Rally - BRC on TV in 2017

The MSA British Rally Championship has announced its continued partnership with Channel 4 for the 2017 season.

Channel 4 will show a 30-minute highlights programme on the Saturday morning after each round next season, with a repeat broadcast the following week. The action will also be available to view on Channel 4’s online catch-up service, All 4, shortly afterwards. 

The seven-round series will feature rallies in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man, ad will include its first overseas event in British Rally Championship history, the Ypres Rally in Belgium.

Channel 4’s coverage reached more than 1,000,000 viewers during the 2016 series as World Rally Championship star Elfyn Evans battled his way to title success.

2017 MSA British Rally Championship Calendar:
Rd01, 4/5 March, Mid Wales Stages, Newtown, Gravel
Rd02, 29 April/30 April, Pirelli Carlisle Rally, Carlisle, Gravel
Rd03, 19/20 May, RSAC Scottish Rally, Dumfries, Gravel
Rd04, 23/24 June, Ypres Rally, Ypres Belgium, Asphalt
Rd05, 8/9 July, Nicky Grist Stages, Builth Wells, Gravel/Asphalt
Rd06, 18/19 August, Ulster Rally, Derry/Londonderry, Asphalt
Rd07, 14/16 September, Rally Isle of Man, Douglas, Asphalt

Full Release here:

http://www.jaggybunnet.co.uk/2016/12/18-dec-2017-brc-on-tv/

Scottish Rally Scene .

I see Issue 5 of Bob Irvine's eclectic view of Scottish rallying is now on sale. However I worry about the editorial appeal of some of the content. You'll need to keep the mag out of the reach of weans and the easily offended. He's got another column from Quintin Milne and he interviews Brian Watson! Sounds like a case of a Government Health Warning is needed on the front cover.

Those two aside, this month's 'In Focus' features the work of photographer Colin Smith and there are reports from Mull and Leuchars. There's also a prize crossword with 50 quid on offer for the winner and the magazine features Stonehaven & District MC as the club of the month. All that plus the usual nonsense, opinions and informed gossip.

The mag is available from 'Turner Autosport', 'Mercury Motors' in Largo and at 'Scotfab' in Aberdeen or go to Ebay and type in 'Scottish Rally Scene' and you can buy it there. You get a lot of gloss and colour for your 4 quid and you also find out things you didn't know before and possibly didn't need to know. Ideal for browsing once the hangover kicks in on Boxing Day or January the 2nd.

Rally - Latvala's new car

Toyota Gazoo Racing has announced its driver line-up for the 2017 WRC and officially revealed its new Toyota Yaris WRC machine.

“Toyota is back!” said Team Chairman Akio Toyoda, "I would like to express my gratitude to and respect for those fans who have waited 17 years for this day and also all the rally organisers, participants and automakers who have safeguarded and furthered the sport of rallying during our absence. Thanks to all of you, we’re back."

Built and developed by a team of experienced engineers, including Tom Fowler, Simon Carrier and Mikko Ruoho, the new Yaris WRC has a 380hp 1.6-litre direct injection engine (with an incredible 425 Nm of torque) and benefits from a striking design, thanks to the freedom in the regulations regarding aerodynamics. Check out the door mirrors for attention to detail!

“The Yaris WRC is a well-designed car with incredible potential,” said Tommi Mäkinen, Team Principal. “The new regulations allow for much greater freedom in terms of development. Although we have yet to explore all the possibilities, we can say that the car is reliable and quick. I really can’t wait to see the results in racing conditions.”

Two Yaris WRC, driven by Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hänninen, will contest the opening round of the 2017 World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo on 19 January. Esapekka Lappi, a young Finnish driver who won the WRC-2 Championship this year, will join the team during the season a test driver.

Latvala said: “I started my rally career in a Toyota Corolla GT back in 2001 and my first competitive outing in a World Rally Car was behind the wheel of a Corolla WRC in Estonia in 2003. So in many ways it feels like I’m coming home. I’m really happy to be joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC team from the start and lead this new adventure with them. I feel lucky to be part of this story and hope we will amass many victories as it progresses.”

 Group photo shows, from left to right: Janne Ferm, Kaj Lindström, Mikka Anttila, Jari-Matti Latvala, Juho Hänninen, Esapekka Lappi and Tommi Mäkinen

Rally - Open secret

M-Sport has confirmed that Sebastien Ogier and Ott Tänak will drive the all-new Ecoboost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC in the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship.

Having tested the new Fiesta in Wales last month, Ogier was sufficiently impressed by the team’s latest creation to sign for the team and hopefully his fifth world title. Joining Ogier and Julien Ingrassia in the second Fiesta are Tänak and new co-driver Martin Järveoja.

Commenting on the deal, Malcolm Wilson said: “We go to Rallye Monte-Carlo with the number one on the door of the Ford Fiesta WRC and the strongest driver line-up we have had in years. To say we’re excited about next season is an understatement. We believe that we have produced an exceptional car, and we are in the best possible position ahead of this exciting new era."

“I’ve made no secret of how much we wanted to work with Sebastien and Julien, and it is fantastic to welcome them to the team. We have worked extremely hard to secure them, and they believe that the Ford Fiesta WRC is the car with which they can best defend their championship."

“With Ott and Martin lining up alongside them, we are in for one hell of a season. Ott has had a very impressive year with consistent speed. He’s played a major role in the development of the new car, and I’m sure that the elusive first victory isn’t too far away!”

Sébastien Ogier added: “It’s funny to think that just a few months ago I was sitting at a motorsport forum at Wales Rally GB saying how nice it would be to work with Malcolm one day. I had no idea at the time that it would come quite so soon, but here we are!"

 “There will be a lot of new things this season, but I am definitely looking forward to it. We have a new generation of world rally cars, and a new team. There’s not long before we line-up at the start of Rallye Monte-Carlo and we’ve not had a lot of seat time with the Ford Fiesta WRC, but we’ll give it our best to be ready. We’re aware of the challenges, and I can see how hungry Malcolm and his team are for success."

Ott Tänak said: “I’ve done a lot of testing with the new Ford Fiesta WRC, and it’s a massive step forward. This is the first time that I’ve had a hand in developing a new car completely from scratch and it’s been great to work with the engineers. I have a long history with M-Sport. They know how to build a competitive car and we’ve all worked together to produce something we hope will be quite special."

“The power is insane, and almost every aspect of the car has been completely redesigned. At first, I thought the increased power would make it a bit of a handful, but the guys have done such a good job. Every component works together to give incredible control – it really is the full package."

Rally - Happier times

Way back in 1988 a young man was making his way in rallying. He clinched his first national title on the final round of the Esso Scottish Rally  Championship, the Park Systems Trossachs Rally based at Aberfoyle. Even his co-driver is instantly recognisable despite the fact that he has much less hair nowadays. 

And I just wonder who that terribly handsome chap is congratulating Colin and shaking Derek by the hand. A really flattering view of the chap!