RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

Pwhelli based Andrew Hockridge will contest the forthcoming Bulldog International Rally of North Wales and will use the very same Signature Cheese backed car that he finished second overall in the 2008 C2R2cup, albeit with the latest upgrades and modifications.

Hockridge has recently been concentrating on tarmac events but with his 2008 championship car now upgraded to a full Citroen C2 Max specification by Geoff Jones Motorsport the Welshman has chosen to contest his home rally with Iestyn Williams calling the notes.

I am really looking forward to competing on the Bulldog in my ‘new’ car! We have spent the last 12 months upgrading the C2 and so the Bulldog will be a bit of a shakedown for both the car and myself! I haven’t driven on gravel since the Bulldog Rally last year and so it will take me a few stages to get my head back into gravel spec but it should be a laugh!

Andrew and Iestyn will be one of seven Citroens entered in the Citroen Racing Trophy, which will see all of these highly competitive cars vying for a healthy pot of prize money on this weekends Welshpool based Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship season opener. Using stages such as Sweet Lamb, Hafren, Dyfi and Gartheniog the Bulldog International Rally of North is sure to attract a large number of spectators. Programmes with full details of the stages will be on sale at both the Welshpool and Dolgellau Livestock Markets, as well as at the entrances to the forests.

For more on Andrew please visit www.andrew-hockridge.co.uk
For more on the rally please visit www.bulldog-rally.co.uk

Builth Wells resident Jason Pritchard will debut his brand new Prodrive built Subaru Impreza N16 on the opening round of the 2010 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship, the forthcoming Bulldog International Rally of North Wales.

21 year old Pritchard, a double British R2 Rally Champion, has made the move from two wheel drive to four wheel drive as he looks to take the next step in his already impressive rallying career. And with the latest evolution of the successful Subaru Impreza at his disposal, as well as a guaranteed two year program the young driver has a bright future in the sport. After a short test recently with renowned driver tutor Geoff Jones Jason is positive about the future.

The new car is brilliant, so much fun to drive and so much faster than the Citroen I’m used to. I will have to adapt the way I write my notes and there is still a lot to learn with the new car. Our target on the Bulldog is just to finish as we won’t learn anything in a ditch!

I have to say an enormous thanks to all of those who have supported me, especially my family and sponsors. 2010 marks the beginning of a new era and I fully intend to do give it 110%!

Jason will be joined by the highly experienced Bicester based Robbie Durant. 28 year old Durant co-drove Jason to his first ever outright rally win on the Tempest two wheel drive rally last November. The pair will be supported in 2010 by North Road Garage, FCS Laser mail and Total Impreza Magazine.

The Bulldog International Rally of North Wales is the opening round of the 2010 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship. Based in Welshpool this prestigious event sees competitors tackle eight special stages through the famous Mid Wales forests on Saturday 27 March 2010. Using stages such as Sweet Lamb, Hafren, Dyfi and Gartheniog the rally is sure to attract a large number of spectators. Programmes with full details of the stages will be on sale at both the Welshpool and Dolgellau Livestock Markets, as well as at the entrances to the forests.

For more information on Jason please visit www.jasonpritchard.co.uk
For details on the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship please visit www.rallybrc.co.uk

Ruthin based John Pritchard is all fired up ahead of the forthcoming Welshpool based Bulldog International Rally of North Wales as the former Skoda Trophy Champion looks to carry on the strong start to his Fiesta Sporting Challenge season.

Pritchard enjoyed a strong return to rallying after a decade away from the sport when he battled against snow and ice to finish on the podium in his Copart Finder, KC Auto, U Pull It and Top Signs backed Ford Fiesta ST on the recent Malcolm Wilson Rally.

Although I have never competed on the Bulldog Rally the stages are some of the most famous in British rallying and I am really looking forward to the event.
As it is so close to home a lot of friends and family are coming along to watch and so I will be aiming for a strong run this weekend!

The Bulldog International Rally of North Wales is based in Welshpool and takes in a selection of high speed stages including Gartheniog, Pantperthog, Dyfi and Dyfnant. Using stages such as Sweet Lamb, Dyfi and Gartheniog the rally is sure to attract a large number of spectators. Programmes with full details of the stages will be on sale at both the Welshpool and Dolgellau Livestock Markets, as well as at the entrances to the forests.

The Fiesta Sporting Trophy is a one make series for the popular Ford Fiesta ST and has rapidly gained a reputation for providing intense battles throughout the field and with on event support from M-Sport, the people behind the Ford World Rally Championship project, the championship is an ideal proving ground.

