Reigning Academy Trophy Champion Kyle McBride will step up to the Junior British Rally Championship this season, making the most of his free entries to each one of the seven rounds in the calendar.
McBride, 19 from County Donegal, will drive a Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy backed Ford Fiesta Rally4 and will bid for one of the closest fought titles in the championship.
The youngster endured a mixed debut season in the BRC in 2022. Impressive pace was coupled with some misfortune behind the wheel of his Fiesta R2T, but the change of car and category doesn’t seem to faze the Irishman.
“It will slightly be different for sure, as I am moving up a class and I will be driving a different car this year so it will take a little bit of time to get used to it” he says.
“But I can’t wait to get going it’s just a unbelievable opportunity at the age of 19 to be getting a chance like this. I am a lucky boy!
His motorsport journey started at the age of thirteen in a Nissan Micra before his debut season in the J1000 Irish Forest Rally Championship, taking the title.
A Honda Civic came next to hone his skills, before moving into the Fiesta at the end of 2021. He took the car to the BRC Academy Trophy title and the Motorsport Ireland dual surface championship last season.
“It was a dream come true at the age of eighteen to get the opportunity to drive a fiesta R2T in Ireland and the British Rally championship. Getting to drive on some of the most iconic stages. “
“I think it’s [the BRC] a great platform for progressing as a young driver, as the pace is mega on each event. And, I think the stages are extremely cool and challenging, it’s great to be able to do this championship as the level of competition is very high.”
“My aim this season is to learn as much as I can, finish every event and gain maximum kilometres on each event. [I’ll try to] Make the most out of the opportunity I have received, work well with my team and navigator, and put all the work in to give me the best chance possible. A massive thanks must go to my father and my family, team, sponsors, friends, and each single person who has helped me in any way to get here.”
“I hope to be there or there abouts for sure!”
