The M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 will make its Motorsport UK British Rally Championship debut in 2023 as former Junior BRC contender Johnnie Mulholland is set to step into four-wheel-drive machinery for the season ahead. After winning the Academy Trophy title in 2021, Mulholland and co-driver Eoin Treacy battled at the sharp end of the Junior championship last season, rounding out the year with … [Read more...]
Rallying
Toyota sweep all before them on Monte opener
Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team started the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship with a one-two finish on Rallye Monte-Carlo as Sébastien Ogier claimed a record ninth victory on the event ahead of team-mate Kalle Rovanperä. Mostly dry weather made this year’s rally – the opening round of the 2023 World Rally Championship – more a test of outright performance than usual. Ogier (below) set the … [Read more...]
Toyota Gazoo Racing looks ahead
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s presentations at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon and the concurrent Tokyo Outdoor Show looked to a future where “no car lovers are left behind”. They showed new concept models, customised vehicles, new engineering ideas and a wider selection of heritage parts to help enthusiasts maintain their classic cars. AE86 Corolla hydrogen and battery electric concepts Toyota is … [Read more...]
Toyota sweep to victory again in Dakar challenge
Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah and his French co-driver, Mathieu Baumel, successfully defended the Dakar title they won for Toyoya Gazoo Racing in 2022, bringing their GR DKR Hilux T1+ over the finish line of this year's event. The pair lost 5min 41sec to the winners of the rally’s final stage, but sealed the overall victory with a winning margin of 1hr 20min 49sec. Al Attiyah (above right) said, … [Read more...]
Shelby honoured; Donington Historics; Bowler at Autosport
American driver, car manufacturer and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby will be celebrated at this year’s Goodwood Revival, over the weekend of 8-10 September. The centenary of Shelby’s birth will be honoured with one of Goodwood’s signature tributes, comprising cars that were not only raced, but also designed and developed by the 1959 Le Mans winner. Running across the weekend, the … [Read more...]
Seven-round sizzler for 2023 Welsh series
World’s greatest gravel forest stages to host seven round 2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship. Many of the world’s greatest gravel forest stages – like Myherin, Sweet Lamb, Dyfnant, Hafren and Crychan – will come together to form the 2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship, with an exciting seven-round calendar planned for next year. Organised by the … [Read more...]
Book review: Chris Coburn and DTV
A comprehensive biography of the irrepressible Chris Coburn has just been published and it's an ideal Christmas gift for motorsport fans. Talented, versatile, and multifaceted – driver, entrepreneur, engineer, and skier – Coburn was a prolific mover and shaker in the world of motorsport during the 1960s/70s. He was instrumental in the formation of the legendary Dealer Team Vauxhall with the … [Read more...]
WRC overhauled for 2023
An all-new three-country concept and the return to North and South America are major highlights of the 13-round 2023 FIA World Rally Championship calendar. In an exciting innovation, the WRC will feature a round which takes place across three countries when Austria, Czech Republic and Germany host the Central European Rally from 26 - 29 October. The asphalt rally will be based out of the … [Read more...]
Evans secures fourth season with Toyota Gazoo WRC team
Wales’ hottest rally driver Elfyn Evans has kept his seat in the Toyota Gazoo WRC team for 2023. The Dolgellau driver will use the latest updated Yaris Rally1 car campaigned with Scott Martin and is the team’s second driver behind World Champion Kalle Rovanperä. WRC Team Founder and President Akio Toyodasaid, “Though Elfyn and Scott had a difficult year in 2022, we will do our utmost to support … [Read more...]
Rally North Wales changes tack for 2023
Rally North Wales has secured a new partnership with Trailhead Fine Foods for 2023 which will see the popular loose surface stage event move its base from Dolgellau to Welshpool. The March 25 event will be known as the Get Jerky Rally North Wales, promoting the Welshpool-based company’s leading nutritious, high-protein beef jerky snacks brand. Organised by Wolverhampton and South … [Read more...]