For information on the Fiesta Sport Challenge please visit www.fiestasporttrophy.co.uk

Machynlleth teenager Osian Pryce will make his British rallying debut when the 17 year old student, who recently passed his driving test, tackles the Bulldog Challenge Rally at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta ST this weekend.

Pryce, who has been competing abroad recently, is finally allowed to compete on home soil after passing his road driving licence and will celebrate in style when he and co-driver Craig Parry tackle their home rally in an M-Sport built Fiesta ST .

Finally I am allowed to drive on the roads around my home town and to do the Bulldog Rally as my first event in the UK is a dream come true! I’ve spectated on these stages for years, watching others having a go in their rally cars and now it is my turn!

Pryce and Parry will compete against similar cars within the Fiesta Sporting Challenge, which runs alongside the BRC Challenge but will decide on their plans for the season after the Bulldog Rally.

The rally, which takes place on Saturday 27 March, is based in Welshpool and uses such famous stages as Gartheniog, Dyfi and Pantperthog. Spectators are advised to consult the official website, www.bulldog-rally.co.uk, for the best locations to go and watch.

For more on Osian please visit www.osianprycerallying.webs.com

Revolution Wheels supported Subaru Impreza pilot Jock Armstrong and co-driver Kirsty Riddick posted their first retirement of the season when the pair failed to finish the Jedburgh based Border Counties Rally with gearbox failure.

After winning the opening round of the Hankook MSA Scottish Rally Championship the pair had high hopes of a strong run through the Kielder Forests this weekend but half way through the opening test their Subaru Impreza N11 lost all drive and coasted to a halt!

Jock; we finished third in Group N here last year and so were hoping for a similar result this weekend. Whilst these are proper rally cars there are still a few standard bits and occasionally one of these breaks… that is rallying for you! The championship allows us to count our six best scores from the eight rallies so it’s not the end of the world.

Warren Mckiernan, Revolution Wheels Director; it is unfortunate for Jock and Kirsty as their stage times last year, on their first ever visit to the stages, were very competitive and I’m sure they could have placed well. Sometimes Lady Luck just is not around.

Editors Notes
The 2010 MSA Scottish Rally Championship consists of eight rallies, of which the Border Counties Rally was Round 2. Jock and Kirsty won the opening round, the Snowman Rally, in their Revolution Wheels backed Subaru Impreza N11.

Revolution Wheels manufacture all types of wheels for both historic and modern motorsport events, ranging from 10 inch all the way through the range to the new, ultra lightweight Millennium II 18 inch wheels which are suitable for everything from Production cars to Super 2000 and World Rally Cars.

For more on Revolution Wheels please visit www.revolutionwheels.com or contact the sales office on +44 1827 64111/ 54422

Revolution Wheels is set to support four cars across the two highest profile rally championships in the United Kingdom when the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship and the Dunlop/ Wonago.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship both kick start their seasons on the Bulldog International Rally of North Wales this weekend.

Revolution Wheels will mix experience with young talent as Alistair Fisher and Max Utting join championship regular Rob Swann and Historic rallying ace David Stokes on the opening round which is based in Welshpool.

Irishman Alistair Fisher will once again team up with Rory Kennedy in a Mitsubishi Evo 9. After finishing the 2009 season in third overall, very impressive considering the talented Fisher was tackling the series for the first time; the young nephew of Irish legend Bertie will be one to watch this season.

Max Utting and Kate Blake have only one international start to their names, but after finishing seventh overall on the 2009 Pirelli International Rally the pairing have a strong background. Max will be using the ex Karl Simmons Subaru Impreza N12B and will be looking for a strong start to the season.

Rob Swann and Darren Garrod return in their Subaru Impreza, now upgraded to full N16 specification. Rob and Revolution Wheels go back many years and whilst Rob might not be the youngest member of the team he had experience of all the events to call upon.

David Stokes and Guy Weaver will also be flying the Revolution Wheels flag high in the Historic section of the rally. Dubbed the ‘fan’s favorites’ the Dunlop/ Wonago.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship has grown in strength and prestige in recent years and after narrowly missing out on the 2009 title former Champions Stokes and Weaver will be pushing hard from the word go in their Ford Escort Mk I.

Warren Mckiernan, Revolution Wheels Director; this weekend is a big occasion for Revolution Wheels as we will be supporting four very talented drivers in four different types of car. We are delighted to support the talented youngsters that are coming up through the ranks, and in Rob and David we have two seasoned regulars who will be keen to prove that experience still counts for something!

