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Event News
Circuit Of Ireland News
 The
Circuit of Ireland Rally, the second oldest rally in the world is steeped in
history and many epic battles can be recounted after almost 80 years of
rallying on the Emerald Isle. Originally known as the Ulster Motor
Rally, the event was first organised in 1931. During those early days, it
was run from multiple starting points, similar to the Monte Carlo Rally.
Over the years, the event expanded and eventually transformed into a true
'circuit' of Ireland. The changes saw a new name for the event - Circuit of
Ireland Rally - and competitors tackled more than 1000 stage miles around
the island, in what was a five-day marathon rally organised by the Ulster
Automobile Club. During those golden years, the event was the longest
tarmac rally in the world, and attracted many world famous names to Irish
shores. The likes of Colin McRae, Hannu Mikkola and Henri Toivonen are just
a few select names that have graced the 'Circuit' stages.
Of course, there were also the likes of British stars, such as Russell
Brookes and Jimmy McRae, who contested the event when it was a round of the
British Rally Championship. In fact, McRae still holds the honour of being
the most successful driver to contest the 'Circuit', with seven victories to
his name.
Modern day rallying requires shorter, more compact events, and the 'Circuit'
has moved with the times. The event now runs with a compact two-day format,
but has retained its prestigious name and remains as a tough challenge for
competitors.
Entries are now open for this years exciting Circuit of Ireland Rally.
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Gwyndaf For Legend Boucles De Spa
So, after being beguiled and confused by the hints dropped over the last
couple of weeks on the official Boucles De Spa Facebook site as to the
identity of their 'mystery' driver... "He
has participated in over 30
WRC
events"; "His
first name is a good score
in Scrabble";
"He was
a bus driver"...
It's finally official that Gwyndaf Evans, twice winner of the Roger
Albert Clark Rally will be competing in Spa this weekend at the wheel of
an ex-works Group B Mazda RX-7. Gwyndaf was seen testing the car last
week ahead of the event and was reported to have been impressed with the
speed and front-end grip compared to his normal historic mount.
What we want to know is whether Mr Evans can emulate the success of former
Roger Albert and Boucles winner, Stefaan Stouf by winning both
events within the space of four months. Colin and Nicola Heppenstall
will be there willing him on so let's hope so!
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RAC Rally Comes to Motors TV
I know that many of you have been
asking when this was going to happen. Well, coverage of last
December's superb Roger Albert Clark Rally is set to be shown on
 Motors TV starting on
Friday 24th February with more repeats through
to 8th March.
Once again the Roger Albert
proved to be the toughest of challenges for all the competitors and their
cars with stages being held at night, in sunlight, in rain, snow and on icy
roads. Cameras captured action from all the stages and onboard footage from
several competitors also features.
Definitely a program to look
out for as the production is courtesy
of David Winstanley's Rally TV organisation so check the schedules and
make sure you don't miss it.
Provisional Schedule:
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Friday 24 February |
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22:35:00 |
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Saturday 25 February |
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04:37:00 |
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14:13:00 |
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Sunday 26 February |
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17:21:00 |
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23:06:00 |
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Monday 27 February |
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04:37:00 |
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09:02:00 |
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Wednesday 29 February |
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12:39:00 |
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17:21:00 |
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22:35:00 |
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Thursday 1 March |
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01:30:00 |
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Friday 2 March |
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01:44:00 |
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14:13:00 |
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18:23:00 |
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Saturday 3 March |
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03:42:00 |
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Sunday 4 March |
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13:11:00 |
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Monday 5 March |
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01:13:00 |
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Thursday 8 March |
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02:46:00 |
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Legend Boucles De Spa Gears Up
The 2012 Legend Boucles De Spa Historic Rally is almost upon us.
Things get under way on Friday 17th February, between 11:00 and 22:00, with
scrutineering under a giant marquee in Place Royale, Spa.
The next morning cars begin the reconnaissance run from 09:00 with
further scrutineering opportunities until 16:00. The first car leaves the
official start from Place Royale in Spa on Friday evening at 18:30 and
finishes back in town at 21:30.
