.0; 10, J R Kennerley/J Jones (3781 Jaguar) 211.8.  Class 1, Touring cars up to 850cc: 1, D Glover/M Bassett (Austin Mini) 235.2; 2, M Ivis/R Meyer (Austin Mini) 272.6; 3, J S Moore/R H Tiulson (Austin Mini) 378.4  Class 2, Touring cars 851-1300cc: 1, C Molyneux/H Patton (997 Austin Mini Cooper) 161.5;  2, D D Boyd/D B Crawford (997 Austin Mini Cooper) 198.7; 3, J S McClean/R English (997 Austin Mini Cooper) 210.0  Class 3, Touring cars 1301-1600cc: 1, A J L Boyd/M N Johnston (1592 Sunbeam Rapier) 135.8; 2, M B Day/R Irwin (1493 Volkswagen) 241.6; 3, J H la Trobe/J Chitty (1592 Sunbeam Rapier) 249.0  Class 4, Touring cars over 1600cc: 1, J R Kennerley/J Jones (3781 Jaguar) 211.8, no other finishers.  Class 5, GT cars up to 1300cc:  1, R D G McBurney/J D Surgenor (1095 Okrasa-Volkswagen) 132.0; 2, R J Woodside/N Henderson (1122 Mini Cooper) 161.7; 3, C Vard/D C Reynolds (997 Austin Mini Cooper) 170.3  Class 6, GT cars over 1300cc: 1, I Woodside/E Crawford (1098 Austin-Healey s/c) 116.7; 2, M Acheson/J Long (2138 Triumph TR4) 193.7; 3, A T Fisher/R Crellin (1703 Reliant Sabre 4) 235.7
Morecambe Rally (Lancashire AC) Cancelled due to insufficient entries
3-7 June 1963 – Scottish International Rally (Royal Scottish AC) Overall: 1, A Cowan/D Thomson (Sunbeam Rapier) 125; 2, R Clark/H Patton (Mini Cooper) 133; 3, H Wilson/R Wilson (Sunbeam Rapier) 177; 4, J McInnes/Mrs A McInnes (Vauxhall VX4/90) 195; 5, I Woodside/A Boyd (Austin-Healey Sprite) 215; 6, D Boyd/B Crawford (Mini Cooper) 248; 7, J McFadden/? (Volkswagen 1500) 248; 8, C McRae/? (Triumph Spitfire) 277; 9, M White/P Mackintosh (?) 282; 10, G Garvey/? (Mini Cooper) 283; 11, J Hall/? (Austin-Healey Sprite) 291; 12, W Dryden/? (Vauxhall VX4/90) 299
28/29 June 1963 – Plymouth Rally (Plymouth MC) Overall: 1, John H Partridge/Mike P W Britton (Mini) 78.8; 2, Alan J Taylor/Mrs Sheila Taylor (Mini Cooper0 99.4; 3, Ivan O Holmes/Derek Smith (Mini Cooper) 119.6; 4, Norman R Pocock/Stuart R Gray (Mini Cooper) 151.4; 5, Brian Brace/M Pirie (Renault R8) 1712; 6, Dennis P Keen/Mrs J D Vaughan (Austin-Healey Sprite) 212.0
Rally of the Vales (Swansea MC) Overall: 1, Frank Grange/John Brown (Ford Anglia) 9; 2, Norman Harvey/ Denis Cardell (Mini Cooper) 11; 3, T Reid-Gibbs/K Eustace (Allardette 1300) 14; 4, Gerry Bloom/Barry Hughes (Mini Cooper) 15; 5, Mike Sutcliffe/Barry Potts (Morris 1100) 15; 6, Alan Taylor/Mrs Sheila Taylor (Mini Cooper) 18; 7, Reg McBride/Don Barrow (Ford Anglia) 19; 8, Robin N Richards/G Davies (Ford Cortina GT) 26; 9, Doug Ray/A (Tony) Straker (Allardette) 27; 10, Phil Simister/Graham Robson (Ford Cortina GT) 28; 11, John La Trobe/Julian Chitty (Vauxhall VX 4/90) 28; 12, Alec Lobb/Brian Lockyear (Ford Cortina GT) 31; 13, Bill Bengry/Roy Jones (Volvo 122) 34; 14, A E (Ted) Cowell/John Davenport (Triumph Herald 1200) 35; 15, D T Nicholas/ A E Hughes (Mini Cooper) 35
Cannot find a record of what Round 10 might have been.  Possibly the West Hants & Dorset CC Bournemouth Rally which was scheduled for 12/13 October 1963 but can find no report or results and there is a suggestion that no results were printed due to multiple protests.
RAC Rally (RAC) Overall: 1, T Trana/S Lindstrom (Volvo PV544) 246; 2, H Kallström/G Haggbom (Volkswagen 1500S) 293; 3, E Carlsson/G Palm (SAAB Sport) 293; 4, P Hopkirk/H Liddon (Mini Cooper S) 306; 5, T Makinen/M Wood (Austin-Healey 3000) 311; 6, H Taylor/B Melia (Ford Lotus-Cortina) 347; 7, P Moss/J Nadin (Ford Cortina GT) 356; 8, G Andersson/D Johns (Volvo PV544) 358; 9, D Morley/E Morley (Austin-Healey 3000) 363; 10, C Orrenius/R Dohlgren (Mini Cooper S) 376; 11, O Dahl/R Irwin (SAAB Sport) 388; 12, B Jansson/E Patterson(Volkswagen 1500S) 396; 13, R Larsson/B Nusson (Volkswagen 1600S) 397; 14, P Riley/A Nash (Ford Cortina GT) 411; 15, A Hall/P Spencer (Ford Cortina GT) 423; 15, B Soderstroöm/R Joisson (Volkswagen 1500S) 442; 17, J J Thuner/J Gretener (Triumph TR4) 472; 18, D Pollard/A Baines 9Sunbeam Rapier) 522; 19, L Morrison/R Finlay (Mini Cooper) 530; 20, T Hunter/J King (Mini Cooper) 543.  Class 1, Touring up to 850cc: 1, E Carlsson/G Palm (SAAB Sport); 2, O Dahl/R Irwin (SAAB Sport); 3, D Hiam/R Crellin (Mini 850).   Class 2, Touring 850cc to 1000cc: 1, L Morrison/R Finlay (Mini Cooper); 2, T Hunter/J King (Mini Cooper); 3, M Hinde/J Barritt (SIMCA 1000),  Class 3, Touring 1000cc to 1600cc: 1, H Kallström/G Haggbom (Volkswagen 1500S); 2, P Hopkirk/H Liddon (Mini Cooper S); 3, H Taylor/B Melia (Ford Lotus-Cortina).  Class 4, Tourign over 1600cc: 1, T Trana/S Lindstrom (Volvo PV544); 2, G Andersson/D Johns (Volvo PV544); 3 A Bengry/B Hughes (Rover 3-litre). Class 5, GT up to 1150cc: 1, A Andersson/P Ardahl (SAAB Sport); 2, N Harvey/D Cardell (Mini Cooper S); 3, D Wilson-Spratt/J Bayliss (Mini Cooper S).  Class 6, GT 1150cc to 2500cc: 1, P Moss/J Nadin (Ford Cortina GT); 2, P Riley/A Nash (Ford Cortina GT); 3, J J Thuner/J Gretener (Triumph TR4). Class 7, GT over 2500cc: 1, T Makinen/M Wood (Austin-Healey 3000); 2, D Morley/E Morley (Austin-Healey 3000); 3, G H F Parkes/R Dixon (Reliant Sabrre).  A T Fisher/G J Mabbs (Austin Mini Cooper S) were seeded at 31 but no results found.

So Tony's early season heroics where enough to secure Tony a back to back BRC overall win in 1963. Tony also won the BTRDA in 1963.

1963 Express and Star

1963 RAC

These are modified/resprayed partsworks with homemade decals. One day if the gods are smiling, I hope to be able to source a base model to be able to make the Reliant Sabre 4's from the 1962 RAC and 1963 Circuit of Ireland.

The 70’s

1970
The BRC in 1970 saw the end of the old age when Will Sparrow won three of the nine qualifying events, with victory on the road event Rally of the Vales before wins on both the Welsh and the Hackle special stage events.  The car was a very well prepared Mini Cooper S, a throwback to the previous age of rallying.  Sparrow’s main challenger was fellow privateer Chris Sclater who went on to take the title in 1971. Will Sparrow used 2 Mk2 Mini Cooper S cars during 1970. Will built his cars from bare shells himself so some officianados won’t call them true Cooper S’.

WNX700H. It ran a 1275cc engine and won the Vales early in the season and was 1st overall on the 1970 Welsh Rally which was the last international rally event won by a Mini (excluding the BMW version :-)). Will modified the car to include a bonnet "bulge" and additional bonnet vents for better air flow to accomodate a different carb set up late during the 1970 season and it was in this form that it won the Red Hackle event. It was rolled in Oct 1970 on the Tour of Mull and returned in 1971 with a Clubman front end.

VNX700H. Group 2 1275 Mk 2 Cooper S used to win his class and finish 11th overall on 1970 RAC which was a qualifying event in the BRC that year.

7th/8th February – Highland C&MCC - Snowman - won by Jimmy Rae.
27th/31st March – Ulster COI – won by Roger Clark in a Ford Escort RS1600 Mk 1 - Will finished outside top 10 – he did enter though, car #17
11th/12th April – Swansea MC – Rally of the Vales – 1st
25th/26th April – Aberdeen DMC – Granite City - won by Bob Bean in a Ford Escort Twin Cam - Will's finish is unknown - ?
8th/10th May – South Wales AC – Fram (Welsh) Rally – 1st
22nd/23rd May – Manx AS – Manx Trophy – won by Chris Sclater in a Ford Escort Twin Cam - Will's finish is unknown but at least outside the top 10 if he entered
6th/12th June – Royal Scottish AC – Scottish - won by Brian Culcheth in a Triumph 2.5 PI - Will's finish is unknown but at least outside the top 10 if he entered
22nd/27th June – London MC – London (NOT LISTED AS AN EVENT ON EWRC)
24th/25th July – 55 CC – Red Hackle – 1st
18th/19th September – Wolverhampton and S. Staffs Express and Star (NOT LISTED AS AN EVENT ON EWRC AND NO WINNER SHOWN FOR 1970 ON WSSCCRALLY.ORG.UK WEBSITE SO MAY NOT HAVE RUN)
13th/20th November – RAC – RAC - Won by Harry Kallstrom in a Lancia Fulvia HF 1.6. Top BRC driver was Andrew Cowan in a Renault Alpine A110 1600S in 5th place. Will finished 11th overall.

Note: The above were the supposed qualifying events for the BRC according to the RAC blue book, however, EWRC lists a number of other events that alledgedly formed part of that years championship. Whether this is EWRC getting it wrong, or additional events being added post the RAC book being published is unclear to me.

Potential other events in 1970
24th/25th April – Texaco - won by Cathal Curley in a Ford Escort Twin Cam?
30th May – Ulster -  won by Cathal Curley in a Ford Escort Twin Cam - ?

1970 Welsh

1970 Hackle

1970 RAC

These are 2 de-decaled/repainted Vitesse models and a de-decaled partswork with homemade decals.


1971
The 1971 season was going to consist of 12 rounds, starting with the Snowman Rally, and culmanating with the RAC. Round 1 kicked off with a win for Roy Fidler in his Mk1 Escort Twin Cam. Colin Malkin was 2nd in his Hillman Imp and Jimmy Rae 3rd in his Escort Mk1 GT. Chirs Sclater didn't enter the season opener. Round 2 saw Chris Sclater kick off his season properly with a fine 2nd place at the Circuit of Ireland in his Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 XOO 354F, splitting the Escort Twin Cams of Adrian Boyd (1st) and Billy Coleman (3rd). The famous `XOO’ series of registered cars stand out as the first Escort Twin Cam rally cars built by Boreham – “354F” spent much of its early life as a test/practice machine before being pressed into service as an 1800cc, 180bhp Group 6 car for Hannu Mikkola on the French Alpine rally in 1969. `XOO 354F’ proved fast on the early stages but did not finish, being forced to retire with rear axle failure. Roger Clark is known to have used the “354F” as a recce car before it was sold off to Works-supported driver Chris Slater in late 1970. Round 3 was the Granite City, which Roger Clark won in his Mk1 RS1600. Chris Sclater sat this event out. Round 4 was the Fram Castrol International Welsh Rally, with an interesting top 3 of Tony Fall in his Datsun 240Z, Will Sparrow in his Mini Clubman GT and Colin Malkin in his Hillman Imp. Unfortunately, Chris retired his Escort with engine problems. Round 5 saw a much better outcome though, as Chris won the Scottish rally ahead of Mike Hibbert and Roy Fidlers RS1600's and followed it up in round 6 with a fine 2nd place, splitting the Escort Twin Cam's of tarmac specialists Adrian Boyd and Dessie McCartney on the Texaco Rally. Back to gravel for round 7 which was the Hackle, and Chris finished in 2nd place, 2min 21 seconds behind the winner, the great Roger Clark. Round 8 was the Manx International, which was won by Roger, ahead of the excellent tarmac driver, Adrian Boyd, in his Escort TC and Roy Fidler in another RS1600 in 3rd. No record exists as to whether Chris participated in this event, but he finished outside of the top 10 if he did. Gravel was clearly to Chris' liking though, as he took 2 excellent wins on round 9 (Lindisfarne) and 10 (Dukeries).  The season finale, the RAC, didn't end the way Chris would have wanted, due to a transmission failure, and despite Roger finishing 11th, Roger was the leading BRC contender and so it is treated as a win for the championship. That result meant that Roger finished the season with 4 outright victories to Chris' 3, but Chris still took the title for his first and only British Rally Championship win.

1971 Scottish

1971 RAC

Chris Sclater’s 1971 Escort RS1600 (1.8l) – Partswork plus homemade decals/Rallymodels.co.uk decals to represent the winning Scottish Rally car. and Trofeu British Rally Legends model of his "DNF" RAC car from that year. Chris won the Scottish, Lindisfarne, Burmah and Dukeries BRC rallies in 1971.


1972
Roger Clark came home from his international activities and running an Escort prepared by the official Ford factory team Clark won the national title for the next two years - these his 2nd and 3rd wins in the Championship, both times driving Escort RS1600's (now in 2.0l form).
The 1972 season started with the Mintex Seven Dales rally, and Roger was straight in to the swing of things by winning the first event. Round 2 was the Granite City rally and very much a case of "rinse wash repeat" as Roger took his second win in a row. On to round 3 (the International Welsh) and things were already looking ominous for the competition as Roger won by over 3 mins from Barry Lee's RS1600, with Tony Fowkes Mk1 Twin Cam in 3rd place. Round 4 saw Roger come up against the might of a Finnish legend in Hannu Mikkola on the Scottish and coming off 2nd best as he finished runner up to the Finn with Chris Sclater in 3rd place. Round 5 was in Ireland for the Texaco Rally, and in what would become an apparent pattern, it doesn't appear that Roger went across the Irish sea for the tarmac event, which was won by Cathal Curley in his BMW 2002 Ti. Back in Blighty for the Burmah on round 6 and yep, Roger takes the win again, and then on to the Manx rally for round 7 and Roger demonstrated he had the ability to win on Tarmac by coming home ahead of the Clan Crusader of Andy Dawson. Round 8 is the Lindisfarne and this time Roger has to retire the Uniflo Mk1, leaving the door open for Mike Hibbert to lead home a trio of RS1600's. With that little bit of bad luck out of the way, normal service is resumed with Roger winning round 9, the Dukeries, ahead of Mike Hibbert who backed up his previous round win with a fine 2nd place, and Chris Sclater in 3rd. Round 10 was the Hackle which Roger won comfortably, before moving on to the crown jewell in the season - the final round, the RAC. Here Roger took what most would consider the most famous victory in his career, cheered home by adoring crowds to become the first British winner of the RAC Rally since Gerald Burgess in his Ford Zephyr Six in 1959. A fitting way to cap off a fantastic season and a deserving winner of the 1972 RAC/Uniroyal/Autosport Rally Championship.
1972 Dukeries

The 1972 Dukeries car is from Trofeu’s British Rally Legends series.


