The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team will celebrate their clean-sweep of the 2022 World Rally Championship titles when they compete on Rally Japan this week. The “homecoming” event will also see the team present two rally concept cars, a new version of the GR Yaris built to Rally2 competition specifications and the GR Yaris H2 powered by a hydrogen combustion engine. The WRC’s first visit … [Read more...]
Rallying
Welsh author’s F1 classic view
Proving every picture tells a story, Welsh motorsport author Richard Jones has self-published a fascinating book from an idea provided by an evocative painting that captures just a brief snapshot from a hot and sunny May afternoon in the tiny Mediterranean principality of Monaco. In fact, the original Nicholas Watts painting (below) proudly hangs on the author’s study wall in Penarth as both his … [Read more...]
Welsh rally decides titles
Ruairi Bell ticked an important box in his rallying career this weekend, taking the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship victory at the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally last weekend. After standing on the BRC podium no less than three times this season, the London-based rally driver had never managed to take his Pirelli-shod Skoda Fabia onto the top step. But a stellar performance across the … [Read more...]
BRC unveil exciting 2023 calendar
The Motorsport UK British Rally Championship 2023 will have new look as it announced an exciting new opening round and potentially dramatic conclusion in North Wales. In a revised roster, Britain’s premier rallying series will feature seven events across the four home nations, with rallies in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and two in Wales. It will also return to mainland Europe as … [Read more...]
WRC championship reaches knife-edge
The battle for the manufacturers’ crown in the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship reaches a potentially decisive point in Spain this weekend as just two teams remain in contention for the crown ahead of RallyRACC – Rally de España 20 – 23 October. Toyota Gazoo Racing can seal its second title in as many years at this penultimate round. The only squad able to prevent that from happening is Hyundai … [Read more...]
Hirst locks up Welsh Rally Championship
Matthew Hirst has won the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship title with a perfect 150 points score after winning the penultimate round of the series, the Wyedean Stages Rally last Saturday. It’s the second time that Hirst and co-driver Declan Dear have been Welsh champions, having won the title in 2019. Driving his Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage Ford Fiesta R5+, Hirst … [Read more...]
World Rally Car Era celebrated at Rallyday
Since inaugurated in 2001, Castle Combe-based Rallyday has established itself as the ‘Go To’ event for rally fans in the UK. This year the organizers of Europe’s biggest one-day rally show were mindful of the sad passing of our inspirational and much-loved monarch, her majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and a minute’s silence and black armbands some of the discreet marks of respect shown by … [Read more...]
Rovanperä rallies to record on Repco
Finnish wunderkind Kalle Rovanperä obliterated the FIA World Rally Championship record books after sealing a historic title with victory at Repco Rally New Zealand. At 22 years and one day old, the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver becomes the youngest driver in the history of the sport to lift the crown - sweeping aside the record previously held by Colin McRae, who won in 1995 aged 27 years and 89 … [Read more...]
Pryce powers to historic British Rally Championship
Osian Pryce has been crowned 2022 British rally champion – winning the title for the first time following victory on the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire. It was his fourth maximum British Rally Championship points score in five events this year – and the second title he’s won on the Trackrod, having clinched the Fiesta ST Trophy in 2011. Osian joins a prestigious list of British rally champions, which … [Read more...]
Driver who recorded ‘impossible’ victories has died
Brian Culcheth, who died 11 September at his home in Porlock after a brief illness, was a rally legend among British fans, especially on home internationals and included winning the 1978 British Rally Championship. His career as a professional driver began as a young member of Harrow Car Club and went on to see him become one of the most successful factory drivers with more than 125 national and … [Read more...]