Day 2 begins from 09:30 when both classes, Legend and Classic depart at
the same time, arriving back the same night from 23:15. Results will be
posted at 10:00 Sunday with the prize-giving taking place at 11:30 at Petit
Theatre Casino de Spa, Rue Servais.
 The
event itself is a succession of regularity tests on closed roads over the
very famous route with control posts at "historical" places of the Boucles
De Spa.
As u sual, the event has
a solid entry list and worth looking out for will be Björn Waldegard/
Stephane Prevot in a Ferrari 308 GTB and of course Stefann Stouf/Joris Erard
(pictured at last year's event)
However, as yet it doesn't look as if
Tim Pearcey / Neil Shanks have taken up their entry which they were awarded
for their second place on the 2011 Roger Albert Clark Rally although
there is yet time for their names to appear. There are also an astonishing
further 150 cars of all types making up the Classic category.
The Legend Boucles De Spa Rally is organised by the Royal Automobile
Club de Spa with rally headquarters and servicing taking place in the
historic town of Spa located in the Ardennes Region of Belgium.
The town of Spa boosts a funicular railway that takes you from the town
centre to the thermal baths, but you are more likely as Motorsport
enthusiasts to think Spa for the Formula I circuit at
Spa-Francorchamps just a few miles
out of town. For the historians amongst you Spa is rich in World War II
military history the region of the
Battle of the Bulge.
We recommend this event highly. If you can make it then this is a must
for any rally fan, but wrap up warm as it looks as if it will be cold.
For full information on Legend Boucles de Spa go to:
www.race-rally.be
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Ireland Focus on Sol Rally Barbados
 Seven
crews with Irish connections, including two new to the event, are among the
21 International entries already received for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June
9/10) through the event’s official web site,
www.rallybarbados.bb
. . . and the organising Barbados Rally Club (BRC) has thanked
the media for the part it plays in spreading the word.
The latest newcomers confirmed for the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor
sport international are Raymond Conlon and Darren McCague from County
Monaghan in the Irish Border Region. Their 270 horsepower 2-litre Conlon
Travel Toyota Corolla, prepared by KMS Motorsport and Powertune, is entered
in the BRC’s SuperModified 10 category.
Conlon started competing – in a standard production 1600cc Corolla – almost
as soon as he was old enough to hold a driving licence. He won the Junior
Event at the Killarney Rally of the Lakes in 2005, with four out of five
stage wins, and is now a regular overall top 10 finisher and class-winner in
events north and south of the border.
His best finishes include third overall, with the class win, on the
toddsleap.com Ulster National Rally in 2008, a result repeated on the UTV
Drive Circuit of Ireland National Rally in 2010. After more than two hours
of stage time, Conlon finished just 20 seconds adrift of Emma McKinstry’s
Subaru Impreza WRC and 26 seconds behind winner John Waring’s Ford Escort
MkII . . . a result that would have been very different but for a 30-second
road penalty Conlon and McCague had incurred early in the day.
Although this will be the crew’s debut in Barbados, they are already
familiar with the event, having seen the TV coverage aired in recent years
in Ireland, where the monthly Pacenotes Rally Magazine is also a popular
read. Last year, in conjunction with the private sector Tourism Development
Corporation in Barbados and the BRC, Pacenotes ran a hugely successful
competition with a prize trip for two readers to Sol RB11. Details of its
2012 promotion will be announced shortly.
Sol RB12 Chairman Barry Gale said: “There is little doubt that the major
increase in media coverage we have enjoyed over the past couple of years has
helped our cause enormously, especially in these difficult times . . . and
Pacenotes has certainly played its part in keeping our event at the
forefront of competitors’ minds.”
Among those confirmed for Sol RB12 are popular Celtic entertainers,
Ballyclare’s Glenn Campbell in his Nissan Micra Kit Car and Allan Mackay
from Brora in the north of Scotland, whose unique Ford Anglia WRC is
prepared by Mark Greer Motorsport in Northern Ireland, where Mackay’s
co-driver for the event, Mo Downey, is also based. The current Sol RB12
entry list can be found on the official web site,
www.rallybarbados.bb (under the
Competitor drawdown), although some names are withheld for promotional
purposes.