1973
Clearly carrying on with where he left off, Roger started the 14 round 1973 season in the same outrageous form as he had been in 1972, winning the opening round Snowman Rally. When you are in form, and at one with your machine, you can just keep on winning, and Roger did so in style by taking round 2 which was the Mintex, ahead of Will Sparrow in his Vauxhall Firenza and Peter Clarke in his RS1600 Mk1.  Roger skipped round 3 which was the Circuit of Ireland which was won by Jack Tordoff in his Porsche 911 Carerra RS. On home turf, Roger won the 3rd event he had entered this season (the Granite City) and made it a scarcely believable 4 in a row at the 5th round, the International Welsh. There was no clear pattern developing of specific drivers delivering consistent results to challenge Roger for the title, so even at this early stage it looked very much like his title to lose. The 6th round saw a top 10 of Ford Escort RS1600 Mk 1's - certainly proving it was the car to have on loose surfaces. Of course, 5 wins on the spin would be rediculous, so this time winner was...... Roger again! There doesn't seem to be a record of Roger particpating in round 7, the Texaco Rally, but the winner was still an RS1600, this time pedalled by Adrian Boyd, with Tarmac Porsche specialist Cathal Curley finishing in 2nd place 1min 46 seconds adrift. What we do know is that Roger did enter rounds 8 (Jim Clark), 9 (Hackle) and round 10 (Burmah), because he won them all. Frankly, this was getting hard to comprehend how dominent Roger was. Back on tarmac for round 11 at the Manx rally, and again, no record of Roger compteing, but in his absence it was like a mirror image replay of the Texaco, with Adrian Boyd winning in his RS1600 and Cathal Curley 2nd in his Porsche. Back to gravel for round 12 and the Dukeries, and yep, you've guessed it, Roger is back listed as an entrant and promptly wins the loose surface event. At this stage you start to ask yourself whether Roger may have been avoiding tarmac events - i don't know the answer to that but what we can say is that he did enter round 13 which was the Lindisfarne and a mixed tarmac/gravel event which he promptly won. Which brings us to the final round (14) and the RAC Rally. Could Roger make it an unprecedented clean sweep of every event he appears to have entered? So close but no cigar as Timo Makinen wins the RAC with Roger nearly 5 mins behind, but absolutely no shame after a simply steller season. What a couple of years for Roger! The championship however suffered a blow at the end of 1973 when the fuel crisis engulfed the country right after the end of the final round of the season.

1973 Scottish

The 1973 Scottish Rally winning car is from IRM.



1974
The 1974 calendar was inevitably disturbed by the fuel crisis. The disruption to the British sporting calendar opened an opportunity for a second special stage series, specialising in one-day events viable for private drivers, the Castrol Autosport series.  This was a real success and provided a form of feeder series for the major BRC series. As mid decade approached so there was increased participation by professional teams in the BRC.  Following Ford came the Dealer Opel Team with Tony Pond and then the Datsun importers ran a Violet for Chris Sclater while Chrysler entered an Avenger for Colin Malkin, British Leyland a Triumph Dolomite Sprint for Brian Culcheth and Vauxhall were starting to an interest.  The first two rallies were cancelled but it was the year the fantastic Irish driver, Billy Coleman, challenged for the BRC. The series started with the Easter time Circuit of Ireland with Irish drivers taking the top four places, led by Cathal Curley in a Porsche 911 Carerra RS2.7, Ronnie (brother of Dessie) McCartney 2nd in a similar car and Billy taking 3rd place in his ex Chris Sclater Escort Mk1 RS1600 (1.8l). Round 2 was the Fram Castrol International Welsh Rally and Billy unbelievably took delivery of the car he would use for the event on the morning of the event (a ‘new’ ex-works Ford France MEV 36J with two litre alloy block BDA). Despite zero preparation and familirisation time, Billy finished 2nd behind Markku Alen in a similar car with Tony Pond 3rd also in an RS1600. For tarmac based round 3, the Texaco rally, back out came VVX958L and with it an outright win, the first of the season for Billy. Round 4 was the Jim Clark rally, but results are hard to find for this event and the only thing I know for certain is that Roger Clark won the event with no record located as to whether Billy entered the event or not. Round 5 (the Burmah) wasn't a great event for any of the likely championship winners, and although Tony Pond won the event in his Opel Ascona A, Clark was a miserable 41st and Billy even worse off in 51st. An event to forget for both drivers. With that behind them it was on to round 6 which was the Manx. The Northern Ireland tarmac specialists and their Porsche's were out in force again, and Cathal Curley delivered his 2nd outright win of the season followed home by Dessie McCartney.  Roger took 3rd place and Billy 4th in MEV 36J. Back to gravel for round 7 and the Dukeries. Billy finished in 7th place with Tony Drummond winning in his Mk1 RS1600. Round 8 and we are back to tarmac for the Lindisfarne rally, and Roger Clark takes the overall victory, but 3rd place for Billy Coleman in MEV 36J is enough to secure him the British Rally Championship. Billy, from the far south of Ireland, became the first non British resident to take the title, and set the scene for years to come. In the end nine rounds counted for the series that year, the final event of which was the RAC Rally. which was won by Timo Makinen with Clark in 7th and Coleman in 8th in the now famous Thomas Motors of Blackpool livery. 
Extract from Stephen Mills’s account of the 1974 Championship winning year taken from Michael O'Carrolls Irish Motorsport Annual 96
Billy wanted me to stay to do the RAC Championship for the year, and in his words, "we could win".  What a challenge!
With such an invitation who would argue?  So with the combined efforts of Dan O'Sullivan, Evan Hughes (who had been Brian Cullen's mechanic, transporter driver, pit crew and confidante, all rolled into one from his Formula 2 days of 1970) and Billy, and myself we worked our way through a long list of championship events.  They covered Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England and we ended up as RAC Rally Champion 1974, before the final event of the series, the RAC Rally. A year that saw all kinds of antics and comments from many quarter, not to mention the opposition, which was everywhere.  
Coleman from Millstreet was one of the quickest drivers around and the shy man had the potential to become the best. In 1973 he bought his first ex-works Ford Escort from Chris Sclater, VVX 958L, which proceeded a ‘new’ ex-works Ford France MEV 36J with two litre alloy block BDA, which I took delivery of the day the Welsh Rally started in May 1974. I still have the receipt!  Evan Hughes and I collected the car from the Ford Competition Department at Boreham. It was on a trailer and we were to take it directly to the rally start at Cardiff.  As luck would have it the trailer burst a couple of tyres on the motorway to Cardiff and in order to get to the start before it was too late, I had to take the car off the trailer and drive it to the start. I can’t remember objecting, but I can remember the drive to Cardiff!!  Evan arrived later and, with a brand new car, which he had never seen prior to the start; Billy Coleman came away with a second place to Markku Alen in a works Escort.  That was the class of ‘the Kid’. The entire RAC championship was just that - a full season of events that required consistent application to the task on hand by all concerned.  The objective was to take the title out of England. Travelling through Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Ireland and England honed the four of us into a unique nucleus.  We completed the task as required and competed in a number of other events beside. The car was constantly being re-built after each event, or at least as much as time permitted.  One thing that stands out in my memory from that year is the fact that I was the only one to put a mark on the car. I chipped the paint with the jack handle in Wales on the first event.  Apart from that there was not a scratch put on the car throughout the season. At the end of that year, after the final event the RAC Rally in November, and the coveted title in the bag for Billy and Dan, I got the first available plane out to Australia to get way from the weather. Evan Hughes decided to come out as well, and at the last minute his brother Gordon joined us for the flight.  We are still here!  
Stephen Mills

1974 Texaco

1974 Welsh

The models here are the Texaco Rally winning (1.8l) RS1600 VVX958L and the 2nd place Welsh Rally (2.0l) MEV36J car - the former is a parts work with homemade decals, the latter is a Trofeu base with homemade decals.


1975
In 1975 two young men arrived on the scene.  From Finland, and set to forge his career on the British stage, was Ari Vatanen, and on occasion appeared a 17 year old man, who declared his work to be a car breaker, called Malcolm Wilson. The tempo of the series was hotting up, but cream will always rise to the top, and so it was with a previous 3 times champion adding a 4th British title to his lengthening list of achievements. The 10 round season kicked off with the Mintex Dales with the legend that is Billy Coleman carrying on with the momentum from the previous year with a great win in the MK1 RS1600. Roger Clark (also driving a Mk1 RS1600 at this point in the season) retired with engine failure (model in progress). Billy looked unstoppable at this stage taking another win on the Circuit of Ireland, and with 2 Porsches' taking the other podium steps, there was no sign of  Roger who had another retirement and could not have been optimistic at this stage. But all was about to change. A change of location and surface for round 3 (Granite City) and more importantly a change of car with the switch to the newly released Escort RS1800 MKII (2.0l) (Billy made a similar switch) saw Roger back on top with Billy just under 30 seconds behind in 3rd place.  Round 4 saw Roger cruise to victory on the International Welsh Rally nearly 4 1/2 minutes ahead of the 2nd place man Nigel Rockey in a Mk1 RS1600. It was Billy's turn to have bad luck as he retired from the event. The Scottish rally was round 5 and it was Clark's turn for back to back victories at the top of 3 of RS1800's with Brookes in 2nd and Coleman in 3rd. Back came Coleman again in a see-saw battle with Clark for the Championship by taking a clean victory by over 4 1/2 minutes in round 6 on the Jim Clark rally - I can't find a record of Roger participating in this event. Round 7 and back comes Clark again, winning the Burmah rally from Brookes and Coleman and then further strengthening his championship position in round 8 by winning the Manx International Trophy from Dessie McCartney's Porsche with Coleman finishing in back to back 3rd place. A trio of wins swiftly followed for Clark on round 9 (the Lindisfarne) with another RS1600 Mk 1 driven this time by John Taylor taking 2nd and Brian Culcheth pedaling his Dolomite sprint to a well deserved 3rd place, albeith over 5 mins behind Clark. Coleman was a lowly 18th on this event. And so it came to the final event of the season, with all to play for with only 3 points separating Clark in 1st from Coleman in 2nd - round 10 and the RAC rally. A strong 2nd place finish for Clark behind a Finnish driver (Timo Makinen), with Coleman finishing 6th saw Clark take the overall Championship and his 4th BRC win.

1975 Mintex

1975 Welsh


The Mintex rally car is a Trofeu base model with homemade decals. The Welsh rally car is from Trofeu's British Rally Legends series.


1976
Vatanen had lost no time in impressing the management personnel at Ford who arranged the support for him to tackle the British championship series in 1976.  In 1976 there were fourteen rounds which started with the Shellsport Tour of Dean. Roger Clark started the year in ominous style after his championship victory in 1975, with Ari Vatanen some 30 seconds behind and Brookes only 7 seconds behind Vatanen. Brookes entered round 2 which was the Snowman rally up in Scotland but with a different co-driver as John Brown was attending an important Welsh Association function, so Andrew Marriot was drafted in. Unfortunately, Brookes was a DNF or outside the top 10, and Airikkala won this event in the privately entered David Sutton RS1800, Clark second and Vatanen 3rd. At this early stage of the season it would have taken a brave man to bet against Clark repeating the heroics of the prior year. However round 3 saw Clark exit following an accident, Andy Dawson take victory in a Stratos, Brookes the bridesmaid again in second with Vatanen hard on his heels in third less than 10 seconds adrift of Brookes. Round 4 was the Granite City, which Brookes won comfortably by nearly a minute, Clark back on track in 2nd and Vatanen 3rd yet again. Round 5 was the Circuit of Ireland and a number of the championship contenders didn't attend with the notable exception of Brookes who finished 2nd. Round 6 was the International Welsh rally and it was here that the needle started to swing towards Vatanen as he took the event by a fairly unfathomable 6 mins 33 secs from Airikkala with Clark another 45 seconds behind in 3rd. Brookes and Clark took the top 2 spots on the Scottish in round 7 with Vatanen being  unfortunate to undo the results in the prior round due to a transmission failure. In a clear sign of the battle that was going to rage for the rest of the season, back came Vatanen again in round 9, the Jim Clark, with Brookes and Clark in hot pursuit. Round 9 was the Burmah and the first back to back victory for Vatanen with Clark and Brookes again completing the podium but this time in the reverse order from the prior round. Round 10 was the Ulster but a completely new podium this time with 3 different 911 Porsche models taking the top 3 steps, led by Cathal Curley, followed by Dessie McCartney and Brian Nelson. The 3 championship pretenders were all out (Clark Retired, Brookes Differential, Vatanen Accident) so no advantage gained by anyone. Round 11 though saw Vatanen make a break for the horizon, with a clear victory by over 3 mins, and Clark out due to an accident and Brookes due to clutch issues. Vatanen took his second back to back victory in round 12 on the Lindisfarne, with Clark not entering, and Brookes down in 11th position. Round 13 was the Castrol, and Brookes showed his fighting spirit to roar back with a victory. Vatanen finished way down in the field (117th) and Clark again absent. And so to the 14th and final round. After missing 2 events, Clark stamped his authority on the field by winning by 4 and half minutes from Blomqvist in the Saab 99 EMS and Waldegaard in another RS1800. Despite Brookes and Vatanen not finishing (head gasket and engine failures) Vatanen finished 10 points clear of Brookes with Clark one more point back in 3rd. Over the course of the season, Vatanen was a worthy winner with five outright wins, Brookes three, and Clark two. The first of 2 BRC wins for Vatanen and he went on to achieve WRC success is some style (World Champion!).

1976 Burmah

This is a Trofeu British Rally Legends model of his smashed up Burmah rally car (the other side of the car has a taped up front wing).


