BRC Round 2 - Pirelli International Rally
This year marks the 26th year that Pirelli has sponsored this rally and apart from a three year move to Gateshead, the Pirelli International Rally has always been based in and around Carlisle, the home of Pirelli largest manufacturing plant in Britain. All the competitive millage is within Kielder, Europes largest man-made forest where ultra fast sweeping roads have provided a stern test for many world class drivers for decades.
Reconnaissance is on Friday for the four stages that are each run twice. The shortest test being 11 miles and the longest at just over 16 miles. There will also be a shakedown stage on Friday afternoon after recce for drivers who wish to test their cars on a stage similar to those they will compete on Saturday.On each day the stages will be split with a remote service within the Keilder forest complex before returning to base in Carlisle.
The 2017 MSA British Rally Championship is currently led by Fredrik Ahlin with 25 points from Tom Cave on 22. Cave played his joker card at the first round of the championship in March on the Border Counties Rally. Osian Price is third with 15 points. From this round onwards Tom Cave has exchange his Ford Fiesta R5 for the latest Hyundai i20 R5 and the Welshman would now seem to be equal favourite to score outright wins with Fredrik Ahlin.
28th April, 2017