Image Copyright 2011 The Barbados Rally Club, All Rights Reserved
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A Saab of Hope
 After
a mighty run on the 2011 Roger Albert Clark Rally, Colin Hope and Nick
Patrick are now aiming to do even better in 2012 with their Saab 96 V4.
Against many more powerful cars, the crew finished 13th overall last
December but now reckon that a top 10 finish would be a dream result.
“We have a Proton as well and did the Roger Albert in it and enjoyed it,”
said Yorkshire-based Hope. “But we decided to build the Saab with the insane
plan of trying to beat some of the Escorts. That was the idea and it’s been
good fun along the way.”
Hope started rallying as a teenager, with a Saab of course, and was only
tempted out of retirement a decade ago by Patrick, a long-time friend and
near neighbour in the village of Great Heck. “We prepare the car together
and it is a joint hobby.
“We started building the Saab in June 2010 and got it on the rolling road
on the Thursday night before the Roger Albert. That was the first time we
drove it. It then sat in the garage all year and we didn’t use it at all
until the 2011 R.A.C. We had what we thought was a pretty good result in an
underpowered car. We’ve got about 140bhp, which is a lot less than the
Pinto-Escorts in the C3 class. We’re giving away quite a lot.
“We did the event on one set of tyres, we didn’t change brake pads and we
didn’t change anything on the car, but still managed 13th overall and it
wasn’t just because other people had dropped out. We had some pretty good
stage times. To finish the RAC is fantastic and to finish among the quicker
cars was a real bonus.”
By any measure this is small team, with Brian McGuinness spearheading the
support crew ably assisted by the wives of Colin and Nick. Now, they are
already laying plans for the 2012 Roger Albert Clark Rally. “The top 10 is a
bit of a dream but that’s what we’d like to do. It’ll be tough!”
Reporting
and image courtesy of
Paul Lawrence, e-mail:
paul@tfmmedia.com
or Tel: 01952 510382
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RAC Rally On Tour
 The
organisers of the Roger Albert Clark Rally are sorry to disappoint
those of you who were hoping to visit us at Autosport International this
week. Unfortunately we are unable to attend the show this year but the good
news is that we will have a stand at Race Retro next month.
Race Retro, Europe's premier International Historic Motorsport Show, will be
celebrating the Porsche marque and highlighting thirty years of the Group C
Porsche 956/962 as well as the hugely popular Live Action Rally Stage when
the show returns to Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, from 24-26 February 2012.
The Rally Stage moves much closer to the exhibition halls this year with
improved visitor viewing. Visitors on Saturday and Sunday will be treated to
a view of Rallying with Rally Icons, both cars and drivers, such as the
Aston Martin V8 Rally GT, ex-works Audi quattros, Ford RS200, MG 6R4, Lancia
037, Peugeot 205T16, Porsche RSR supported by Stratos, Rover V8 SD1, Manta
400, TR7V8, and of course the Rothmans Escort, all the genuine article from
Rallying's illustrious past.
The full range of ex Russell Brookes 'Andrews Heat for Hire' cars all
appearing in the hands of the ever popular British rallying maestro. Also
included is an invited selection of the most dramatic rally 'specials' from
the British rally championships.
For fans who were hoping to spend their Christmas money with us at Autosport,
may we remind you that the official RAC 2011 DVD is now on sale through
David Winstanley's Rally TV website which can be accessed
here. We will of course be showing
the DVD and will have copies on sale at Race Retro. See you there we
hope!
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HRCR Open Day Saturday 14th January
 The
annual Historic Rally Car Register Open Day at Gaydon has become an
important feature in the UK classic rallying calendar and 2012 will be no
exception.
The HRCR Championships will launch their 2012 season and organisers of the
various championship events will be in attendance. Scenic Tour organisers
will also be on hand to promote their events. Both CRA and HERO have
again taken space as well as other commercial specialist suppliers to the
Historic Rally movement. As well as it being a great opportunity to talk to
championship co-ordinators and rally organisers of all the major road
rallies and marathons there will be many 'retail opportunities' on the
accompanying stands.
Members of the Roger Albert Clark Rally team will be visiting the
show and will be happy to talk (endlessly...) about RAC rallies past and
present.