1977
There is little doubt that the late ‘70s were a hallmark period in the BRC.  Vauxhall went to the extreme of developing a 2.4 litre version of the Chevette with the demands of the British championship specifically in mind, engaging Pentti Airikkala another, Finn as their lead driver.  British Leyland found rallying a natural opportunity to publicise their new TR7 sports car, while manufacturers like Fiat and Saab from all over Europe paid visits to the BRC.  The attraction was clear.  Secret route rallying was very attractive economically.  Only the Manx Trophy Rally traditionally allowed reconnaissance, while the forest road rallies did no harm as practice events for the world championship RAC Rally.  It was not just the impact created by the cars which the foreign teams brought with them, it was the chance for their drivers to acquire the talents required for secret rallying. The great Russel Brookes drove the iconic Heat for Hire sponsored cars for a number of years, but his first BRC win was in 1977. Russell's season didn't get off to a great start as he was either a DNF or finished outside of the top 10 in the season opening Shellsport Dean Rally which was won by Hannu Mikkola's Toyota Celica 2000 GT. There is no record of Russell entering or exiting round 2 (the Mintex) which was won by Ari Vatanen in a Ford Escort RS1800 MkII but round 3 started a great sequence for Russell with victory in the Circuit of Ireland. Russell backed up that great result with victory in the round 4 on the Granite City, before retiring with gearbox issues in round 5 on the Western Mail International Welsh Rally. Pentti Airikkala took the Welsh honours in his Vauxhall Chevette HS 2300. Russell rallied in round 6, finishing 3rd on the Scottish ( Ari Vatanen taking victory in another RS1800 with Tony Pond in a TR7 second) before returning to the top step in round 7 on the Jim Clark. 2 second place finishes followed, behind Hannu Mikkola in a Toyota Celica on the Burmah International and behind Derek Boyd in a Porsche 911 Carerra RS 2.7 at the Ulster. Engine failure saw Russell fail to finish round 10 at the Manx which was won by Pentti, before being excluded in round 11 the Lindisfarne where Andy Dawson in his Escort RS1800 was on the top step of the podium. The final event of the year was the RAC and Brookes finished 3rd behind Waldegaard in an RS1800 and Mikkola in his trusty Celica and the title was his.

1977 Circuit of Ireland
Photo by Esler Crawford

This is a modified and repainted Trofeu model with bought and homemade decals to reflect his COI winning car from 1977.


1978
The original RAC British Rally Championship came to an end in 1977 and for 1978 the series was renamed the RACMSA British Open Rally Championship, in recognition of the newly established international flavour.  1978 saw the final throes of the Escort era when Hannu Mikkola won the title, Hannu's only BRC win, but like Vatanen he went on to greater success in the WRC.
For 1978 to 1984 I am going to cut and paste an excellent written summary by Martin Porter of BRC events from those years which I have sourced from this web site (http://hyppyrally.blogspot.co.uk/). If you like the write up, go on the web site as there are some good pictures from those years on the site.
Russell Brookes started the 1978 Mintex International Rally, the opening round of the inaugural Sedan Products Open Championship, as reigning British Champion. Then a young hotshot with a tendency to stuff his car into the scenery, he was the first driver in a generation to be able to match the pace of Roger Clark.

That he was immediately dicing for the lead with Finnish gravel experts Hannu Mikkola and Penti Airikkala shows how fast he really was, but his subsequent career shows the ghetto that British rallying was to get inself stuck in. In Brookes's first full season he had been dicing with Roger Clark, and in his last he was head-to-head with Colin McRae. But whilst Roger and Colin were to claim World Rally victories, Brookes rarely got a drive outside of the UK.

But back to 1978.

As well as Brookes, Clark, Mikkola and Airikkala there was the winner of the previous year's 1000 Lakes, Kyosti Hamalainen in an Escort, Jimmy McRae no longer in a Group 1 Magnum but a Group 4 Chevette, Tony Pond in a TR7 and Markku Alen in a Fiat 131 Abarth. Vauxhall had just had their Lotus designed cylinder head banned, so were down on power this year, whilst Leyland were in the process of shoe-horning a V8 into the TR7, meaning much more power.
Fiats were an unusual sight on British rallies. The previous year the Fiat-Ford battle for the WRC had gone to the wire and Fiat came within an ace of having to take on the Boreham team in their back yard to win. Knowing that the Escort beat the 131s hands down on blind forest stages they sent a car to the Open to get some much needed experience of British forests.
In the end Mikkola expired in the Yorkshire forests and Airikkala overcame the lack of grunt to beat Brookes into second, whilst old Roger Albert managed forth, just behind John Taylor's Haynes of Maidstone sponsored Escort.
The series next moved across the Irish sea for a blast from end-to-end of the Emerald Isle. The Circuit of Ireland was a unique challenge, a long, fast, bumpy and blind tarmac rally. Here the usual Escorts were joined by the Porsche Carreras that Irish privateers knocked together in their sheds whilst local hero Billy Coleman was in the exotic Chequered Flag Stratos.
Once Brookes had got himself sorted out he blew the opposition away, whilst second was Jimmy McRae, who had led for two days. This was not to be the last time these two disputed the top placing. Mikkola disappeared into a field whilst Alen took a podium on a surface the 131 liked, despite at one point getting stuck behind an Irish farmer using a supposedly closed road at night with no lights. Only in Ireland!
The series stayed on tarmac for the opening day of the Welsh, before leaving the Epynt ranges and returning to the forests.
Mikkola dominated whilst Alen looked set to go one better than in Ireland. But our man Clark, fortified no doubt by a few pre-rally pints, showed that he's a fast on day four as day one and overhauled the Finn.
The series stayed on the Celtic fringe for hot and dusty Scottish Rally. It was once again Mikkola in front, but this time it was a young Malcolm Wilson second for most of the event. Unfortunately the now Ford rally boss was a less laid back character then than he is now and he stuffed his Escort into the scenery. Second eventually went to Airikkala's Chevette ahead of Clark's Escort, who'd been off the road and who had fought his way back from sixth. Brookes had got himself stuck in a ditch and only finsihed because Andy Dawson stopped to tow him out.
1978 saw the first and last entry into the series for the other Scottish rally, the Argyll based Burmah International - which was anything but dry and dusty. The likable German Walter Rohrl was driving the Fiat this time, whilst Mikkola debutted the famous Eaton Yale sponsored Escort.
But before the event disappeared into oblivion it earned itself immortality as the only international rally to end in tie. Mikkola appeared to have given best to Brookes and started the last stage thirteen seconds behind the Englishman. But then the Andrews Heat For Hire car hit problems too and the event ended up being halved. Tie breaker rules gave the event to Mikkola for having been faster on the first stage. As modern rallies are timed to a hundredth of a second this record should stand forever.
Next it was back into a boat for the Manx International. Closed public roads and pace notes made this the fastest rally of the year, despite the rain, and with the archetypal seventies moustached man Tony Pond at the wheel, Leyland were finally able to unleash the full power of their V8 TR7. Mikkola managed to keep in front of the red beast until he punctured and crashed, but Pond eventually won by a country mile with part time rallycross man John Taylor second, an Irish Porsche third and Roger Albert Clark fourth. Brookes was excluded for illegal servicing.
All of which meant that Clark entered the last round ahead on points despite not having won a single round.
This was to be a perennial problem for the Open. With no 'best of' rule until 1983, consistency often beat pace.
The last round was our own World Rally, the RAC. With Ford officially on strike both Mikkola and Clark would be in private Escorts. This was enough though and Escorts swept the board, despite a valiant fight by Alen in a black and red Stratos.
Mikkola's Eaton Yale Escort comfortably beat Bjorn Waldegard's similar car. Clark's bid for title ended when he approached a gate with a box full of neutrals and flipped his Escort onto its roof.
It was sad to see the old master exit in such an undignified manner, but few could argue that Mikkola, with four wins to his name, was not the worthy winner of the first British Open.
So it was first blood to the Finns. Could the Brits raise their game and get the title back?

1978 RAC

This is the winning RAC Rally car from 1978 – the RAC was a qualifying event for the BRC in 1978. This is a Trofeu model.


1979
One of my personal favourite drivers, Pentti Airikkala won his only BRC in 1979 – whilst he had more limited success in the WRC, only winning 1 event, the variety of cars he drove other the years highlights his all round skills.
Battle commenced on the 1979 British Open Rally Championship before the first car had even rolled off the chilly starting ramp in Yorkshire.
The 1978 season had been a success, and as a result ever event larger than a single venue wanted to be part of the action. The manufacturers on the other, who had other series to contend with as well, wanted just a handful of quality events. The compromise ended up as a seven event series, with the Ulster rally in and the Burmah out.
With hindsight it's perhaps hard to see what all the fuss was about - a handful of rallies, mostly in the cold and wet, with small entries and barely a car that could top 300bhp.
But for those of us who remember those days this was the real thing. Rallies that began in the early hours and continued into the night, the crews servicing in laybys, farmers fields or anywhere they could find. In Ulster they somehow crammed 250 stage miles into 24 hours.
Then there were the cars. Hairy chested Escorts and Chevettes, burbling TR7 V8s, the odd exotic Porsche or Saab. Tail out, even on tarmac, and most smelling vaguely of Castrol GTX.
Then there were the drivers. The year would see three future World Champions battling it out on our stages and whilst the home grown talent may not be as famous, they were more than able to hold their own.
The action started with the De Lacy Motor Club's bash around the Yorkshire forests, then going under the name of the Mintex International. What had changed though was the weather.
Snow was the order of the day and the De Lacy's had their work cut out to keep the show on the road. Stig Blomqvist had arrived in the whispering Saab 99 Turbo, fresh from giving the car a maiden victory in the Swedish Rally, although he was forced to leave his studs behind.
The front wheel drive probably helped, the turbo though probably didn't, but ultimately it was Swedish snow experience that gave him victory. How else could you explain a TR7 V8 coming second, other than that it was driven by Blomqvist's former Saab teammate Per Eklund?
The series then crossed what James Joyce used to call "the snot green" sea for the Circuit of Ireland. This time it wasn't an excess of snow that the competitors had to cope with, but a lack of petrol.
The Middle East was in turmoil thanks to Iranian Revolution, and the jungle juice was getting hard to find on the Emerald Isle. With a top flight TR7 doing about 4 mpg at full throttle this was a serious problem. The competitors were often diverted to remote spots in the middle of the night in the hope of finding supplies, and many crews dropped out when they didn't materialise.
One team that didn't have a problem though was Vauxhall. Dealer Team Vauxhall appeared to have finally got the Chevette HS to really fly, at least on tarmac, and Airikkala raced to an easy win, ably supported by McRae until mechanical failure put him out.
Russell Brookes entered one the tarmac special Escorts developed to win the Monte Carlo but crashed it. Eklunds Triumph also expired and so the runner up was Irishman Billy Coleman, who for once was in a conventional car, an Escort.
So far though the reigning champion had not made an appearance. For the Welsh though, Mikkola was back, and in the blue Eaton Yale Escort he swept through the rain to a clear victory.
Three rallies, three different winners, and despite only managing eighth in Wales, Blomqvist led the series.
For the Scottish there were two Eaton Yale Escorts, with Bjorn Waldegarde joining Mikkola. The two were taking a break from their battle to be the first every World Rally Champion, and they soon set the pace, with the Finn heading the Swede.
Both were to leave the road though, which gave the lead to a young Finn called Henri Toivonen in an Escort. Electric problems eventually slowed him down, but we'd be seeing a lot mor eof him in years to come.
This gave the lead to an Englishman; Tony Pond in the new Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. Essentially an old Chrysler Avenger with a hatchback, the addition of a Lotus engineered 2.4 litre four pot turned it into a hot hatch. It was not a happy team, and the Sunbeam expired before the end, but clearly the car had potential.
The beneficiary of all this carnage was Airikkala who took the win and the series lead.
Pond managed to lead again on the Manx, only for the gremlins to again get the car. Mikkola also expired - on the very first stage, and Airikkala was out too.
This left the event as a duel between Russell Brookes and Jimmy McRae, the first of many to come over the next decade. This time though the Englishman's Escort proved to have the legs on the Scot's Chevette.
The Ulster Rally was a high speed blast around the top of Ireland. Mikkola was unable to make it to the event and the result was a Vauxhall one-two. Brookes was again in a shorter, wider tarmac Escort and again found that, whilst it was untouchable on the smooth, flowing tarmac of France, on narrow and bumpy Irish roads it kept trying to tip him into a hedge and eventually succeeded.
Blomqvist peddled the heavy Saab really hard to make third, but only an extremely unlikely Saab win on the RAC could now prevent Airikkala lifting the trophy.
Mikkola once again showed he was the master of British gravel, with Brookes coming a creditable second. Blomqvist staggered round the stages until he eventually hit one tree too many whilst Airikkala nursed a car that looked on the verge of retirement from stage one through to seventh.
The Swede's exit gave him the championship and with three wins to his name he deserved it. So once again the Brits had been beaten by a Finn had won again, but this time one who lived in Berkshire and to be honest, the fans didn't mind at all.
Could the home team do any better next year?

1979 Circuit of Ireland
Photo D.Smyth

This is a PJ Rallymodels model of his 1979 COI winning car.

The 90’s
The "nineties" brought with it new and younger drivers many of them British, and midway through the decade a major change of direction so far as the cars were concerned. The message however was clear from the start of the season.  The opening round was the Cartel, and as we saw the previous year, it should be won by a 4 wheel drive car, and an experienced driver. Except it wasn't. The winner of the opening round was Colin McRae, son of the man who already still holds a record of five titles.  At the age of 21, Colin’s victory on the gravel Cartel Rally in Yorkshire was his first international win, gained at the wheel of a rear-drive Ford Sierra Cosworth, taking advantage of a turocharger failure on the final stage for Llewellin. Irrespective of the unfortune befalling Llewellin, Colin was 3 mins quicker over the event that the very experienced Malcolm Wilson notionally in an identical but newer car, and would have surely caused a number of experienced rally followers to sit up and take notice. Colin became the closest challenger to Llewellin through the year which was not straightforward as he had to fund his programme privately, but that problem was to end the following year with the arrival in the BRC of Subaru. But we are getting ahead of ourselves, so on to round 2, the Circuit of Ireland. Llewellin did a fantastic job and won the event with a handsome margin over the 2nd placed BRC entrant, Malcolm Wilson, with Colin 3rd. The Welsh was up next, and Llewellin won again, with Wilson 2nd and Evans 3rd. McRae failed to finish after rolling his car, a sign of things to come perhaps...... Round 4 was the Scottish and Llewellin won again, McRae taking 2nd and Russell Brookes in the Ford Sierra XR4x4 taking 3rd. A hop over the pond to the Ulster next, and yep, you've guessed it, another win for Llewellin and in taking 4 straight wins after his 2nd place in the opening round, Llewellin scored his second BRC title before the end of July. BMW M3 E30's of Bertie Fisher and Graham Middleton filled the rest of the podium. Having won the title, Llewellin sat out the next 2 rounds, but for the record the results of the dead rubbers were a victory for Brookes on the Manx in his new Sierra Cosworth 4x4, with Fisher and McRae in 2nd and 3rd, and a Brookes, McRae, Middleton (all now in Sierra Cosworth 4x4's) 1, 2, 3 in round 7, the season ending Audi Sport Rally.

1990 Circuit of Ireland

The 1990 Circuit of Ireland winning car is an Altaya base with a combination of bought and homemade decals.


