Scotland gets 2017 BRC dateposted in BRC10 | 08 | 2016
SCOTLAND WILL HOST one round of the 2017 British Rally Championship, after the new seven-round calendar for the UK’s premier rallying competition was unveiled (Ecurie Ecosse youg guns bag debut GT4 win).
Building on the success of its first season under the guidance of BRC manager, Iain Campbell from Inverness, the 2017 series will include the Dumfries-based RSAC Scottish Rally on May 19/20.
And while the championship — previously won by former world champ Colin McRae — will also include another two rounds in Wales, plus one each in England and Northern Ireland, the season will again conclude with a double points rally on the Isle of Man. But the long Manx event will be split into two legs, with equal points awarded for each.
Notably though, for the first time, the BRC will also include a visit to the legendary Ypres Rally in June for the demanding asphalt roads of northern Belgium.
2017 MSA British Rally Championship Calendar
1. March 4/5: Mid-Wales Stages, Newtown
2. April 29/30: Pirelli Carlisle Rally, Carlisle
3. May 19/20: RSAC Scottish Rally, Dumfries
4. June 23/24: Ypres Rally, Ypres, Belgium
5. July 15/16: Nicky Grist Stages, Builth Wells
6. August 18/19: Ulster Rally, Derry/Londonderry
7. September 14/16: Rally Isle of Man, Douglas
The BRC returned to action this year with a new format based around FIA homologated cars, including R5 and S2000 vehicles. The series also includes Juniors in R2 machinery.
“For its first season, the BRC has been an amazing success,” Campbell, who was previously clerk of the course for RallyScotland, said. “Now we have to take it to the next level.
“We have all learned a huge amount in this first year, including the event organisers who have seen a pace at the front of the field that they have not had to contend with before.
“Having listened to the competitors, teams, events and sponsors, we have a clear understanding of what has worked well this year, but also the increasing expectations and requirements as the championship progresses.
“With the exception of the Circuit of Ireland which will not run next year, all the other events that supported the championship in its first year have been retained.
“Each of them represents a unique challenge and all have their own characteristics, so we will be looking to build on that and work with them next year to make them even stronger.”
As well as confirming the 2017 calendar, organisers have also revealed a change to the points system for next year.
Points will be awarded after each event in line with the FIA’s current regulations – 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 – with the best seven scores from eight point scoring possibilities to count in the final reconciliation.
The BRC Joker that was introduced this year will remain in place, but will be worth fewer points.
If a driver plays the joker and wins the event, they will receive an additional 5 points, if they come second they will receive 4 points, down to fifth place which will yield just one additional point.
Related: Bogie cruelly denied Scottish Rally podium
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/Scotcars
Jim McGill