Something to see will be the Saab Historic Rally Team Prize giving
following another successful outing on the 2011 Roger Albert, with
the prizes being presented by Stuart Turner and "a famous Swedish Saab Rally
Driver" at around 12:00.
All happening at the Gaydon Heritage Motor Museum (Birmingham end of the M40
signed from junction 12) and entry to the show is free.
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Stockdale Returns To Sol Rally Barbados 2012
Following the recently announced link between the Roger
Albert Clark Rally and the Sol Rally Barbados we thought you might be
interested to be kept up to date on plans for that event as they unfold so
we will be republishing press releases from Rally Barbados as we receive
them:
Popular British ace Martin Stockdale heads the list of
returning international drivers whose names are among more than 40 entries
so far received via the event’s official web site -
www.rallybarbados.bb - for the 2012 running of
the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international, Sol Rally Barbados
(June 9/10).
Nicknamed ‘Mad-dale’ by island fans for his flamboyant driving style in a
string of BMWs, Stockdale will be making his 12th consecutive appearance in
the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) premier event; his co-driver in the Divi
Southwinds Beach Resort/Drive-a-Matic Car Rentals/Quarry Motors BMW M3
Compact will be Mark Swallow, who will be competing in the island for the
eighth time.
Three times a class-winner in the past decade, Stockdale is entered in the
hotly-contested SuperModified 11 class, in which he finished fourth in 2011
and 18th overall. His opposition will include another returning crew from
Britain, Nigel Worswick and Lindsey Pilkington, who finished 26th overall
and fifth in SM10 on their first visit to the island last year. For 2012,
the Worswick Engineering Ford Escort MkII has received an engine transplant,
moving it up a class.
The rallying careers of both Stockdale and Worswick date back many years,
both of them having entered – and finished – Britain’s round of the World
Rally Championship more than once during the 1990s. At the time, Stockdale
drove an Opel Monza-engined Vauxhall Carlton, unique in British rallying,
while Worswick was more conventional, missing out on a top 10 finish by just
one second in 1996 in a Ford Sierra Cosworth 4 x 4, having finished in the
top seven on the last five of 26 special stages.
Back for his ninth visit is Britain’s Andrew Costin-Hurley, who will again
contest Group B in the Earl’s Performance Hoses Ford Puma, in which he won
the class in Rally Barbados in 2007 & ’08, and in Shell V-Power King of the
Hill in ’09; fellow-Brit Shaun Mellett returns for his third visit as
co-driver since 2009, when he came to celebrate his 25th wedding
anniversary. An experienced Indy car and F1 engineer, Costin-Hurley created
the Puma himself with 300bhp 2-litre turbo, rear-wheel drive, Sierra running
gear and Escort WRC suspension.
Sol Rally Barbados Chairman Barry Gale said: “It is always a pleasure to
welcome our repeat visitors, and ‘Mad-dale’ is right there at the top of the
list, as he hasn’t missed a year since his first visit in 2001. Not only has
he been one of the most entertaining to watch, as our fans really do enjoy a
sideways BMW, but he’s also been very competitive, taking a trophy back on
the plane with him nearly every time.”
Island motor sport celebrates record season
Motor sport in Barbados is in good health, and making a growing contribution
to the island’s sports-tourism product. Last year, for the first time since
the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) was established in 2000, more than
400 local competitors took part in BMF-sanctioned events, a total boosted to
nearly 500 by a record number of overseas competitors, bringing with them
worldwide publicity and valuable foreign exchange.
Affiliated to the FIA, which rules the sport worldwide, the BMF is the
island’s governing body for motor sport; it also represents the interests of
its six sporting member clubs in discussions with Government departments
which facilitate the sport in the island, in particular the Ministry of
Public Works and Transport.
Announcing the provisional calendar for 2012, which ratified the
already-published dates for Sol RB12 and its associated events, BMF
President Andrew Mallalieu noted: “Despite the prevailing financial climate,
interest in motor sport from participants and spectators alike continues to
rise. For the last two years, Barbados has hosted three International motor
sport events, which not only help motor sport make an important contribution
to the island’s economy, much of it in valuable foreign exchange, but are
also the key to massively-increased worldwide television coverage.”
