The action-packed Prestone MSA British Rally Championship heads overseas to Belgium for the legendary Renties Ypres Rally, the latest round of the pulsating series 22-23 June.
Leading the championship after the first round in England are Matt Edwards and Darren Garrod in their M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta R5.
The Welsh pairing claimed the opening BRC event on the gravel of the Pirelli International Rally – their breakthrough BRC win.
Ypres is a happy hunting ground, with the Fiesta duo having finished second in the BRC section and tenth overall last year. Edwards will be hoping for more of the same this season as he bids to maintain his championship lead.
The Prestone BRC team are sending the best from all of the home nations in the quest for European silverware. Tony Pond, Jimmy McRae and Kris Meeke are the only British drivers to have lifted the trophy in northern Belgium so far, but that could change in 2018.
Two drama-filled days comprising more than 160 competitive miles in daylight and atmospheric night-time conditions on the fast and flowing Belgian Tarmac roads await the BRC stars.
In the series’ 60th anniversary season, the finest BRC crews will go toe-to-toe with some of the best in the world including FIA World Rally Championship leaders Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul in a factory Hyundai i20 R5 and last year’s Ypres Rally winners Kevin Abbring and Pieter Tsjoen in their brand new Citroen C3 R5.
As well as chasing the overall podium, competitors will be vying for the Tony Pond Award, which will be presented to the first BRC crew across the finish line.
There will also be a Junior Tony Pond Award – adding another incentive for rallying’s emerging talent to go for glory in the Flanders region.