The UK is home to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of rally races and related competitions. These range from privately-organised events to massive series that span the entire country. However, none of these comes close to matching the history, heritage, and pure enjoyment of the British Rally Championship.
A Brief History
The very first British Rally Championship took place back in 1958. The 2018 event marks the 60th anniversary of that first series. While placing in the Championship comes with bragging rights, it also serves as a stepping stone to competing in the European and World Rally Championship.
A Closer Look at the Championship
The British Rally Championship is not a single race. Rather, it is a series of six different rallies. In 2018, the final rally of the British race series will coincide with the second to last round of the European and World Rally Championship, allowing racers to take the stage against some of the top talent in the world.
Eight classes are allowed in the championships. These include BRC 1, BRC Production Cup, BRC 3, BRC 4, national Rally Cup, Junior BRC, Cadet Cup, and Ladies BRC Trophy. However, several rounds of the 2018 event have already been cancelled. The first round, the Border Counties Rally, was to be held in early 2018, but was called off. The Rally Isle of Man that was to be held between August and October was likewise cancelled. The final two rounds will be Wales Rally GB, with their headquarters at Deeside. They will take place from October 26th through the 29th, 2018.
Unique Aspects
While all rally races ultimately pit driver against driver, and car against car, as well as car and driver against nature and the road, there are several things that set the British Rally Championship apart from other rallies, both in the UK and in Europe.
For instance, did you know that all BRC rounds include more mileage than what you’ll find with other rallies? The average gravel round runs about 45 miles of competition. However, a BRC round is almost double that, coming in at 80 miles. The same is true for tarmac/asphalt rounds, which come in around 160 miles.
Another unique twist is that servicing vehicles is strictly limited. Full servicing can only occur at the main service park for each event. Any servicing on the roadside must be done only by the driver and/or navigator, with spares that are carried with them. No supplies, help, or tools can come from outside the car/team.
Finally, the BRC offers teams the chance to make their own notes on all stages before the competition begins. All races begin with a two-pass event, during which all teams are able to note things like driving surfaces, top speed for each stage, and other important information.
As you can see, there’s a lot to love about the British Rally Championship. Whether you’re new to the world rally racing, an old hand, or a driver yourself, there’s something for everyone to love here.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_British_Rally_Championship
http://www.msabrc.com/rallies/
Image: http://blog.toyota.co.uk/tales-from-the-trophy-cabinet-toyotas-top-14-rally-cars