The BMF issued 415 competition licences, nearly three times the total issued
in 2011 by Jamaica’s governing body, the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC),
and more than twice the number issued by the BMF in 2006. The record total
of 85 overseas competitors – the previous highest was 81 in 2007 – included
25 from the wider Caribbean and 60 from 12 more countries as far afield as
Australia and South Africa.
Sol Rally Barbados and Shell V-Power King of the Hill are organised by the
Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; Sol RB12
is the 23rd running of the Club’s annual International All-Stage Rally and
marks the fifth year of title sponsorship by the Sol Group, the Caribbean’s
largest independent oil company.
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RAC Rally now has photobucket picture gallery
 During
the 2011 Roger Albert Clark Rally we asked for photos from
enthusiasts out on the stages. We were bowled over by the response but ran
out of time during the event to get them posted on the website. WE apologise
for that but just so that you know that your efforts are appreciated we have
now created an RAC Rally photobucket page and if you sent us photos that's
where they now are! Thank you all again for your pictures and please take a
look:
http://bit.ly/uGBFG5
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Another Wonderful Year
Colin Heppenstall, Rally Manager of
the Roger Albert Clark Rally and the driving force behind the
event since its inception in 2004 talks to Paul Lawrence about his
hands-on approach to running this rally and the once in a decade
snowfall that we had in 2010. Listen to the interview by clicking
here.
Reporting
and image courtesy of
Paul Lawrence, e-mail:
paul@tfmmedia.com
or Tel: 01952 510382
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Quite a result!
At the prizegiving at Carlisle, Paul
Lawrence caught up with Tim Pearcey, the man who won through on the
final day of the 2011 Roger Albert Clark Rally to wrest position
from hard charging David Stokes to take second overall behind the
seemingly unstoppable Gwyndaf Evans. Hear what Tim had to say
about his podium placing by clicking
here.
Reporting
and image courtesy of
Paul Lawrence, e-mail:
paul@tfmmedia.com
or Tel: 01952 510382
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A Little bit Scary...
 Noisy,
big, beautiful, a little bit scary, exciting, exhilarating, exhausting,
bad for your complexion and fast. That's what Jim Valentine, leader of
the Saab Historic Rally Team thinks of the Roger Albert Clark Rally.
"There’s usually snow, there will be teasing, there may be tears, there
may be victory, there may be talent and no talent, there may be repairs
and there may be recoveries. Service might be in a big puddle but there
will be delicious dinners, there will be divine homebakes, and there
will be delays - Oh, and we may damage stuff " Jim says in his
invitation for new members to come and join him and the team for next
year.
Next year the team will celebrate 50 years since Erik Carlsson’s 1962
hattrick of wins on the RAC rally - an accomplishment that no one would
repeat for a decade. Jim also hopes to build on the astonishing momentum
the Saab Historic Rally Team achieved this year - with an across the
board set of strong performances matched with some significant results.
Building on this year’s great success Jim is looking for ten cars to
compete on next year’s event. He says "we made a big impact this year
with Saabs one in every ten cars on the rally. That they all did well
shows how the team helps all the competitors to go faster".
Jim has ensured that the
team provides a huge amount of logistical support for entries and 2012 will
see a rally forum, celebrity guests, and team livery within the team
entry cost. Jim isd convinced that there will never be a better opportunity
than next year to compete in the Roger Albert Clark Rally in a Saab,
and if you are serious, competitors will have to start preparing by the
March deadline. Jim promises that for those taking on the challenge a warm
welcome to the team and unique experiences await your involvement.
If you're interested in
becoming part of tthe Saab Historic Rally Team then contact Jim at
xandj@btinternet.com
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Previous News Items for 2011 Now Archived
Please
note that all previous news items pertaining to the 2011 Roger Albert Clark Rally
have now been archived as we move forward with the organisation of the
2102 event. This hasn't disappeared however and can still be found
by following the links to 'Archive' and following the '2011'
links. Alternatively just click
here.
Information on all past events can be found under the
'Archive'
tab in the menu bar below the banner on each page of this site.
For more
information on the
Roger Albert Clark Rally 2012 and its support
events please keep watching this website
www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org
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