1991
The Legacy 4WD Turbo had been introduced into world championship rallying in 1990 and for 1991 Rothmans supported an entry in the BRC for the Prodrive team with Colin McRae as the driver.  Colin’s closet rival was Russell Brookes, now a veteran of 46 years of age at the wheel of Ford’s new Sierra Cosworth 4×4, and for who this would be his final full season. In 1991 there was a growing interest elsewhere in the BRC when Ford offered up to ten Group N Sierra Cosworth 4×4 cars to selected young drivers. The message of the McRae clan was becoming clear.  Three members of the family finished in the top ten on the Scottish Rally in 1991!   Another important driver entered the BRC scene in 1991, Richard Burns won his class on the Scottish and ended the season winning the one-make Peugeot GTI rally challenge. The 1991 season saw Colin Steele McRae, MBE (5 August 1968 – 15 September 2007) earn McRae his nickname of ‘McCrash’ as he frequently redesigned the car on events. No matter how many times he put his car off the road he could drag it out of the ditches or trees and still go on to win the rally anyway - he won, the Talkland, COI, Scottish and Manx events in 1991, with Brookes winning the Welsh in his RED prepared Sierra Cosworth 4X4 after McRae crashed out, and Bertie Fisher winning the Ulster in his Toughmac sponsored Sierra Cosworth 4x4 after McRae retired. Towards the end of 1991 another new car arrived when David Llewellin entered in a Nissan Pulsar/Sunny GTI-R and led the Audi Sport Rally from start to finish only to be dropped from the team immediately afterwards! (McRae finished 3rd in the final event of the season behind Llewellin and Brookes).
1991 Manx

The 1991 Manx model is from IXO


1992
Ford again offered up to ten Group N Sierra Cosworth 4×4 cars to selected young drivers with help from Shell which led to Colin’s younger brother Alister winning the championship’s Group N title. The 1992 season saw Colin win every stage bar two on every rally in the British championship in his Rothmans backed Legacy securing his second British Championship title (Vauxhall Sport, Pirelli, Scottish, Ulster, Manx and Elonex), with Trevor Smith, Alistair McRae and Louise Aitken-Walker distant 2nd, 3rd and 4th overall in the championship in the Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4's.
1992 Scottish

The 1992 Scottish Rally car was produced using a Vanguards base plus assistance from a member of the Diecastrallymodels.com forum.


1993
For 1993 Colin McRae was promoted into the WRC with a selected programme of events in the Legacy, waiting for the moment the new Impreza model became available. The BRC was restyled into a five round series, one round in each nation and the second, end-of-season round in Wales being dropped. The two all-asphalt events (Ulster and Manx) would carry the benefit of  extra points. Prodrive ran a two-car Subaru team with Richard Alexander Burns (17 January 1971 – 25 November 2005) and Alister McRae, Alister having a frustrating season but Burns had his first major success when he won the opening BRC round, the Vauxhall Rally of Wales.  He backed up the opening round wins with victories in round 2, the Pirelli, and round 3, the Perth Scottish. Malcolm Wilson won round 4, the Ulster, in his Escort RS Cosworth with Burns scoring no points after exiting the event through an accident. Burns bounched back and took the championship though by winning the bonus points final round in the Isle of Man, with Wilson this time suffering the heartbreak of exit through an accident. Burns ended the season, at the age of 22, the youngest ever BRC champion.  This came one month after Colin had scored his first world championship rally win, in New Zealand, the first WRC win also for Subaru.  Burns went on to greater success with runner up positions in the WRC in 1999 and 2000 before winning the WRC championsip in 2001. Burns was very sadly lost to the rallying community in 2005 after a battle against a brain tumour. RIP.

1993 Manx Rally

This model by StartUp Models is of his 1993 Manx Rally winning car and Richard also won 3 of the other 4 1993 events - Welsh, Pirelli and Scottish).


1994
1994 was to be a memorable season, the final time that the BRC was open to full Group A cars, a season with excellent free-to view television coverage and also the first real success for Malcolm Wilson’s Michein sponsored team of Ford Escort RS Cosworths.

Hot in the footsteps of the recent McRae family dominations came another family.  The 1994 Junior champion was Mark Higgins in a Honda Civic Vti while his brother David drove a Peugeot importers 106XSi.  From now on the BRC was also going to cater for what was commonly called “Formula 2” cars.

Malcolm Irving Wilson, OBE (born 17 February 1956) won two British national titles in the late 1970s and achieved a long-held ambition by winning the British Rally Championship in 1994. Wilson's season started poorly with a fuel pump failure on the opening round (the Vauxhall Rally of Wales), victory on that round going to Wilson’s teammate Stephen Finlay. But Wison showed his class in the next 3 rounds (Pirelli, Perth Scottish and Ulster) by taking victory ahead of Finlay and also won the season ending Manx rally ahead of Kenny McKinstry's Legacy with Finlay down in 6th. So Wilson was crowned overall champion in 1994, and the winner of the Formula 2 ("F2") category was David Llewellin, now driving a Vauxhall Astra Gsi for their importers team.

Wilson's driving career included over 20 years experience of rallying at world championship level, much of it with Ford. He drove for three factory teams in the world championship, including MG, in whose Group B Metro 6R4, he shared driving duties with fellow Briton, Tony Pond. He spent several years as Ford's chief test driver, developing new rally cars, including the short lived RS1700T and RS200 models. Wilson is current owner of team and constructor M-Sport which has had phenomenol WRC level success, including multiple constructor championships and a drivers championship, when you consider it is essentially a privateer outfit, without the budget of the full factory teams.

1994 Manx Rally

This is the IXO model of his 1994 Manx Rally winning Escort Cosworth - Malcolm also won he Pirelli, Scottish and Ulster, leaving only the Welsh to be won by someone else)


1995
A new twenty year era for the BRC started in 1995 with the Vauxhall Rally of Wales.  Although four-wheel-drive, turbocharged cars were allowed to compete on the events, albeit without scoring points, the championship was now solely for the F2 cars. Despite the way that the championship cars were secondary competitors on events, the new formula attracted importer interest from seven manufacturers, more than the world championship, and continental drivers were participating in the series again.B elgian driver Gregoire de Mevius had moved from Mazda to drive as teammate for Alister McRae, Alain Oreille for Renault, both former FIA champions. The overall winner of the opening round was the Nissan Sunny GTi of Alister McRae.  Significantly however the remaining four events were won by bigger cars not eligible for the championship, including Ari Vatanen who made a guest appearance in round 2 on the Pirelli Rally in an Escort RS Cosworth. Round 2 (Pirelli) F2 honours went to Gregoire de Mevius in a Sunny GTi with McRae just behind him. Jarmo Kytolehto took F2 honours in round 3 (Scottish) in his Astra GSI 16v, de Mevius 2nd and with Alain Orielle's Clio Williams in 3rd place. McRae was out this time with an electrical issue. Alister bounced back in round 4 (the extra points Ulster round) with Gwyndaf Evans 2nd in his Escort RS2000 MkV and Orielle 3rd. 2nd place for McRae in the season ending Manx rally behind Evans was enough for McRae to become the inaugural title holder under the new rules, with Evans 2nd overall, de Mevius 3rd and Orielle 4th. Alister became the 3rd member of the Mcrae family to win the BRC.

1995 Ulster Rally

This is a Realcarmodels model of the Nissan Sunny Gti which Alistair drove to championship (although not outright) victory in the 1995 Ulster rally.


1996
Ford meanwhile, had been developing their Mark V Escort RS2000 car particularly for Gwyndaf Evans who ended up winning the title, Volkswagen’s latest Golf arrived and Skoda came to the championship as well with their Felicia for 1996. The BRC further encouraged the participation of one make championships within their championship, for Peugeot and Subaru cars.  I can’t write a better summary of the 1996 BRC season than can be found on this web site: www.rs2000kitcar.com/Rally/1996.html
After the disappointment of 1995 where the car had run well but had missed out on the title, finishing 2nd in their first full season, the Ford team must have had high hopes for the new season. Indeed, a new assault was to be launched on the British championship. Again, Gwyndaf Evans and Howard Davies were to lead the charge, now in the face lifted Escort. Their new team mate was the Finn, Jarmo Kytolehto, who had previously driven a Vauxhall Astra. There was also Neil Simpson, driving Evans’ 1995 car, and Stephanie Simmonite driving an Escort prepared by Chris Birkbeck, now looking for her second Ladies Cup title.
There were plenty of fresh challenges from the opposition too. Mark Higgins had now moved up to a Group A Nissan Sunny. There was also another Finnish ace, Tapio Laukkanen, in a Volkswagen Golf. Renault were still present in the series, but were now using the Megane Maxi, with Robbie Head and French tarmac specialist, Serge Jordan at the wheel. The Megane was the first of the new generation of F2 kit cars to be used in Britain and, although not eligible for points in 1996, was to show the future of Formula 2 rallying.
Vauxhall Rally of Wales
Wales was the first opportunity to see what the new season had to offer. The Welsh weather also threw up another challenge, in the form of thick fog. Local boy, Gwyndaf Evans, settled in quickly, going well in the early stages. The second stage actually saw him set fastest overall time, quicker than that of Alister McRae and Arri Mokkonen in their non-championship Group A Escort RS Cosworths. Evans was flying; “The conditions have been really difficult, the fog has been really nasty...I hate it!”
Kytolehto had not been so lucky however. After an off on only the second stage, this was followed by a roll on the third, which saw him lose over four minutes, and plummet down the order. Neil Simpson was also struggling, and retired early on with a broken driveshaft. The championship rivals were also going well; Laukkanen was keeping in touch, and Higgins was quickly adapting to his new Nissan. Things weren’t going so well for Renault, with Head retiring after head gasket failure.
The final two stages of day one were held on the promenade at New Brighton. Evans went into these stages with the F2 lead, again bettering McRae and Mokkonen on the first loop. By the end of day one, Evans was still the leading F2 runner, with Higgins and Laukkanen in hot pursuit.
Day two saw the fog lifting slightly, but with rain to replace it. Evans started as he’d begun, pushing hard to retain his Formula 2 lead. Mark Higgins was also getting more comfortable in the Sunny, but dropped to third briefly, behind Tapio Laukkanen. Sadly for the Finnish driver though, his engine failed, and he fell out of the race.
Jarmo Kytolehto was also pushing, trying to make up for the drama of day one. He’d put in an excellent performance and managed to recover to sixth overall, third of the F2 runners. However, he couldn’t match the stunning performance of Gwyndaf Evans; fastest on every stage of the second day, he won the F2 section by four seconds over Mark Higgins, with Kytolehto in third.
Speaking at the finish, Evans said “It’s been a tough rally and very difficult conditions. It’s gone perfectly, Gordon Spooner Engineering have put a fine car together here.”
This early victory put Evans into early control of the championship, with Ford the top of the constructor’s leader board early on. It had been a great start to the season.
Pirelli International Rally
The Pirelli International Rally offered another challenge to the drivers; pace notes were banned, with the crews having to navigate solely off maps, meaning a careful balance of speed and commitment, as well as care, and trust in their co-drivers.
Steve Wedgebury flipped his Skoda on a bridge, blocking the stage, but Jarmo Kytolehto started much better however. Despite not having second gear, he held a 13 second lead over Evans after the first four stages. Sadly, it didn’t last. On the very next stage, the normally reliable Xtrac gearbox failed altogether, leaving Evans to take over the Formula 2 lead, and Nissan’s Mark Higgins to move up to second place. Neil Simpson was having better luck than in Wales, running well.
By the end of Leg One, the drama for Renault continued, with both the Meganes out; Head in Special Stage 1, Jordan following later in the day. Jouko Puhakka’s Golf was laying third in F2, with Higgins second, and Evans comfortably in the F2 lead, with only the two Escort Cosworths of Arri Mokonen and Alister McRae ahead of them.
The beginning of day two saw the longest stage of the event; Pundershaw. Evans was still going well, but Higgins wasn’t so lucky. A huge roll meant air lifting to hospital and a fractured vertebra. Simpson said he’d had a steady run through Pundershaw, but was ready to push on and challenge those in front of him.
For Evans though, it was another great drive. Mokkonen’s retirement meant second overall and another storming F2 victory for the Welshman; excitedly saying “Delighted for the team, Ford, and Howard and everyone else. Very Happy!”
Victory in Cumbria meant Evans stretched his title lead to 22 points over Puhakka. Ford now had a 12 point lead over Nissan in the constructor’s title battle, with VW only a single point behind them.
Perth Scottish Rally
Round three, a trip north of the border to Perthshire for The Scottish Rally, and another raft of points up for grabs. Conditions were very wet, and this seemed to suit the Finnish contenders. Jarmo Kytolehto shot into an early lead in his Escort, with Tapio Laukkanen in the Golf chasing hard. Evans had a steady start compared to previous events, but was still in contention, and looking to consolidate his championship lead. Neil Simpson was struggling again with gearbox troubles, this time stuck in third gear. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Evans either; the car was struggling to start and not cranking correctly, meaning frantic work in service halts to try and track down the problem.
Going into the final stages of the day at the Knockhill circuit, it was all to play for. Sadly for Laukkanen, he’d had two gearbox failures, so was forced into retirement. This left Kytolehto in the F2 lead at the end of day one, with Evans in second, and Higgins in third.
Leg Two saw a battle for the top spot that ran to the wire. Stephanie Simmonite was running well, but giving best to Louise Aitken-Walker, previous ladies champion, out of retirement for this one event. Evans was still having a few issues, and required a gearbox change late in the rally. Time was an issue, but the GSE crew managed to change it within the allotted service time, without incurring any road penalties. The Welshman was pushing hard, taking chunks of time out of Kytolehto, but was unable to make up the ground totally, giving the Finn his first F2 win of the year. Evans had to settle for second place, gaining more points, pulling further ahead of Puhakka in the championship table. This also left Ford with a comfortable lead in the constructors chase.
The Stena Line Ulster Rally
The Ulster Rally made up round four of the season, and another trip to Northern Ireland for the first tarmac round of the year. The stakes were high here for Ford. A good result could win them the British Championship, so a strong performance was essential. They were given a dream start too. Their main rival, Mark Higgins retired on the first stage of the event with a blown engine. Bad news for Higgins, but great news for Ford and Gwyndaf Evans; he only had to finish the event to take the title! Alister McRae also made a return to the championship, in a VW Golf. It was to be short-lived for both McRae and Laukkanen however, with both Golfs suffering gearbox failure and early retirement.
The tarmac did finally give Renault a chance to prove the performance of the Megane, with Robbie Head leading the FWD cars and 1995 Renault driver, Alain Oreille, making a guest appearance in the second Renault and running well. Evans didn’t let the gift of Higgins retirement slow him down however. He took an early lead of the championship runners, but behind both the Meganes. Kytolehto had to give up his seat to another Finn, Harri Rovanpera, who was going well in the other Escort. Kenny McKinstry was also out in his own RS2000, running well in F2, indeed, by the end of Leg One, the top three F2 cars were all Fords, with Evans leading the championship fight over McKinstry and Rovanpera respectively.
Day two saw the Renaults continue their charge, but Oreille wasn’t to make it to the end of the event, after a big off into one of the Ulster hedgerows. Neil Simpson in Evans’ old Escort was pushing, but struggling with clutch and brake issues throughout the day. Once again, the Simmonite sisters were leading the ladies contest, and eventually finished 12th overall and fifth of the British championship contenders. Robbie Head was the star of the front wheel driver runners, second only to the Subaru of Irish legend, Bertie Fisher. He was showing the future of Formula 2 rallying, and just how dominant the kit cars could be in the right hands.
However, it was Evans that was to take the glory. Another shining performance meant his third F2 win of the year, maximum points, and the British Rally Championship crown outright. When interviewed at the end of the final stage, Evans said “A credit to the whole Gordon Spooner Engineering team, Michelin tyres, Response, Ford, and everybody that worked so hard during the season to achieve this result...Absolutely great.”
Of the Formula 2 runners, Head had run away with it, but was not eligible for championship contention. Evans had dominated the points-scoring runners, backed up by Kenny McKinstry in second, Neil Simpson in third and Stephanie Simmonite fifth of the British Championship runners. Fords had dominated the Ulster Rally and Evans had taken the ultimate prize; recognition at last of the potential of the RS2000.
Once the dust had settled, Evans had an unassailable 49 point lead over second-place Justin Dale, with Neil Simpson fourth, and Stephanie Simmonite sixth.
Manx International Rally
As always, the British championship enjoyed its final round in the stunning scenery of the Isle of Man. The Manx is always dramatic, and 1996 was to be no different. As Gwyndaf Evans had already clinched the British title, it was to be something of a different event for him and co-driver, Howard Davies. The Escort they were using was a very different machine compared to the one they’d used in Ulster. The decision had been made, with both championships sealed, to sacrifice points and use the rally as an extended testing exercise. The car was hugely modified from Ulster spec, with clearly wider front wings, and a howling engine under the bonnet. The regular Group A unit had been replaced with a development kit car engine, giving the Escort a huge power increase. When asked what he was expecting of the rally, Evans replied “Just come here to enjoy ourselves really and obviously learn a bit on the car for next year.”
The development car was clearly working well, with Evans running third overall, behind Bertie Fisher and Armin Schwartz, both in Group A, four wheel drive, cars. The Escort was even beating the Renault Megane Maxi of Serge Jordan in the early stages, showing the Escort was definitely going in the right direction for 1997. Rovanpera was back in the second RS2000, running in third place the F2, but sadly crashed out on stage six. By the end of day one, Jordan had pushed ahead of Evans, with Mark Higgins the leading F2 runner, and Neil Simpson chasing hard.
Day two saw Jordan out early with transmission trouble, leaving Evans to take back the front wheel drive lead. Simpson was still pushing hard, trying to catch Mark Higgins’ Nissan, and with good reason; “I’d love to be second in the British Championship and give Ford a one-two, that would be excellent, but Mark’s really flying here; it’s his home territory so I’m struggling to catch him.”
Evans too was pushing. With Fisher forced out with mechanical problems, it was a straight fight between Evans’ Escort and Schwartz’ WRC Celica. On the fourth stage, Evans actually equalled the time set by the Toyota. When talking in service, Evans said “We are learning with the car, it’s a development. It’s an interim stage of the car for next year” going on to say excitedly; “We’ll hopefully have a bit more power again next year, so look out is it!”
A worrying prospect for Ford’s competitors indeed, as on Special Stage 14, Evans beat Schwartz to set the fastest overall time; an impressive effort for a front wheel drive F2 car! However, the fun soon ended. As they reached the stage end, the car sounded very unhealthy = the development engine had given up the fight. Gwyndaf Evans: “It was a good development trip and we’ve learnt. So we’ll go back and try and put things right.” Even Howard Davies could feel it from the passenger seat, noting “There was a lot more power in the car.”
Simpson had still been trying hard to catch local-boy Mark Higgins; a little too hard in places, going off into a river, and having to follow co-driver, Steve Martin, through the water to find a way out! Simpson’s Escort had been upgraded with the previous engine from Evan’s car and was showing good pace, but sadly the engine didn’t last, and Simpson was forced to retire, leaving Stephanie Simmonite as the only factory RS2000, sitting just outside the top ten.
The final day saw Armin Schwartz go on to take the rally win, with F2 being dominated by Manx drivers, Mark Higgins and Martin Rowe.
1996 saw the championship finish with Gwyndaf Evans a comfortable first, Stephanie Simmonite in fourth, and Neil Simpson sixth. Ford also took the manufacturer crown by six points, meaning 1996 would be the most successful year for the RS2000.
Network Q RAC Rally
After two consecutive RAC F2 victories and the British title, Gwyndaf Evans must have been confident for the 1996 RAC Rally. It was certainly going to be a difficult event, with snow and ice to challenge the drivers. Sadly it wasn’t to be three out of three for the British Rally Champion. Going into the Chatsworth House stage, the roads were extremely slippery, and the front wheel drive Formula 2 cars were struggling to get traction. Evans was to find out just how difficult the conditions were, to his cost. He slid wide on a right hander and clipped a huge tree stump hard, flipping the Escort, with a heavy landing on the roof. They managed to get out of the stage, but the roll cage was badly damaged, and the champions were out. They weren’t the only crew to fall victim to the conditions, and Robbie Head was to clip the very same tree stump and roll his Megane heavily. Evans was left to look forward to the 1997 British Championship and the new Escort kit car.