Editors Notes
The Bulldog International Rally of North Wales in based in Welshpool, Powys and is the opening round of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship and the Dunlop / Wonago.com MSA British Historic Rally Championship

Revolution Wheels manufacture all types of wheels for both historic and modern motorsport events, ranging from 10 inch all the way through the range to the new, ultra lightweight Millennium II 18 inch wheels which are suitable for everything from Production cars to Super 2000 and World Rally Cars.

For more on Revolution Wheels please visit www.revolutionwheels.com or contact the sales office on +44 1827 64111/ 54422

African Pirelli Star Drive recipients Peter Horsey and Moses Matovu are eagerly looking forward to making their first truly international rallying appearance when the pair take to the start of the Bulldog International Rally of North Wales this coming weekend.

Mombasa born Horsey and Tanzanian based Matovu are both regulars in the Kenyan National Rally Championship and the pair have a number of appearances in the African Rally Championship to call upon but the Bulldog Rally, the opening round of the 2010 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship, will be the first time either crew has competed outside of Africa!

Peter; I’ve been told that some of the stages are the same as the ones used on Rally GB last year and so I am really looking forward to the rally, although the stages might be a bit shorter than what we are used to back home!

Moses; I have always wanted to compete in the UK and this weekend the dream becomes a reality! It will be interesting to compare our times against the best of the British but as we are only using the rally for seat time and will have no opportunity to test before hand we have no set targets for the weekend!

Peter and Moses will use a Mitsubishi Evo X for the first time as the pair gain experience of the car ahead of their six round programme in the FIA World Rally Championship.

The Bulldog International Rally of North Wales is based in Welshpool and uses some of the most famous Mid Wales stages such as Myherin, Sweet Lamb and Dyfi. The rally begins with a ceremonial start at 07:30 am. After tackling eight special stages the crews are due back at the finish at approximately 5pm

For more information on Peter please visit www.peterhorsey.com

The British Rally Championship is proud to announce the industry-leading manufacturer of paints and high performance coatings, Dulux Trade, as its title sponsor for the 2010 season.

The British Isles’ only international rally series will be called the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship from today (26/02/2010), and its association with such an esteemed brand reinforces the championship’s status as one of the most respected in the world.

British Rally Championship Managing Director, Mark Taylor, said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen by this established, professional brand and look forward to working with Dulux Trade in its association with the MSA British Rally Championship. The Championship brings a great deal of excitement and entertainment to its supporters, and the sponsorship provides a fun and dynamic platform for Dulux Trade to provide incentives and competitions for its existing and potential customers, as well as its staff. Using the Championship to build on the emotional side of the brand will help promote its pioneering products and services to a new, wider audience base.”

Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Dulux Trade Communications Manager, James Green, said: “Dulux Trade is renowned as a high performance brand among the world’s finest decorating professionals, and we have recently been looking for an innovative way to bring the Dulux Trade brand name and associated messaging to an even broader audience. The British Rally Championship fits the bill perfectly, as like Dulux Trade, the championship revolves around performance under pressure, and has a long history of success.”

The official launch of the 2010 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship will be on the 9th of March at the Dulux Trade headquarters in Slough, ahead of the first round at the end of the month. The sponsorship deal will run for two years and the British Rally Championship reserves an option to continue beyond that period.

2010 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship calendar:

27 March – International Bulldog Rally North Wales – Welshpool, North Wales
23/24 April – Pirelli International Rally – Carlisle, Cumbria
28/29 May – Jim Clark International Rally – Duns, Scottish Borders
8/9 July – International Rally Isle of Man – Douglas, Isle of Man
20/21 August – International Rally NI – Antrim, Northern Ireland
24/25 September – International Rally Yorkshire – Scarborough

For more information on the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk

Swansea teenager Tom Watson enjoyed a strong run on his first ever BTRDA event when the former Motor cross rider brought his TRT Welding Services supported Ford Fiesta ST back to the finish in Chepstow second in class and first Fiesta home.

Watson was using last weekends GMF Motor Factors Wyedean Forest Rally as a warm up for his upcoming season and had to face freezing temperatures and stiff competition, but with new co-driver Paul Morris calling the notes for the first time, the pair tackled the seven stage rally at their own pace and were pleasantly surprised to take a class podium first time out.

A cautious start to the day saw the pair go fourth fastest in class through the opening six miles of Mailscot, before gradually increasing their pace. A front strut was damaged early on when Tom clipped a hole but then discovered that former Fiesta champion Elfyn Evans had hit exactly the same obstacle with identical damage being sustained! With no time to change the damaged strut Watson soldiered on, now balancing mechanical sympathy with raw pace, and returned to Chepstow comfortably second in Class N3.

