It's been a busy and exciting four days for fans of British rallying and the rejuvenated MSA British Rally Championship in particular. So here is a breakdown of the major news and announcements coming from the Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham, held between the 14th-17th January. Elfyn Evans Back In The BRC2014 and 2015 M-Sport World Rally Team driver Elfyn Evans is set to return to the British Rally Championship with the DMACK British Rally Team alongside Max Vatanen, after last competing in the series in 2012. The Welshman is to contest the full 2016 season, but will also be competing in the WRC-2 series, so it is set to be a busy year for Evans! He will undoubtedly be the benchmark, and it would be a nice achievement if he could win in a Ford 20 years after his dad Gwyndaf did. Elyfn said, "I'm feeling positive and want to start enjoying driving again, and what better way to begin the BRC than with some really great stages on my home patch in Wales? I want to win rallies and get my name on the championship trophy, but I know I will have a target on my back!" Vauxhall Motorsport Junior Rally Team Announce Their Line-UpAfter initial applications, a shortlist was drawn up and a shoot-out was held at the beginning of the week to find the best two drivers to pilot the team's new Vauxhall Adam R2's. The drives went to Irishman Robert Duggan and Swede Mattias Adielsson, who will both contest a full season in the DMACK Junior BRC in 2016. However, it was announced later that 19 year old Australian Arron Windus will drive a third car for the season alongside his team mates Duggan and Adielsson. Toyota ReturnsToyota is a name synonymous with rallying, after David Llewellin won back to back titles in 1989 and 1990 with a Celica and Jonny Milner repeated this feat in 2002 and 2003 with a Corolla World Rally Car. The Japanese marque are to write a new page in their history books in 2016, with their unique GT86 CS-R3 which will compete on selected rounds of the championship. The car is unique as unlike its R3 rival the DS3, it is rear wheel drive. As of yet, no drivers have been announced Neil Simpson Returns With a Fabia R5Neil Simpson, who last competed in the British Rally Championship back in 2000 in a Production class Mitsubishi Evo, is set to compete on all 7 rounds of the 2016 BRC in a brand new Fabia R5. Simpson said, “It’s been sixteen years since I last contested the British Rally Championship, so I can’t wait to get going again. It will be in at the deep end on the opening round, as the Mid Wales Stages will be my first competitive outing on gravel since 2001, but I’m looking forward to it." “There is going to be a lot of stiff competition in this year’s BRC, with a lot of good drivers in good cars. I have to be realistic about my chances, but I’d certainly like to think I’d be able to challenge for a top five finish early on and for podiums and an outright win later on in the season, once I’ve got back in the swing of it. We’ve certainly got the team, car and ambition to come out fighting.” The first round is set to get underway on the 5th March, the Mid Wales Stages. The championship is set to be back to its very best!
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BRITISH RALLYINGArticles covering rally in Britain, looking at the MSA BRC Archives
September 2017
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