1996 Ulster Rally

To build this car I had to take a mk5 escort kit, take a resin cast, reshape in to mk6 form, cannibalise an interior and wheels from a mk6 Escort Cosworth and produce my own decals. I am glad this one is finished…….


1997
The BRC these days was undoubtedly the premier national series in the world but still British drivers were supreme in 1997. The first of Manx rally legend, Mark Higgins 3 BRC wins.
The following is again taken from the excellent RS2000kitcar.com web site.
Gwyndaf Evans had dominated the championship the previous year, but 1997 brought many new challenges. The new generation of kit cars had arrived and the new Escort Super Rally Car was here; with wider wheel arches and a more powerful engine. The formidable challenge from Renault would continue; with Robbie Head and Manxman, Martin Rowe, joining the line up. Tapio Laukkanen remained with VW, now joined by 1995 champion, Alister McRae. Mark Higgins was still with Nissan, and the veteran, Stig Blomqvist, joined the Skoda team in the new Felicia kit car. With so many big names in the championship, it was going to be a big year.
Vauxhall Rally of Wales
The start of the season saw a return to the Welsh forests, and everyone was expecting a big battle between the top drivers. Evans said before the start “There’s no such thing as being tactical, it will just mean being flat out from the word go.”
He was right too; after the first three stages, it was closer than ever. Evans was in a dead heat for first place with Mark Higgins, it was that tight at the top! 1995 champion, Alister McRae was sitting in third place, but was suffering mechanical troubles, with an overheating engine. The tricky Welsh roads were to bite Evans, though. On stage four, Penmachno, a right front puncture saw him limp out of the stage with the front wing hanging off the car. Then, the second run through Penmachno saw Evans clip a rock with a rear wheel, wrecking the rear beam. Time was lost, with Howard Davies even having to bodge the rear brakes back together to get the car to the service area, where the GSE crew could get to work and fix the damage. With the car repaired, the Welsh pair could get back to the race and were still in third by the end of the day, albeit some way behind the new leader, Alister McRae.
Leg 2 saw Evans and Davies on the pace, but unable to make up the time they had lost the previous day. Elsewhere, Swede Andreas Eriksson was going well, starting the day in 10th place in his Escort. Unfortunately for the other runners at the front, McRae’s overheating issues had been left behind, and he was battling with Higgins for the rally lead until stage 13, which saw Higgins go off and drop down the order. Evans, who had been happy to hold station and take some championship points, had now been promoted to second place, better than they had expected, and where they would stay. McRae was well and truly in control, and would prove impossible to beat in Wales. Eriksson went on to finish seventh, a good result for the Swede, with Philip Young just outside the top ten in 11th place.
Pirelli International Rally
April meant the second round of the championship; the fearsome Pirelli International Rally of Cumbria. Taking on a new format for 1997, the event was to be split over the two days, with points available for both, as well as the overall honour of an outright win. The event started well for Evans again, running in third place after the first three stages, however he was forced down to fourth after stage four, behind the flying Robbie Head in his Megane Maxi. McRae was going well again, but a spin in the Falstone stage saw him drop some ten minutes and plummet down the leader board. Evans lost some time, almost collecting McRae’s front bumper whilst passing the stricken Golf, which Mark Higgins was all too happy to capitalise on, storming into the lead, leaving Evans in second after Head had dropped a little time, now in third position. Higgins held the rally lead, but a slight off lost him time, and by the end of the day, the pair had scored another dead heat, proving just how close the competition was. Evans took maximum points for day one, after setting fastest time on stage one, keeping him in touch of the title battle.
The second day started with fog, with McRae keen to score maximum points to make up for his off on Leg 1. As well as fog, the first stage saw the drivers face the longest stage of the event; Pundershaw. Evans proved the new Escort kit car had the goods, beating McRae to the fastest time; a lead he would keep for most of the day. Irishman Philip Young wasn’t so lucky however; a roll saw him lose a minute and drop down to 14th place. Stephanie Simmonite was having another good run in her Escort, taking her second Ladies Cup win of the year, and 18th overall, eighth of the F2 runners. Julian Reynolds was also running well in his new Escort, finishing fourth in Formula 2, giving Ford another good result for the Escort. With one stage to go, Evans was left with a 14 second lead over his rivals, and in prime position to take another good haul of points, as well as the first win for the new Escort kit car. McRae was on the pace, keen to overhaul Evans, meaning the battle would go right to the line. It certainly did that, but not quite as the lead crews had hoped! The final stage was filled with drama. McRae was pushing to the limit, hoping to catch Evans, but a heavy spin meant he was off the road and out of the event. Rovanpera also rolled out in the Ibiza Kit Car on the same stage. All looked good for Evans, until he slid slightly wide going through a fast, sweeping section, slipping into a ditch and rolling the Escort heavily. The car ended up on its roof, and Evans race was over. The dramatic end to the event saw Robbie Head take a surprise win, with Laukkanen second and Blomqvist third in the 1.6 litre Skoda, leaving the championship wide open!
RSAC Scottish Rally
The third round again marked the last outing in the forests, and the mid-point of the season. After the disappointment of the Pirelli, many of the top drivers had points to prove, and work to do to keep their title hopes alive. Evans had scored good points on day one of the Pirelli, but his day two exit had cost him dearly, leaving him second in the championship to Alister McRae by a point. A win on day two would have given him a comfortable lead, so there was a lot to play for in Scotland.
The Scottish roads seemed to suit the Golf however, with McRae and Laukkanen setting the early pace. Evans could only manage fourth spot, behind Mark Higgins, after the first stage, but the second stage saw him fastest overall, passing Higgins. Laukkanen and McRae were flying however, and Evans would be unable to catch them on day one, having to settle for third spot at the end of the first leg. It was all to play for on Leg 2 though, with only 12 seconds covering the top three runners.
Day two started in much the same way as the first, with the two Golfs trading times. Higgins suffered a puncture in the Nissan, meaning he dropped time to Evans’ Ford, giving the Welshman room to breathe and concentrate on trying to catch the two leaders. With only one stage remaining, there was now only nine seconds covering the top three, with just 19 miles left. When asked what his approach would be to that final stretch, Evans replied “What do you think? Maximum!”
Laukkanen was confident, boasting that the rally was his, but McRae wasn’t to be beaten in his home territory. He beat Laukkanen by some eight seconds, taking the victory, and consolidating his championship lead. Evans remained third, completing the final stage five seconds slower than Laukkanen. It was another good result for the Escort and for Ford, but they were no match for the VW duo on this occasion. With the forest rounds completed, McRae led the title race, with Evans second, eight points behind. Robbie Head was in third place, only three points behind Evans. The constructors race was equally close, with VW leading, Ford second, and Renault in third place. However, with the championship now moving onto Tarmac, would this favour the more powerful kit cars, and leave VW and Nissan struggling? Would the well-proven Megane sweep to victory? It was all to play for!
The Stena Line Ulster Rally
Ulster saw big changes for the Ford team, with another new car making its first British Rally Championship outing. Gwyndaf Evans would be piloting the new car, and was obviously excited for its first run; “We’re running the brand new Escort Kit Car, which looks absolutely stunning. I just hope it will go as well as it looks.”
The new car was certainly stunning to look at, with even wider wheel arches than the earlier kit car, giving it huge presence, much more like that of the Renault Maxi Megane. Indeed, the Escort was soon to share the Renaults “Maxi” tag. The changes weren’t just skin deep though, with the car now boasting a more powerful engine, as well as further revised suspension.
Evans was keen to show what the new car could do, and stormed into the Ulster lanes, giving best only to the Scot, Robbie Head, in the Megane. The new car was performing well but, like the Megane, wasn’t perfectly suited to some of the narrow roads of Northern Ireland. The wide track was making it difficult to navigate, with the car brushing the hedgerows at times. Evans noted after the first few stages “For the debut of the car, I think it’s showing a lot of promise. We have a bit more work to do on it, but it’s ok so far.”
By now, Head was having trouble, with an electrical fault losing him time on stage five. He had dropped down to eighth position, but was still setting fastest stage times for the remainder of the day. Mark Higgins was also going well, the Group A Nissan Sunny was well suited to the narrow roads, and he had moved in to the Formula 2 lead, over Evans; a lead which he would take into the overnight halt. McRae was in touch in third position, but the star of the show was undoubtedly Robbie Head. The Megane had been fastest on every single stage except where he’d had the electrical glitch.
Day two saw the top of the leader board remain the same. Higgins was in a comfortable lead, with Evans happy to settle for second place and take points again. The new car had performed well and clearly had potential to do very well in the future, but a good result and a strong points finish was essential to keep the championship within reach. Head managed to recover to third position, proving just how capable the Megane was on tarmac. The Simmonite sisters had another successful run, taking their fourth Ladies Cup victory of the year, and securing the title for the third year in a row. This meant, with one round to go, McRae still held the title lead, but only by two points over Evans, with Head six points further back. The final round on the Isle of Man wasn’t far off, with no less than five drivers able to win the championship, it was going to be a thrilling end to the year.
Manx International Rally
The Manx International Rally of 1997 would probably go down as one of the most eventful season climaxes ever seen. The top five drivers were all in with a chance of the title and, with two previous winners amongst them, as well as two Manx drivers in the mix. It was set to be a fantastic end to the season, but could Ford do the double and take the title for the second year running?
They certainly started well, with Evans’ Escort Maxi again battling with Robbie Head in the Renault Megane. The pair set joint fastest time on the first stage, proving how closely matched the cars were, but local boy Mark Higgins held the F2 lead after the first three stages. Suspension trouble saw him drop down to fourth however. The rally hadn’t started well for VW, with both McRae and Laukkanen suffering with handbrake and power steering problems, meaning McRae was unable to challenge for the lead in the early stages. By the end of the sixth stage, the weather had changed and it was raining hard. Evans and Head hadn’t let up however, sharing another two fastest times, and meaning a dead heat between the championship contenders. Julian Reynolds was also running well in his Group A Escort, pushing hard to break into the top ten. Towards the end of day one, Evans and Head scored another dead heat through Castletown, and a second fastest time on the final stage of the day saw Evans go into the overnight break with an 11 second lead. McRae was, by now, recovering, and had set the fastest time on the Cringle stage, showing it wasn’t over for the Scot just yet.
Leg 2 started well for Gwyndaf Evans, stretching his lead by four seconds in the now dry conditions, but it was all about to change, and there were to be big consequences for the title. Stage two saw the results turned upside down. McRae flipped his Golf at speed when the car was unsettled by the bumpy lanes, putting him out of the rally, and ending his hopes for a second British title. This should have been great news for Gwyndaf Evans, but sadly the second title was also to elude the Welshman in similar circumstances. A bumpy section unsettled the car; and a high speed spin resulted in a broken radiator and retirement. The car was undamaged otherwise, but with an overheating engine, there was nothing Evans could do, and the Escort wasn’t to get its second British title this year. With the top two championship runners out, the drama kept coming. Special Stage 17 saw Robbie Head also out of luck, as an early downshift killed his engine, leaving Mark Higgins to charge into the lead.
The final day saw the title race down to just two; Mark Higgins and Martin Rowe. Both drivers hail from the island, and both were keen to prove they had what it takes to wear the championship crown. It was a hard battle, with both drivers suffering problems. However, despite losing a wheel late on, Higgins was able to hold on and take the championship, though Rowe was to take the rally win, his first British Rally Championship victory.

