After making an impression on the Welsh stages in 2024 behind the wheel of his beloved Toyota Starlet, Chris Hand is set to take on his biggest challenge yet; competing for the Probite British Rally Championship National Rally Title this season.
Hand, a well-known figure in clubman rallying circles, has steadily built a reputation for his fearless driving style and giant-killing performances, taking his extraordinary rear-wheel-drive Starlet to several top results, including a top twenty National result at Rali Ceredigion and sixth overall at Pembrey in December.
His journey began in single-venue events, where he consistently punched above his weight against modern machinery in his BMW 318. A win in the lanes near home gave him the coveted Cilwendeg honour, and after a spell in an Escort MK2, a shift to the Starlet came last season along with a fascinating backstory.
“My Father owned the Starlet years ago and I managed to find it and buy it back” he explains.
“I spent a long time restoring it and bringing it back to life and managed to get it to Rali Ceredigion where we won the road rally class in it, which was magical for me really as it was my very first closed road event. I’d done single venues before that and a few gravel events in an Escort, but it was by far the biggest event I’d done so it was nice to see the hard work pay off with a class win”.
After some further upgrades, hand along with co-driver Izzie Holman will contest the BRC National Rally Title, with many new aspects to get stuck into.
“I’d always admired the BRC, and this year seemed the perfect time to have a go,” Hand continues.
“The events work well for me and so much will be new. I’ve never done a gravel recce before, and I’ve never taken the Toyota on gravel so that will be a baptism. But I know it can be done and it’s great to get stuck into a new challenge. I can’t wait”.
Image courtesy of Colin Hughes
