Two-time Motorsport UK National Rally Champion Alan Carmichael will be aiming for the Probite British Rally Championship title this season, as he signs up to the BRC1 top-flight behind the wheel of his new Hyundai i20 N Rally2.
The Northern Irishman secured back-to-back National Title crowns in his older specification Hyundai, electing to run the i20 with a larger turbo restrictor due to his rallying commitments outside of the BRC.
Despite only contesting five BRC rounds last season, wins came at the Jim Clark, Trackrod Rally Yorkshire and the double-point scoring Cambrian Rally, giving him and co-driver Claire Williams the crown.
After acquiring his new i20 N Rally2 last season, its left-hand drive format proved to be tricky to master, so was parked up for the remainder of the season after a trying debut at Rali Ceredigion.
Now, after being re-worked to right-hand-drive, Carmichael is ready for an assault on the BRC1 class and is looking forward to the season ahead.
“I`m really excited to be back once again this season and eager to get to grips with the new i20 N Rally2” he says.
“It wasn’t easy jumping straight in at Rali Ceredigion so now its converted to right hand drive I`ll feel a lot more comfortable. The championship feels like it has had a real shot in the arm this season and its great to be part of it again”.
With an impressive list of Rally2 contenders set to battle for honours, Carmichael is remaining buoyant about his chances, after a successful two seasons behind the wheel both in and out of the BRC.
“I think I will do quite well on the gravel rounds as I have had a lot of success on other [non-BRC] events last year with my first ever overall win on gravel at Greystoke and three runners-up spots, at Malton, Rally North Wales and the Riponian. Third overall at the Galloway Hills was also a good result so the confidence is there.
The new BRC calendar looks really good. It’s going to be hard work for the teams changing back and forward from tar to gravel, but I think that will keep the competition alive due to people like me, who will do better on one surface than the other, plus the TV deal will put us on the map for rallying in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
“I would like to thank Hireco for their support for the last three years, without them I wouldn’t be able to do as much rallying as I do”.