1997 Ulster Rally

This is a Rosso & Fly model with home made decals to represent the Ulster Rally winning car from that year.


1998
In 1998 the championship was divided in the calendar between drivers and manufacturers and by now none of the events counted for a FIA championship, which opened up better chance of television coverage which otherwise would have been effectively forbidden. This attracted a number of foreign teams to participate. 1996 Champion Gwyndaf Evans moved from Ford to SEAT, Robbie Head was replaced at Renault by Tapio Laukkanen who had moved from Volkswagen. Head in turn joined SEAT and Vauxhall returned to the series with the Astra Kit Car with Jarmo Kytolehto at the wheel. Harri Rovanpera did not compete in The British Championship this season in order to concentrate on his WRC Commitments with SEAT

Martin Rowe won the opening event of the 1998 season (the Vauxhall Rally of Wales) outright in his Renault Megane Maxi. 2nd in F2 was Neil Wearden in his Honda Civic VTi and Gwyndaf Evans 3rd in his Seat Ibiza Kit Car Evo 2. Round 2 and Round 3 was the Pirelli. Round 2 was won by Rowe, Evans 2nd, Kytolehto 3rd. Evans won round 3, Alistair McRae in his Golf Mk III Kit Car 2nd, Laukkanen 3rd and Rowe in 4th. Rounds 4 and 5 were the Scottish. Evans won round 4, McRae 2nd, Rowe 3rd and for round 5 of a see-saw season, the finishing order was Rowe, Laukkanen, McRae, Evans. On to round 6, the Ulster, and this time the event was won outright by Evans, with Rowe 2nd and McRae 3rd. So we came to the season finale - the Manx, and realistically a title shoot out between Rowe and Evans. And much to Evans bitter disappointment, it didn't go to the wire as he failed to finish the event due to engine failure - his first DNF of the season. Rowe meanwhile took the 1998 BRC Champions title in style by winning the final event of the year, with Laukkanen 2nd and Kytolehto 3rd.

1998 Pirelli Rally Leg 1

This is a Vitesse model with homemade decals to represent the Pirelli Leg 1 winning car (Martin also won the Welsh and Manx events in 1998).


1999
By the late ‘nineties the two-litre “Formula 2” scene was becoming the most interesting area in the sport, with cars offering power outputs in the high 200bhp mark and engine maximum revs towards the five figure mark.  These cars were becoming so special that “F2” cars won two world championship rallies outright.  In Britain there was now a second-level “F2” movement, for cars with engines up to 1.6 litres producing 200bhp. As the decade came to a close it was Renault’s Megane Maxi cars which were now largely unbeatable.  Still the series kept attracting new manufacturers.  SEAT with the Ibiza kit cars sponsored the Jim Clark Rally.  It was an exciting time for the BRC!

Martin Rowe kicked off his title defense in style by winning the opening round (Vauxhall Rally of Wales) in his Megane Maxi. His team mate, and the driver who would prove to be his strongest competitor, Tapio Laukkanen was 2nd, with Mark Higgins in a Golf MkIV Kit Car 3rd. The Pirelli was Round 2, and it was a disappointing round for Rowe as he went out of the event with gearbox issues. Laukkanen backed up his early season promise by taking victory. Toni Gardemeister in his Ibiza Kit Car Evo 2 was 2nd, Higgins took back to back 3rd places. Round 3 was the Scottish and Laukkanen showed his growing strength by winning by 2 clear minutes from Rowe, with Gardemeister 3rd. Round 4 was the Jim Clark sponsored SEAT round, and they will have been a little disappointed that Laukkanen and Rowe repeated the previous round results (winning margin down to 90 seconds this time), with SEAT and Evans taking 3rd place in the Ibiza Kit Car Evo 2. Round 5 was the Ulster and it saw a commanding win for Neil Wearden in the Vauxhall Astra Kit Car. Evans was 2nd, Higgins 3rd, and unfortunately Rowe couldn't take advantage of Laukkanen's lowly 10th place finish as he was out of the event on SS2 after leaving the road. Laukkanen's lead in the championship was unassailable after 3 back to back victories earlier in the season, but he would have prefered not to have failed to finish round 6, the Manx, due to steering issues. Rowe finished the season on a high despite not being able to defend his title by winning the Manx. Raimund Baumschlager was 2nd in his Golf MkIV Kit Car and Evans 3rd. So Laukkanen was the new champion by 22 points, Evans 2nd overall and Rowe 2 points further back.

1999 Jim Clark Seat Rally

This is a Vitesse model with homemade decals to represent the Jim Clark winning car.

The 10’s
2010
One change, and more new cars were coming along in 2010. The next decade started with a success story for the Pirelli Star Driver project when Keith Cronin was rewarded with a drive in the BRC in 2010 and won the series, this time in a Subaru.  For 2010 World Rally Cars were not admitted and a decision was made that the 2012 series would be limited to two-wheel-drive cars given the increasing degree of development of these cars.  The 2010 series was sponsored by Dulux Trade, an important move as this was not a direct support from the motor industry itself.  One make support championships flourished, notably with Mitsubishi and the Fiesta ST models.  At this time the French manufacturer competition departments were active in the BRC.  Bryan Bouffier entered the Ulster Rally in 2010 with a DS3 R3 turbocharged car making its global competition debut and finished fifth BRC finisher, best two-wheel-drive.  In terms of performance and also availability these cars were magic, and would prove to be nearly unbeatable in future years. Mark Higgins was now largely plying his trade in China (he'd probably had enough of the BRC after the previous 3 seasons) and so the question was, who could challenge Cronin and would the change of car hamper him?
Round 1 was the Bulldog International Rally of Wales, and the immediate answer was that nobody was going to find it easy to challenge Cronin and he had adapted very quickly to his new Subaru Impreza STi N15 as he won round 1 comfortably (by over 2 mins) from Dave jr. Weston in his Impreza STi N16 and Adam Gould in his Impreza STi N11 Spec C. The driver some felt likely to prove a challenge to Cronin, Gwyndaf Evans, retired due to gearbox issues. Cronin retired on the next round, the Pirelli, and Gwyndaf Evans took the win in his Evo X, with Jonny Greer 2nd in his Evo IX and a young charger by the name of Craig Breen an excellent 3rd in his Ford Fiesta S2000. A growing suggestion that Cronin might not have it all his own way came by the end of Round 3, the Jim Clark. Evans won his 2nd event in a row, Alastair Fisher was 2nd in his Evo IX and Cronin could only manage 3rd. So having dealt with Higgins in the prior year, it looked like another experienced driver in Evans was going to be the one for Cronin to watch out for in 2010. Round 4 was the Manx and with no Mark Higgins to worry about, Cronin took the top step, Evans took 2nd, and Jason Pritchard 3rd in his Impreza STi N16. Across the sea again to Ulster for round 5, and Evans was again the subject of a DNF, this time due to engine issues. Craig Breen took a fabulous win, Cronin though took 2nd and Fisher 3rd. The final event was the Yorkshire and Cronin was sitting comfortably on a 16 point lead, but with 30 points for a win, Cronin needed to finish safely and near the top to secure his back to back titles. And this he duly did, finishing 3rd behind a game Evans who had fought to the last, and Fisher who took another 2nd place. The result meant Cronin was champion by 10 points from Evans.

2010 Manx

The Impreza N15 reflecting the Manx winning 2010 car was produced by Realcarmodels.


2011
The 2011 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship was the 53rd season of the British Rally Championship and the 2nd year of a 2 year deal Dulux had signed. The addition of the Rally Sunseeker International to the calendar (a much needed and appreciated event in southern half of England) was due to bring the number of events to seven however the Isle of Man event was cancelled later in the year, reducing the season to 6 events again. The season began on 26 February in Bournemouth and ended on 24 September in Yorkshire. The Evo IX R4 was again going to prove stiff competition in the BRC, however Keith Cronin was unable to rally in 2011 (finanical reasons?) and so would not be defending his crown. So we would have a new champion come the end of the year.
Round 1 was the Sunseeker and I will forever regret not getting to see a Sunseeker BRC event before the championship organisers cruely cancelled one a few years later and it has not returned since. David Bogie took the honours in the first round in his Evo IX, with Tom Cave 2nd in his evo X and Elfyn Evans (who, like many before, demonstrated the BRC can be a great feeder ground for the WRC) 3rd in his Subaru Impreza STi N15. Round 2 was the Bulldog and Evans won his home event ahead of Bogie and Adam Gould his his Impreza STi N15. It was the Pirelli next and Bogies took his 2nd win of the season, ahead of Robert Barrable and Jonny Greer in their Skoda Fabia S2000's. Evans could only manage 4th. Up to Scotland for round 4 (the Jim Clark) and Bogies took his 3rd win in 4 events to put himself in a commanding position. Jonny Greer was 2nd, Adam Gould 3rd and Evans 4th for a 2nd event in a row. Across the sea to Northern Ireland next for the Ulster, and with a host of WRC machinery and other local drivers it was perhaps not that surprising that the highest BRC finisher was down in 6th place. What was surprising for many was the fact that it was one of the new wave of R3 cars, which would play a significant role from 2012 onwards, Marty McCormack in his Citroen DS3 R3T. 2nd (8th overall) was Tommy Boyle in his Renault Clio R3 and Bogie was 9th/3rd. Greer and Evans took 4th and 5th in the BRC competitors. The final event of the season was the Yorkshire and Bogie had a commanding 14 point lead over Evans. Taking a cautious approach and finishing safely in 3rd place, 2 mins behind the event winner which was Evans, with Greer 2nd, meant that David Bogie piloted his car to his first and only BRC Championship. This is a Realcarmodels model of his Sunseeker Rally car – an event I am fond of but which is sadly no more as a result of last years MSA decision to suspend the championship for 2015.

2011 Sunseeker



2012
In an effort to reduce costs and to increase competition, the eligibility rules changed again for 2012, and small front wheel drive hatchbacks became the order of the day. You can understand the intent, as the international class systems were now fully in force and this opened up rivalry further down the results for cars complying with the R2 rules.  It also renewed interest in the BRC from manufacturers notably from France with Renault using BRC events for testing new evolution versions of their cars. But the change wasn’t to prove entirely successful.
This time it was Bogie who announced he would not be defending his BRC title, choosing instead to focus on the Scottish Rally Championship. But Cronin would be back again, and would need to change ride again to comply with the new regulations. The Sunseeker kicked off the 6 round year again, and Cronin appeared in the diminutive Renault Twingo RS R1 but retired on stage 10 with driveshaft issues. Instead, victory went to Mark Donnelly in his Renault Clio R3, 2nd was Desi Henry in his Citroen DS3 R3T and 3rd with Elfyn Evans in his Ford Fiesta R2. The Bulldog was round 2 and the top 3 were all in Citroen DS3 R3T's, including now, Keith Cronin. The top 3 in round 2 were Tom Cave, Cronin and Jarkko Nikara. Round 3 was the Pirelli, and Cronin was now getting in to his stride and took top honours, with Nikara 2nd and Donnelly 3rd. The Jim Clark was round 4 and Cronin took his first back to back win of the season, ahead of Cave and Jonny Greer's DS3 R3T. It was 3 on the spin for Cronin as he headed back over the sea for the Ulster, Evans was an excellent 2nd in his R2 and Osian Pryce rocked up in 3rd in his DS3 R3T. A measured drive in the season finale, the International Rally Yorkshire would see Cronin crowned champion for a 3rd time in 3 attempts, and so it proved. Cronin was 3rd behind Tom Cave and Osian Pryce but headed the championship leaderboard when it came to giving out awards by finishing 8 points ahead of Tom Cave, with Pryce 3rd and Evans 4th.

2012 Sunseeker

2012 Todds Leap Ulster

The Renault Twingo RS R1 is a modified and repainted partswork with homemade decals representing theDNF Sunseeker car from round 1 and the DS3 is an IXO base with homemade decals decals representing the Todds Leap winning car from 2012.


2013
Having proved beyond doubt that he could hold his own in the BRC, Keith moved on to a fresh challenge for 2012, so a new champion would be crowned. Evans also moved on to take part in the JWRC and promptly won it in his Fiesta R2, proving his class.
7 events would make up the championship, but the order had been shuffled and the Sunseeker would now be the season finale. The opening event, the Rally of North Wales was unfortunately cancelled due to icy conditions, so it would be back to 6 events again. So the Pirelli (now the Pirelli Richard Burns Foundation International Rally) was won by Jukka Korhonen is his Citroen DS3 R3T. Alastair Fisher was 2nd and Tom Cave 3rd in identical cars. The next round was the Jim Clark and Korhonen won his 2nd on the bounce, Tom Cave improved to 2nd and Osian Pryce 3rd in his DS3 R3T. Alastair Fisher won the Scottish round next, with Korhonen and Cave close behind. Pryce, Korhonen and Donnelly took the podium at the Todds Leap Ulster and Pryce Korhonen and Fisher took the podium at the Yorkshire. Korhonen had a health lead going in to the season finale the Sunseeker, and it proved enough, as he took 3rd place behind Pryce and Cave and beat them both by 100 points to 92 in the title race. A well deserved victory for Korhonen but with the podium in all 3 rounds being filled with Citroen DS3 R3T drivers, the absence of the spectable of a varied entry field made this year somewhat bland to many observers.

2013 Jim Clark

This is an IXO base with homemade decals representing the Jim Clark winning car from 2013.


2014

Sourced from thecheckeredflag.co.uk

In the MSA British Rally Championship’s distinguished 56 year history, it’s hard to recall a year that’s been as tough, dramatic and unfortunately as sad as 2014, a year in which the championship made the national news headlines for all the wrong reasons.
That coverage came on a dark day at the Jim Clark Rally in May, the second event of an already turbulent season for the UK’s premier rally series, when two incidents on the same day claimed the lives of three spectators and injured six others.
The most serious incident saw a front-running DS3 leave the road and fatally strike a group of spectators. Naturally the event, the only closed-road rally in the mainland UK, was cancelled with immediate effect, with the incidents later leading to a review of motorsport safety in Scotland.
With the championship reeling from those events, there was further tragedy three months later on the Ulster Rally when rising young talent Timothy Cathcart passed away following an incident on the Northern Irish event, leaving the sport in mourning.

