The all-new Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK, a manufacturer-supported series for the Peugeot 208 Rally4 or Opel Corsa Rally4, will join the Probite British Rally Championship for four rounds of the series in 2024.
The exciting new Cup will see crews battle for a €75,000 prize fund and a supported drive in the 2025 FIA Junior European Rally Championship [Junior ERC] for the leading young driver. The prize is likely to attract a host of crews to the Junior BRC this season, and it is likely that the Junior BRC champion could well come from the rapid chargers.
Consisting of eight rounds during the season, it will tackle four rounds of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, and four rounds of the BRC offering, top-drawer gravel and asphalt events.
Open to all ages, the Cup will offer €6,000 of prize money in each round, with €3,000 going to the highest-placed competitor in every event. The second place receives €1,750, third €750, fourth €500 and fifth receives one tyre from control tyre provider Michelin.
The Cup begins in Ireland but will head to the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages in April for the world-famous gravel in Hafren and Myherin, before heading to the Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally in August for the popular and super-fast Scottish tests.
A visit to the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion in September allows them to sample a flavour of the European Rally Championship before the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally brings the curtain down on the season in October as crews face the famous Wales Rally GB stages to potentially decide the title.
Raymond Moore, Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK registrar is delighted to finally unveil the series and open registrations for the 2024 campaign.
“I’m very excited to finally release the championship regulations and declare registrations open for the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK,” he says.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work over the past six months or so behind the scenes to make this happen, but thanks to the support of Stellantis Motorsport, Michelin, Protyre Motorsport Ireland and Race & Rally, we have been able to get this over the line.”
“Both Ireland and the UK have been missing this kind of series which welcomes all drivers but also offers the progressive youngster an opportunity to further their careers. The Junior ERC is highly competitive and the perfect proving ground, so it made total sense to construct a calendar which offers the best events on both sides of the water, ensuring they are as ready as possible to take their careers to the next level.
“Interest has already been high, and we have talked to an encouraging number of crews who want to join us. Of course, we welcome anyone interested in taking part and we can always assist in locating Peugeot 208 or Corsa Rally4’s for the series.”
“I look forward to seeing everyone in Cork in March, it will be a very exciting moment to see the series finally get off the ground”.
Reece Tarren, British Rally Championship Manager is delighted to welcome contenders to the BRC.
“Rally4 machinery has proved to be a fantastic proposition for drivers both young and old and over the years, the Junior BRC has shown time and time again how competitive the category is,” he says.
“It’s great to see the momentum building with this all-new Cup and we are very happy to welcome them to some of our flagship rounds this season. Competitors will be able to experience both surfaces here in the UK which is very exciting as our calendar is one of our strongest for several years, offering an excellent proving ground for the crews to battle for honours. It also means that if they were to join us for one more round, they could also be British champions, adding a prestigious title to their portfolio.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming crews to Wales in April and I`m sure the pace will be well worth looking out for.”
For more information on the series, https://stellantismotorsportcup.com/
Keep tabs on all the latest BRC developments by visiting www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk or by following us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube using #BRCRally.
