The MSA British Rally Championship today (10 August) confirmed its proposed calendar for the 2017 season. Building on the extraordinary success of its first season back, next year’s BRC will further underline its standing as the premier domestic rally championship in the world.
With seven rounds in six territories, the 2017 BRC will traverse the United Kingdom with two rounds in Wales and one each in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland – all of which featured on this year’s calendar. 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. In keeping with the BRC’s international pedigree, the championship will reach overseas audiences with a visit to the legendary Ypres Rally in June for the demanding asphalt roads of northern Belgium.
The BRC returned to action this year with a new format based around FIA homologated cars. No fewer than 23 R5 and S2000 vehicles registered for the series, as well as 16 Juniors in R2 machinery – making the British championship the sternest possible test for both aspiring young drivers and would-be WRC stars of the future. This year’s BRC champions will have earned their place in the history books alongside names such as Vatanen, Burns, McRae, Mikkola and Blomqvist.
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.
2017 MSA British Rally Championship Calendar*
4/5 March Mid-Wales Stages, Newtown
29/30 April Pirelli Carlisle Rally, Carlisle
19/20 May RSAC Scottish Rally, Dumfries
23/24 June Ypres Rally, Ypres, Belgium
15/16 July Nicky Grist Stages, Builth Wells
18/19 August Ulster Rally, Derry/Londonderry
14/16 September Rally Isle of Man, Douglas
IMS Managing Director Ben Taylor
“This has been an incredible first year for the championship. To have such a great response to the new BRC was overwhelming and I would like to thank everyone that has worked so hard to make the vision a reality. We know that we still have a lot of work to do and our aim is to build on what has been achieved so far in order to make the BRC better in every department.
“We have some exciting plans that should come to fruition in the next six months, but getting out the calendar in good time gives everyone the chance to make plans for next year.
“We were sorry to lose the Circuit, but I am absolutely delighted that we are able to add Ypres to the BRC calendar for next year. Not only is it an exciting prospect for the competitors who get to take on a legendary event, but for the BRC it demonstrates an increasingly international perspective as we strive to create the best possible series for drivers from around the world.”
BRC Championship Manager Iain Campbell
“For its first season, the BRC has been an amazing success; 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.”
Keep tabs on all the latest BRC developments by visiting www.msabrc.com or following us on social media: MSA British Rally Championship on Facebook and @MSA_BRC on Twitter using #BRC
*Calendar subject to approval by the MSA
