For any young Rally prospect, a chance at World Rally experience is too good to pass up, especially if you can win a title along the way. That is exactly what Finlay Reston hopes for his year as he looks forward to a title challenge in the 2021 Junior British Rally Championship. If he succeeds, then the prize of a Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing i20 N Rally2 drive on a round of the World Rally Championship in 2022 awaits him.
He will hope to achieve his goal at the wheel of an M-Sport Fiesta Rally4, considered one of the finest vehicles in the Junior category, and with this machinery and two previous years of JBRC experience under his belt, the 20-year-old Scot is bullish about his chances at a title;
“I`m really positive about this year and everything feels right to be able to return to the Junior BRC and give it a real good go,” he says.
“I love the calendar, it has a strong mix of events, each with their own challenges and I have the benefit of having contested most of them before in some way or another. It looks a very cost-effective proposition this year which is important to many of us. The addition of the Grampian [Forest Stages] is superb, it’s one of my favourite ever events”.
His confidence is well-placed, a two-time podium finisher in 2019 and Runner-up in the opening round of the Covid-shortened 2020 season, there’s every reason to believe that Reston can make that next step required to become a Champion.
That goal of becoming Champion is a whole lot sweeter than merely gaining a new piece of silverware thanks to a collaboration between the British Rally Championship and Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing. The 2021 Junior BRC Champion will have the honour of contesting a round of the FIA World Rally Championship piloting a Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing i20 N Rally 2 in 2022. Reston had this to say on the coveted prize:
“With the World Championship prize drive on offer, it is a no-brainer going for the title again.”
Fans of the young Scotsman will be hoping to see him start the year with success at Oulton Park, where he and returning co-driver Rhys Stoneman will start their title challenge. Whilst Rally wins are of course the goal, Reston is looking further ahead, with his eyes firmly focussed on winning the Championship as a whole.
“I’m looking forward to getting the season underway although Oulton Park will be a step into the unknown for many of us. I’ll be looking to get that round of the way as I think more mistakes are possible at a venue like that. We will knuckle down once we get onto the gravel events. I`ll definitely have my mature head on this season and It’s a big honour to be competing for the prize”.
Wise words from the 20-year-old and he will be hoping that it pays dividends in what will undoubtedly be an exciting year of Junior British Rally action for him and the rest of the field.
