The managing director of the Prestone British Rally Championship Ben Taylor is sure that: “This year is going to take the UK’s premier championship to another level”.
And boss of the series Taylor is adamant that the series is set to continue to grow this season. He said: “We have an exciting new sponsor, fabulous TV deals and a host of drivers throughout the classes who are going to do battle on great stages”.
He added: Everyone is looking to up their game in 2017 – events, drivers, sponsors and of course us organisers too. It’s going to be a great year and we can’t wait to get started”.
2016 saw the reforming of the BRC after a one-season hiatus; champion Elfyn Evans has used his series victory to launch himself back onto the FIA World Rally Championship radar and has already proven his ability with numerous stage wins at the opening round of the WRC in Monte Carlo back in January.
Evans’ move up to the WRC means a new name will be on the trophy this season where they will join a list of rallying greats including Roger Clark, Ari Vatanen, Colin McRae, Richards Burns and Malcom Wilson to have won the most prestigious championship in British Rallying.
The BRC in 2017 will be contested over seven rounds beginning in southern Scotland with the Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally on March 17/18 followed by the longstanding Cumbrian based Pirelli International Rally on April 29/30.
The series then again heads north into Scotland for the RSAC Scottish Rally on May 19/20 before visiting Belgium for the first Asphalt event of the year; the Kenotek Ypres Rally on June 23/24.
The Nicky Grist Stages in Wales is next on the calendar on July 8/9 with the John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally taking place in Ireland two weeks later before the series concludes with the 138.com Rally Isle of Man on the 14/16 September.