It proved to be a difficult year throughout for the championship, with a lack of entries plaguing the series. It was particularly a problem in the headline R3 class where only two drivers competed in all five events, leading to the British motorsport’s governing body the MSA to make some radical decisions on the BRC’s future.
They elected to run the BRC in-house from 2016 after being unhappy with the tender process to find a new promoter, ending UK Rally’s nine year run in charge of the championship, and with it made the decision for the series to take a one-year sabbatical in 2015 to allow consultation on its future.
That decision, made in June, led to the cancellation of the season-ending Rallye Dorset (re-branded from Rallye Sunseeker), with the event organisers citing financial implications caused by an uncertain future for the championship and therefore their event.
That was the second event of the year not to run after the original season opener, Rally North Wales, was forced to be postponed for the second year running, this time due to a lack of entries across the event.
While there were sadly plenty of unfortunate stories surrounding the championship this year, there was still the small matter of adding a new name to the prestigious roll call of BRC champions that includes Colin McRae, Richard Burns, Malcolm Wilson and Ari Vatanen.
Daniel McKenna and Osian Pryce headed into the season hotly tipped for success after taking the RallyTwo class title and overall vice-champion’s honours in 2013 respectively, and they certainly rose to their billing as they played out a fierce championship duel.
Pryce got off a perfect start with victory on the Pirelli Carlisle RB Foundation Rally, his fourth consecutive BRC win after his superb end to the previous campaign, before McKenna hit back on the Jim Clark with his maiden BRC success.
McKenna followed that up with a victory on the RSAC Scottish Rally that proved decisive after Pryce retired with gearbox problems. A third consecutive win on the Ulster, with Pryce in close pursuit, meant the Irishman’s advantage sat at 22 points heading into the double header Isle of Man finale.
It looked like the Pirelli Star Driver might have thrown away his chances of success with a dramatic roll towards the end of the opening points-scoring round, but a great turnaround by the DGM Sport team saw him back out for the final action.
That meant that when Pryce, who took maximum points in the penultimate event, suffered a bent suspension on the final day McKenna and co-driver Arthur Kierans secured the title by eleven points, with Pryce and Dale Furniss left to settle for second.
The sparse entry for the headline R3 class meant that despite missing half the year, Callum Black was the next best R3 competitor. Another to compete in a DS3, Black secured third on the Jim Clark and a career-best BRC finish of second in Scotland before departing from the action.
Finishing an impressive third overall in the championship as the R2 class champion was Calvin Beattie, after he enjoyed a close battle with fellow Irishman Dean Raftery throughout the campaign in their respective Ford Fiesta R2’s.
The class title was initially awarded to Raftery, though with points awarded erroneously to him an amended classification gave Beattie the crown. It was a retirement in the penultimate round that ultimately cost Raftery, who had taken four class wins to Beattie’s two.
Splitting them in the final standings was Gus Greensmith. Campaigning a Ford Fiesta R1, Greensmith overcame early competition from Chris Wheeler and Harry Threlfall to secure the British Junior Rally Championship with five class wins in the six rounds.
At the front, Citroen’s monopoly of the R3 class led to a comprehensive, almost unopposed victory in the BRC Constructors Championship over Ford (M-Sport). There was some input from other marques, with appearances for Renault, Peugeot and Abarth.
Garry Pearson competed in a new Peugeot 208 R2 in the first half of the year, Renault trialled their new Clio R3 model in Scotland with 2013 BRC champion Jukka Korhonen and Abarth made an appearance on the Jim Clark with 500’s for former BRC champion Jonny Milner and Georgia Shiels.
For McKenna, Pryce, Raftery and Greensmith meanwhile, their successes earnt them a free entry onto the World Rally Championship season finale Wales Rally GB as part of the championship’s ‘Road to Wales’ campaign.
McKenna saw mechanical problems hamper his event and lead to a retirement, Pryce starred in a Ford Fiesta R5 taking 18th overall, and Raftery and Greensmith finished secured second and third respectively in class RC4 in Fiesta R2’s.

2014 Manx

This is an IXO base with homemade decals representing the Manx winning car.


2015
No British Rally Championship for 2015, the first time in its history dating all the way back to 1958 that it has not taken place for reasons within its own control. Everyone was keeping their fingers crossed that the people at the MSA came up with a format that would bring this Championship back to its former glory and justify its suspension this year and the loss of the Sunseeker.


2016

sourced from britishrallychampionship.co.uk

After a year’s sabbatical, the MSA British Rally Championship provided high-octane action across the seven-round series. There was an electric atmosphere before the curtain-raiser, the Mid Wales Stages. Over 40 crews in pristine new overalls converged for a ‘Class of 2016’ photoshoot. Scanning the four rows, it was evident that Britain’s premier rallying series was back, healthier and stronger than ever with a quality array of drivers and co-drivers all eager to get stuck into the new championship formula – and to start, the opening stages of the new season would be held in fever-pitch darkness. The season included the twist of a joker card which participants could nominate ahead of a rally and score extra points from. Something for the purests to frown at but in theory it gave the chance for someone to steal the title from left field. Leading the crews away were WRC stars Elfyn Evans/Craig Parry, driving a Ford Fiesta R5 for the DMACK BRC Team. Behind the Welsh duo were another 22 R5/S2000-specification machines all jostling for supremacy on the snow-lined gravel stages. On home soil, Evans and Parry showed their class on the first stage, immediately pulling out a lead of 18.2 seconds. Many expected Elfyn to pull away and romp home by a comfortable margin. They were wrong. Up stepped Swedish star Fredrik Ahlin in a Pirelli-shod CA1 Sport Fiesta R5. The Swede went into the second day sure that he could win the opening round with Morton Erik Abrahamsen calling the notes. A pumped-up Ahlin showed the homegrown hero the way to go on the opening two stages of the second day and by stage four had grasped the lead. Evans retaliated, demonstrated his world-class pedigree to overhaul his adversary and win the opening round of the series by just 17.1 seconds. Tom Cave in his Spencer Sport Michelin Fiesta R5 made it three different tyre manufacturers side the top three. With the experienced James Morgan alongside, the young Welshman gained in confidence with every stage to put himself in a comfortable third. Rounding out the top five were 2011 BRC Champion David Bogie/Kevin Rae in their newly-acquired Skoda Fabia R5 and fellow Scottish stars Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton, who showed the promise of the Peugeot 208 T16 R5.

Heading across the Irish Sea, the BRC crews next faced the iconic Circuit of Ireland. The first Tarmac event of the year would see Evans fly out-of-the-blocks, leading the event outright after the opening two stages. Disaster struck the championship leader on stage three, however, when the auxiliary belt cried enough. Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan looked set to inherit the BRC lead on the Belfast-based event but they too had to retire on the same stage. Stepping into the breach were Marty McCormack/David Moynihan in their Skoda Fabia S2000 and Ahlin in his Fiesta, who entered a ding-dong battle throughout the first day. Ahlin was primed to lead the event going into the overnight halt, but a slippery hairpin on the Newtownards street stage caught the Swede out as he clouted the left-rear of the Fiesta into a curb, limping the car to the finish. Fredrik made roadside repairs to get the car back to service, only losing 23 seconds in the process. A subsequent pacenote error saw Ahlin crash out of the event and the lead of the rally. Leading the field away on the second day, McCormack knew his S2000-spec Skoda would be challenged by the newer R5 cars, especially in the drying conditions with Josh Moffett/John Rowan pressing on in their Ford Fiesta R5. Moffett gained time on the opening two stages before leader McCormack came to a grinding halt with a faulty fuel pump. As the final loop began, Moffett established a comfortable gap ahead of Jonathan Greer/Kirsty Riddick, who had enjoyed an uneventful rally, steering clear of trouble to take their first podium of the season, while Bogie was rewarded with third after an incident-filled weekend. Tom Cave had a troubled run on the Irish Tarmac but made the best of the bad situation to just miss a podium in fourth, while on their first Tarmac rally, Jamie Anderson/Ross Whittock (Ford Fiesta R5) took an incredible fifth in front of young chargers Rhys Yates/Tom Woodburn in a similar Fiesta R5.

Kielder Forest provided the backdrop for round three, the Pirelli Carlisle Rally. Returning to take on the BRC regulars was former BRC round winner Matthew Wilson in an M-Sport Fiesta. Evans was once again the man to beat, but a puncture on stage three shuffled the Welshman down the order. Ahlin had shown his gravel prowess in mid Wales and seized the opportunity to take his first BRC win on the Pirelli, making him the third different driver in as many events to claim the top spot and the first Swedish driver since 1995 to win a round. In his one off appearance, Wilson took a fine second as Evans climbed up the results sheet to round out the podium. Crucially, Ahlin left Cumbria with the championship lead heading to Scotland. Cave notched up another fourth place, while McCormack took his first finish of the year, hustling his Kumho-supported S2000 Skoda into fifth.

Fired-up after missing the Pirelli Carlisle win, Evans showed why he is worthy of a WRC factory seat by leading from start-to-finish on the Scottish Rally. It was to be a drama-fuelled affair behind the DMACK ace, with four drivers vying for the remaining rostrum positions. Ahlin was amongst them until a driveshaft let go on stage three, sidelining the Swedish sensation. Cave had been chalking up several solid results and – now feeling comfortable in his Fiesta – started to show he was the best-of-the-rest behind the on-form Evans. The Spencer Sport star ended the one-day fast-and-furious sprint in a comfortable second. Bogie had held the spot and was due to take his best finish of the season until he stopped on the road section heading to the finish with a damaged radiator. With Scottish hopes extinguished, Desi Henry took his first podium of the year.

The Nicky Grist Stages provided an exciting challenge for teams, with the first day on gravel and the second on the famous Tarmac Epynt roads. Cave led the early charge, capturing the first stage win ahead of Bogie and Ahlin. A spin on the opening test for Evans saw him languish in fourth momentarily, before a fightback on the second and a stunning time on the third elevated him into the rally lead, with Cave hanging onto his coat tails throughout the event. Making an early charge was Jamie Anderson, who ran as high as third on the opening day in his Fiesta R5 – enjoying a scrap with Henry and Greer along the way. Matt Edwards had shown some giant-killing exploits in BRC2 on the opening four rounds, and on the Nicky Grist Stages, all the Mitsubishi Evo 9 driver had to do was finish to be crowned champion – a feat he achieved alongside navigator Will Rogers. At the front of the field on the second day, Evans and Cave were comfortable out front with Henry in third as the trio replicated the Scottish Rally podium at the finish in Builth Wells. Drama was to unfold behind, however, as Anderson dropped from a fine fourth to an eventual eighth, allowing Bogie, Moffett, Greer and Yates to move ahead of him on the timesheets.

The penultimate round was to see a champions’ drive from Evans and Parry on the lanes around Derry/Londonderry. To claim the title on the Ulster Rally, the Welsh pair had to win the event, an achievement they completed in fine style as they led from start-to-finish, but it wasn’t to be plain sailing for the WRC2 crew as they were pushed hard by triple BRC Champion Keith Cronin and co-driver Mikie Galvin in their Citroen DS3 R5. The Irish pair had not been seen in the BRC since their early exit on the Circuit of Ireland and they were out to make amends. Nestling into third was Cronin’s DGM stablemate Greer, who used his Irish Tarmac knowledge to build a cushion ahead of Bogie. Eventual BRC Champion Evans and eventual Irish Champion Cronin were separated by a mere 4.5 seconds at the end of the first day, but problems struck the latter at the lunchtime service on day two. Gearbox and differential gremlins had worked their way into the DS3 R5, meaning Cronin had to leave service late with a stack of penalties. Fighting his way back, the Irishman recovered to fourth on his return to the series while Greer and Bogie rounded out the rostrum – both claiming their second podium of the campaign.

The first season of the new-look BRC had its curtain call on the picturesque Isle of Man, with three days of titanic Tarmac action that captivated the island. Along with the regular BRC crews, the season finale saw two top-notch interlopers –Citroen WRC star Craig Breen and triple BRC Champion Mark Higgins. Breen unfortunately retired early on, but Higgins took the fight to Evans on the asphalt event. Elfyn set the initial pace, but driveshaft woes on the second night set up a tantalising showdown to the final day of the season with Higgins holding the upper hand. Evans had to work hard for his fifth win of the year, edging Manxman Higgins by just 5.9 seconds at the finish outside the famous TT Grandstand. With the title already decided, there was a five-way fight for the runner-up spot in the championship. Cave was the class of the group as he traded times with the top two throughout to put himself second on the BRC rostrum and second in the 2016 series. Enjoying a scrap with Cave throughout, Henry took his third podium of the season and his first on Tarmac. After sealing the BRC2 title, Matt Edwards graduated to an R5 Fiesta for the final two events. Following a solid run on the Ulster, Edwards looked at home in his new machine on the Manx lanes, climbing the order throughout the long event to take fourth in the BRC section ahead of Greer, Bogie and Alex Laffey and Andrew Roughead, who took their best finish of the season in eighth in their Fiesta R5.

The return of the BRC after the years sabattical and to be fair, my expectations were exceeded with lots of cars entering and lots of fabulous machinery, including the return of 4 wheel drive in the form of R5 machines.
Elfyn Evans (after losing his WRC seat) was the runaway winner, winning the Mid Wales, Scottish, Nicky Grist, Ulster and IOM events in his Dmack sponsored car.

2016 Ulster

This is a redecaled IXO model of Evans Fiesta R5 Evo from the Ulster rally, using Rally Decals Shop and home made decals.