This is a great start to the year! The conditions were tricky and bending the strut on Stage 2 affected the handling quite a bit, but we finished, which is the main thing! I need to say a massive thanks to Nicky Grist who helped sort my licence out before the start – if it wasn’t for him I would never have even done the rally!

Tom and Paul will be contesting the full Fiesta Sporting Trophy and the British Rally Championship in 2010, and will also compete in a selection of Welsh and BTRDA events as well.

19 year old Tom Watson is eagerly looking forward to his first full season of rallying and plans to use this weekends Wyedean Forest Stages as a shakedown ahead of what will be a very busy year for the Swansea based rally driver.

Watson, who only began competing in February 2009, will contest the MSA Welsh Gravel Championship, the Fiesta Sporting Trophy and the country’s premier series, the 2010 MSA British Rally Championship! On top of this the TRT Welding Service backed driver will also contest a selection of International Rallies in Europe during the year.

The ex Motorcross rider will begin his season with the same Ford Fiesta ST that he used in 2009 but will upgrade to the newer, more nimble Ford Fiesta R2 during the first half of the year. As well as chasing championship points on this weekends event Watson will also use the event to become accustomed to his new co-driver, Paul Morris. Paul has a wealth of experience in Fiestas and it is hoped that the pairing will reap dividends in 2010.

I’m really looking forward to getting back in the rally car, especially if it is going to be icy – the Fiesta is such a well sorted car to drive! I received a bare shell for a new R2 rally car for Christmas and so will start building that in the next few weeks!

I want to use the Wyedean to work on my left foot braking as, having only been rallying for less than a year, this is one area that I know I can still improve in!

The team GMF Wyedean Forest Rally is the opening round of both the BTRDA Rally Series and the MSA Welsh Gravel Championship. The action gets underway from Chepstow Race Course on Saturday 13 February.

Andrew Hockridge’s hopes of another strong finish across the Irish Seas was stymied by a faulty throttle body on last weekends Galway International Rally, the opening round of the 2010 Citroen Racing Trophy, but retiring whilst leading his class was small consolation for the rapid Welshman.

Hockridge and co-driver Darren Garrod were back in action in their Geoff Jones Motorsport run Citroen C2R2 Max for the first time since the Fastnet Rally in October. Despite the lengthy layoff Hockridge was fast out of the blocks, with his Signature Cheese backed Citroen topping the scoreboards even though he thought he’d been too cautious in the foggy conditions!

The positive start to the event soon disappeared though as Hockridge and Garrod came to a halt with a faulty throttle body failing to deliver fuel to the engine. Although the part was easily replaced their rally was over! The pair did return on the Sunday and were once more buoyed by their pace, regularly trading times with the top Citroen runners despite consistently catching slower cars. Hockridge took the decision not to contest the final loop in order to conserve the car.

To lead early on was fantastic, especially considering how tricky the conditions were, but when we came to a halt I was pretty frustrated! The car handled perfectly and the tyres were just awesome! Once again the organisation was great and even though we ended the rally with a DNF we still enjoyed the experience.

Pwllheli based rallying ace Andrew is set to contest this weekends Irish Tarmac Championship season opener, the Galway International Rally, in his Signature Cheese backed Citroen C2R2 Max.

The Welshman has not contested a rally since the Fastnet Rally in October and is looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of his distinctive Geoff Jones Motorsport run pocket rocket. Hockridge has a strong record on the Irish lanes, having stood on the podium on four out of his last five visits and will be aiming to add to his trophy collection this weekend.

It’s been quiet a long break for me recently and so I am really looking forward to getting back in the car this weekend. I love rallying in Ireland , everyone is so friendly and the events are good fun!
My work commitments this year mean I probably won’t be able to commit to any championship campaign but I still hope to pick and mix events throughout the season.

The 2010 Galway International Rally is the opening round of the most prestigious championship in Ireland and as such has drawn a strong list of entries, including no less than fourteen registrations for the Irish Citroen Racing Trophy which boasts an on event prize fund in excess of €7000 per event!

For more information on Andrew please visit www.andrew-hockridge.co.uk
For more information on the rally and for live results visit www.galwayinternationalrally.com

The 2010 Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship gets into full swing this weekend with round one of Ireland’s premier rally series taking competitors to Oranmore, County Galway!

The Safety Direct Galway International Rally is the traditional season opener, and the event has received a top class entry with more than 100 crews set to commence battle on Galway’s challenging closed roads.

The 2010 Citroën Racing Trophy also forms part of the Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, and almost 20 crews have entered the opening round. They will be tussling for prize money totalling almost €20,000!

However, missing from the entry is last year’s Galway winner and reigning champion, Eugene Donnelly. The Maghera man, who holds a record equalling five Irish Tarmac Rally Championship titles, is struggling to put a deal together to contest this year’s series.

“I don’t really know what I’m going to do yet,” Donnelly commented. “I’m not going to Galway but I’ll take stock of things over the next couple of months and see if I can put something together for the Circuit of Ireland. I’d say it’s going to be a difficult year to get something sorted.”

With Donnelly missing from the entry, Gareth MacHale and Brian Murphy are the number one seeds in their Ford Focus WRC. Last year saw MacHale claim his maiden Tarmac Championship victory, and he will be hungry to add more wins to his tally during the 2010 season.

At number two, Tim McNulty and Paul Kiely will provide stiff opposition in their Subaru Impreza WRC, while County Cork’s Keith Cronin, who is the reigning British Rally Champion, also intends to contest this year’s Citroën sponsored series. He starts at number three in Galway, ahead of Aaron MacHale, Patrick Elliott and Kevin Barrett.

Cronin is among the leading lights in Group N, and with bonus championship points up for grabs for all non-World Rally Car entrants, the showroom category might well spring a surprise or two. Kenny McKinstry is the only driver to have sealed the overall honours in a Group N car, and that was back in 1991. Could there be a repeat performance this year?

Cronin will certainly be trying his best, along with fellow Group N contestants Alastair Fisher and Garry Jennings. Meanwhile, Craig Breen will give the Ford Fiesta Super 2000 its competitive debut on Irish soil, and the reigning Fiesta SportTrophy Ireland, UK and International champion could give the series regulars a run for their money.

The Safety Direct Galway International Rally, which also incorporates a round of the Historic Championship and Modified Challenge, gets underway this Friday evening with a ceremonial start in Oranmore. Competitors will tackle stages on Saturday and Sunday, and the winner will be crowned on Sunday afternoon. More details can be found online at www.irishtarmac.com.

2010 Safety Direct Galway International Rally – top 10 entrants

1 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC)
2 Tim McNulty/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC)
3 Keith Cronin/Barry McNulty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
4 Aaron MacHale/TBA (Ford Focus WRC)
5 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
6 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC)
7 Alastair Fisher/Rory Kennedy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
8 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
9 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (Ford Fiesta S2000)
10 Mike Bird/Kevin Keane (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Peter Lloyd rallying has been broken into over weekend taking thousands of pounds worth of gear.

Including
40+ race suits
Peltor helmets
Seats
Escort diffs

Peter is asking if anyone is offered any rallying kit for sale, please could you contact him on 01656 724777

There is REWARD OFFERED!!

MSA Asphalt Rally Challenge incorporating the BTRDA Asphalt Rally Challenge

Championship Website: Asphalt Rally Challenge

Event: Tour of Epynt

Date: 14th March

Location: Epynt Ranges

Website: Tour of Epynt

Event: Manx Trophy

Date: 7 – 8th May

Location: Isle of Man

Event: Jim Clark National Rally

Date: 28 – 29th May

Location: Scottish Borders

Website: Jim Clark

Event: Rally of the Midlands

Date: 18 19th June

Location: Hinckley & Nuneaton

Website: Rally of the Midlands

Event: ALMC (Dublin) Stages Rally

Date: 18th July

Location: Dublin

Website: ALMC Stages

Event: Tyneside Stages

Date: 1st August

Location: Otterburn

Website: Tyneside Stages

Event: Mewla National Rally

Date: 29th August

Location: Epynt Ranges

Website: Mewla National

Event: Patriot Stages

Date: 26th September

Location: Caerwent

Website: Patriot Stages

Event: Cheviot / Keith Knox National

Date: 24th October

Location: Otterburn

Website: Cheviot Stages

BTRDA Gravel championship Calendar

Championship Website: www.btrdarally.co.uk

Event: GMF Motor Factors Wyedean Rally

Date: 13th February

Location: Chepstow

Website: Wyedean Rally

Event: Malcolm Wilson Stages

Date: 6th March

Location: Cockermouth

Website: Malcolm Wilson Rally

Event: Betta Somerset Stages

Date: 24th April

Location: Minehead

Website: Somerset Stages

Event: Lico Wheels Plains Rally

Date: 15th May

Location: Welshpool

Website: Plains Rally

Event: Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally

Date: 12th june

Location: Southwell Racecourse

Website: Dukeries Rally

Event: Quinton Stages rally

Date: 10th July

Location: Llandovery

Website: Quinton Stages

Event: Woodpecker Rally

Date: 4th September

Location: Ludlow

Website: Woodpecker Rally

Event: G.O.N Cambrian Rally

Date: 16th October

Location: Llandudno

Website: Cambrian rally