2017
Sourced from thecheckeredflag.co.uk

After Elfyn Evans made the move into the World Rally Championship for 2017, the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship saw both new and returning faces to the series with past champions, newcomers and returning drivers entering in 2017.
And it was just one point that separated the top two drivers in Britain’s premier rallying championship after seven events in six territories, with the series going down to the very last stage of the season. But after the many twists and turns throughout 2017, it was Keith Cronin who produced one of the most memorable championship comebacks in recent history to claim a fourth British Rally Championship in his first season after returning to the series.
After focusing on the Irish Tarmac championship in 2016 back in his homeland, Irishman Cronin announced his intensions for a tilt at the title by signing with one of the biggest teams in World rallying, M-Sport, to drive a latest-spec Ford Fiesta R5 in a full season campaign this year and despite a shaky start, the deal proved to be one that benefited him dearly.
Cronin’s main rival, Swede Fredrik Ahlin returned in 2017 after a debut season the previous year again driving for CA1 Sport but this year instead driving a Skoda Fabia R5 after completing 2016 in a Fiesta R5.
With Cronin and Ahlin two of the championship favourites before the first round, the Border Counties Rally, the BRC1 class also saw various returning drivers from 2016, with Matt Edwards, Tom Cave, Rhys Yates, former champion David Bogie and Martin McCormack just some of the drivers to re-enter ahead of 2017’s curtain raiser.
The Border Counties Rally was new to the series in 2017 after the cancellation of the Mid-Wales Stages and stepped in to host the opening round and didn’t disappoint. Ahlin took the victory in dominating fashion in the first gravel event of the year on round one and instantly showed his intentions for the rest of the season with Tom Cave and Osian Pryce rounding out the top three and to-be champion Cronin claiming fourth on his BRC debut for M-Sport in his Fiesta R5 Evo (which was upgraded to Evo 2 spec later in the season).
Round two took the crews into Cumbria and the traditional BRC event the Pirelli International Rally. Another gravel event suited Ahlin, but unlike on round one was made to work for his win after a close battle with 2016 Drive D-MACK Champion Osian Pryce. Pryce in a Spencer Sport-ran Fiesta would go on to claim second on this event, but this was only the start for the Welshman who would put in some fine performances across 2017.
Behind Pryce and Ahlin was Martin McCormack who was able to benefit from Cronin’s first retirement of the season after rolling out of the event. Another man to suffer bad luck in Kielder was Tom Cave who had switched to a Hyundai i20 R5 only for the new car to suffer suspension problems at the beginning of day two as well as David Bogie in a sister-CA1 car to Ahlin; the Scot did however manage to salvage fourth overall after brake issues on day one.
A return to Scotland and the RSCA Scottish Rally was round three in 2017, with championship leader Ahlin aiming to make it a hat trick of wins in the first three events of the season, but hometown here Bogie had other ideas.
The man who comes from town where the rally was based, Dumfries in the Scottish Borders, had a ding-dong battle with his teammate throughout the whole of the event with the pair separated by just 0.1 of a second with one stage remaining on Saturday afternoon and it was Bogie who would go on to claim the victory.
On the last stage, the Ahlin hit a rock that managed to get wedged into the radiator of his Fabia subsequently bursting it and putting him out of the rally and earning him no points. Osian Pryce therefore took the runners up spot ahead of McCormack with Cronin again finishing fourth for the second time in three events.
June saw the BRC head oversees for the first time in its history and be part of the Ypres Rally in Belgium and was the beginning of Cronin’s championship push. The former champion was on his favoured tarmac surface for the first time this season and made sure to take full advantage.
As Cronin dominated at the front, both Ahlin and Bogie who were at the sharp end of the championship standings would suffer big accidents. Bogie in particular would suffer deeply and would not return to the BRC for the remainder of 2017 after substantial damage to the Fabia R5, while Ahlin’s title push suffered a hit for the second round in succession. The Swede was however able to recover to finish sixth in the BRC1 class and earn crucial championship points.
With Ahlin in trouble and Bogie out, Matt Edwards, who was constantly improving throughout 2017 and Pryce were the drivers who were able to take advantage and claim the remaining podium places in Belgium.
After the trip abroad and ahead of the next round of the championship, the Nicky Grist Stages, a battle between Ahlin and Pryce seemed to be forming, with Cronin still behind in the standings.
Pryce was seemingly on the verge of winning his home event when heartbreak struck the Welsh driver as the fuel pump failed on the Fiesta, forcing him to retire and earn no points in his battle for the championship.
As Pryce’s dream win fell by the wayside, Ahlin could take full advantage and claim another victory, his third of the season, on the only mixed surface event of the year. Behind him finished Edwards, on the podium for the second event in succession and Rhys Yates who earned his first appearance in the top three in Wales. Cronin again suffered problems on a gravel event, and went off the road and would score no points.
After visiting Scotland, England, Wales and Belgium, the BRC then made the trip to Ireland for the Ulster Rally where the champion to be Cronin was in unstoppable form. His home event saw him dominate amongst the BRC runners during a weekend with extra competition from the Ireland Tarmac Championship and drivers including Sam and Josh Moffett.
Cronin made the most of his previous experience on Irish tarmac and claimed the win ahead of rival Ahlin with Marty McCormack the man taking third. Pryce in the Spencer Sport Fiesta suffered yet another fuel pump issue and again retired leaving him all but mathematically out of the title race.
The Welshman announced days later he was not to take part in the BRC finale on the Isle of Man in a bid to save budget ahead of him coming back for another title challenge in 2018.
With the double header on the Isle of Man the final stop in the record breaking 2017 BRC season, the title race was down to three drivers; championship leader Ahlin, the comeback king Cronin and the ever-consistent Edwards.
With Pryce not competing in the final event, M-Sport in a bid to earn championship points in the teams championship, asked Edwards to be their nominated driver alongside Cronin and Alex Laffey and the move would pay dividends as they went on to claim the title by 24 points over rival squad CA1 Sport.
The Isle of Man event used a double header format, meaning it was all to play for the three drivers still in with a chance of claiming the top prize.
Cronin who had to win both events, started in perfect fashion, claiming the leg one victory at the end of day two ahead of Edwards, who had needed to win to stay in the championship hunt and Ahlin who took third.
So with one leg left, it was between championship leader Ahlin and Cronin who was on a mission to complete the ultimate series comeback and by the end of leg two, the Irish driver had done just that by claiming the victory in the final round of the season.
Cronin showed his strength on tarmac and won the championship by a sole point ahead of Ahlin in turn thanks to Edwards who had again snatched crucial points away from the Swede after finishing second on leg two on the Isle of Man, incredibly finishing just 0.1 seconds behind Cronin.
The Prestone Motorsport News BRC Junior class had a similar ding-dong battle throughout 2017, with Callum Devine going toe-to-toe with William Creighton throughout the entire season.
The pair battled at the front of the timesheets across all seven rounds, with Devine ultimately taking the title as the championship as like in BRC1 went down to the wire.
Over the course of the seven rounds, five different winners were on the top step of the podium, with Devine proving his ability on the way to winning the £30,000 cash prize by taking three victories along with Creighton, Oscar Solberg who took the first win of the season, Cameron Davies and Marty Gallagher also taking maximum scores at points throughout the year.
After beginning the season in a Ford Fiesta R2T, a change of car to an Opel Adam R2 before the Ypres Rally proved a masterstroke Devine and he went on to win both the Belgian event and the following Nicky Grist Stages as he went on to win three out of the final rounds of the year.
Consistency was key to runner up Creighton as he was always within the top four across the year in his Peugeot 208 R2, but the Irishman could not cope with the pace from Devine as he claimed the title. Third at the end of the season went to Solberg with Creighton taking fourth.
The BRC Cadet class, open to older specification R2 cars saw Josh Cornwell dominate all season with a near-perfect record. The youngster wrapped up the title with a round to spare ahead of Tom Williams and Alex Waterman, with Cornwell only dropping points on the Nicky Grist Stages, while the BRC4 class saw two season entries with David White in a Ford Fiesta R2 beating BMX world champion Gee Atherton by 50 points; Atherton having to miss several events during the season due to a large biking accident

2017 Border Counties

2017 Ypres

These 2 models by Piotr at Modele Sklep represent the Evo car from the Border Counties and the Evo 2 Ypres winner.


2018

sourced from britishrallychampionship.co.uk

The Prestone MSA British Rally Championship celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 2018 and despite a challenging season with two rounds being cancelled, Britain’s premier rallying series still managed to produce exciting edge-of-the-seat action once again in its 60th anniversary season.

With the Border Counties Rally called off due to the extreme weather provided by the ‘Beast from the East’, the championship curtain raiser was be held on the fast and furious stages of the Kielder Forest complex for the Pirelli International Rally. Defending champion’s Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin harnessed the latest Hyundai i20 R5 and picked up where they left off from 2017 by punching in the fastest time on the event – getting up to speed in the Michelin-supported machine straight away. Young-gun Rhys Yates and Elliott Edmondson also had a brand new weapon at their disposal with a Skoda Fabia R5 their championship mount for the new season as they slipped in just behind Cronin with fellow Fabia crew Marty McCormack and David Moynihan also showing early promising. Tipped for success was David Bogie and John Rowan in their Skoda Fabia R5, but a uncharacteristic roll from the Scottish driver left him on the side lines very early on. Matt Edwards and Darren Garrod came close to their first win on the 2017 championship finale and were eager to break their victory duck on the Cumbrian gravel. Leading the M-Sport line-up for 2018, the Pirelli-backed pair stepped-up to the plate and on stage three pushed their way to the front of the order and didn’t look back. Edwards kept pulling away, and after the one-day opening round shoot-out, the Swift-supported driver took his first International rally win by 20.5 seconds. Cronin was set to take a strong second place before heading to a triple header of Tarmac rounds but the Irish driver was piped to the post on the final stage by an on form Rhys Yates who sealed his best ever BRC result with second. Marty McCormack was in the podium hunt until gearbox gremlins prevented further progress but a solid fourth in the Kumho Skoda got his challenge underway, while Jonathan Greer and Kirsty Riddick were trying out a Ford Fiesta R5 and were pleased with fifth as he gained important mileage under the belt. Edwards’ teammates Alex Laffey and Patrick Walsh were sixth ahead of BRC debutant Lawrence Whyte and co-driver Stuart Loudon, BRC wildcard Thomas Preston and Max Freeman. Sacha Kakad and James Aldridge also made their BRC bow and picked up their first points in their maiden R5 drive together.

With the dust settling from the Pirelli – the BRC went into Europe for the legendary Ypres Rally. Mixing it with some of the best drivers in the world including Thierry Neuville, the plucky BRC crews entered the Flanders region in the search of vital championship points on the first tarmac event of the year. As predicted by many, last year’s BRC Ypres winner Keith Cronin dominated the early proceedings. Leading going into the second day, the Irishman just had to tick off the stages, but a lapse in concentration on stage 10 dropped Cronin into the clutches of his rivals and an off into a field made the Hyundai driver’s heart beat that little bit faster.
Championship leader Edwards was having a nightmare in Ypres. Gremlins had worked their way into the Fiesta R5’s electronics, thus not allowing Edwards to extract the maximum from the M-Sport machine. Along with power-steering failure, the Welsh driver had it all to do on the final day. With his never-say-die approach, Edwards kept fighting and clawed his way up to second, just behind Cronin with a handful of stages left. Ypres crowd favourite Marty McCormack was having his strongest showing of the year in second but a puncture followed by an off put paid to his weekend on the second day, denying the likeable Northern Irishman what would have been his best BRC result. With the rally entering its final stages, disaster struck for Cronin as a last stage puncture dropped the leader down to third allowing Edwards to pounce and seal his first win on Tarmac. David Bogie was out to finish after his opening round disappointment and was pleased to pick up a strong second to get his championship tilt underway. Rhys Yates was the man everybody was watching in Belgium with locals tipping the Englishman for greatness in the ditch-cutting lanes. After winning Rally van Wervik – a useful Ypres warm-up event, Yates put himself into the BRC mix. Trying too hard on the opening day saw the Skoda driver visit a field before retiring early on the second day with co-driver Elliott Edmondson not well enough to continue. Alex Laffey recorded his best ever BRC finish in fourth while James Williams rounded out the top five and with it the Junior BRC win and first front-wheel-drive car home on the event.

From the sun-kissed Belgian roads to the bumpy, demanding, wet Ulster lanes. The trip across the Irish Sea is always a favourite amongst the competitors with its unique roads and weather conditions proving an important leg in the championship race. With 2017 winner Keith Cronin absent from the billing this year, a new name would take to the top step in Northern Ireland. Rhys Yates drew first blood as he hoped to make up for a disappointing weekend in Ypres. Following him on the timesheets was local star Jonny Greer who put his Fiesta into second. Unfortunately for Greer, a rare off put him out of the event, denying the fans a home winner. Another local star Marty McCormack also knocked on the door of a podium but McCormack called time on the final morning after several excursions in his Skoda Fabia R5. With the local challenge halted, this left a three way fight for supremacy with Matt Edwards and David Bogie eyeing the top spot, held by Rhys Yates. Yates was a man on a mission – chasing his first BRC win. A late wrong tyre choice, puncture and a few hairy moments saw him haemorrhage time but still manage to cling onto the final rostrum position. David Bogie had been waiting and watching as he honed the set-up on his Skoda Fabia R5. Growing in confidence with every stage mile, the Scot punched in some fastest stage times to take back-to-back second places to move into second in the series. The man of the moment shone again. Matt Edwards wrestled the lead off Rhys Yates on stage seven and didn’t look back as he completed a clean sweep of BRC victories – giving him a strong grip on the championship heading to his home event.

With Rally Isle of Man deciding to cancel the event at the last minute, the focus quickly switched to Wales Rally GB for two tough and demanding rounds, with the BRC sharing the iconic forestry stages with the globetrotting FIA World Rally Championship. The opening round of the weekend was the opening special stage at Tir Prince on the Thursday evening before a flat-out day in the forests on Friday. Yates was king of the ring on the opening night before the Flying Scotsman, David Bogie lit up the forests with his pace – putting many in WRC2 behind him. No other BRC driver had an answer for Bogie as he dominated the opposition in his DMACK-supported Fabia on his way to his first BRC win of the season. Yates, try as he may, couldn’t live with Bogie on the opening leg and settled for second. Despite Bogie winning the battle, it was to be Edwards’ war as the Welshman took it cautiously through the opening round in the Pirelli-backed Fiesta and finished third to secure his first BRC title in front of his family and home fans. Alex Laffey had another quiet affair as he built his speed. Another fourth place was a strong result and with consistency, this kept him in with mathematical chance of a top three in the series standings.

Onto the final round of the series and the gloves were off. With the title decided it was going to be a three-way fight. Edwards wanted a win to round out the year, Bogie wanted the Wales double and Yates was searching for his first win. Yates was the first to fall foul of the demanding Welsh stages as the English driver retired early on, leaving the door opening to a two-horse race. Bogie and Edwards, meanwhile, went hammer and tongs across the mid Wales stages on Saturday with Champion elect Edwards trailing by 34 seconds. On the final day, Bogie tried that little but too hard as the Dumfries driver searched for an overall top 12 result on the WRC event as well as the BRC win. Bogie went off on stage 20, thus handing the lead and win to Edwards. The Welsh driver as sealed his championship in style by powering his Fiesta through the Llandudno street stage and Gwydir forest in fine fashion. Alex Laffey took his first gravel stage win on Wales Rally GB and his best ever result as he notched up second on the rally to Matt Edwards and second in the standings – making it a dream season for M-Sport. Norwegian Steve Rokland rounded out the main BRC podium with a fine drive in his Peugeot 208 R2 on his way to the Junior BRC title.  

2018 Ulster

This is a Realcarmodels from Hungary model of the Ulster event winning car.


2019
The 2019 6 round season started off in great fashion for defending champion, Matt Edwards. Victory on the Cambrian rally in his Ford Fiesta R5 Evo 2, ahead of David Bogie and Marty McCormack in their Fabia R5's was just what he had wanted. Round 2 was to a new location in West Cork. Craig Breen headed Alastair Fisher in their Fiesta R5 Evo 2's, however as neither were involved in the series, top BRC points went to Tom Cave in his Hyundai i20 R5. Edwards was 4th, and Josh Moffett in 7th picked up the final BRC podium spot. The Pirelli was round 3, and Tom Cave won it for his 2nd win in a row. Rhys Yates in his Skoda R5 took 2nd, and David Bogie in 4th took the 3rd podium step in the BRC. Disaster struck for Matt Edwards, as on stage three the M-Sport driver suffered two punctures on the rough, demanding stages. Struggling on, the duo attempted to nurse the car on the road section back to service, but in the process they were in breach of the regulations and thus were struck from the overall results. It was across the channel next for the Ypres round. The 4 of the top 5 spots were taken by VW Polo GTI R5 drivers, headed by Craig Green, and split by the Skoda R5 of Freddy Loix in 4th. First BRC car home was Edwards in 6th, then Cave in 7th and Alex Laffey in his Fiesta R5 in 9th. Round 5 was also outside of mainland UK, and it was the Ulster. Craig Breen continued to demonstrate why he had had chances in the WRC by winning the event, but only by 20 seconds from Edwards. Josh McErlean in his Peugeot 208 R2 took a surprising 2nd place after finishing 12th, and James Williams in his Fiesta R2T19 down in 14th spot picked up 3rd place. Tom Cave and most of the other likely challengers for the overall title either crashed out or had car issues. With 3 wins and a second place to Caves 2 wins and second place, Edwards was in a strong position come the final round, even more so as he hadn't played his Joker. But then neither had Cave - who would win out? Tom Cave did everything his possibly could do by winning the final round which was the Galloway Hills 75 miles rally (how far have distances shrunk since the 50s/60s when events were 300-400 miles long!) and taking maximum points plus joker bonus totalling 30. But Edwards knew a measured drive would take him home safely to a defence of his title and so it proved when he finished 3rd behind Jonny Greers Fiesta R5. Whilst maybe not the fastest on the stages at every event, Matt definitely benefited from the old adage, to finish first, first you have to finish.

2019 Ypres

This is an IXO base model with Rally Decal Shop decals and represents the car Matt drove to finish first of the BRC contenders and take maximum BRC points as a result at Rally Ypres (6th overall behind notable drivers such as Breen, Abring and Loix).

Epic thread! Love that Michelin liveried Cosworth

Thanks Tom - much appreciated- any idea why they weren’t displaying?