The first day of the Autosport International Show saw the highly anticipated announcement of the Vauxhall Motorsport Junior Rally Team prize winners. After the announcement of the programme at Castle Combe’s RallyDay last September, applications came in thick and fast to apply for the supported drive in the British Rally Championship.
A shortlist was created and a shoot-out was held earlier in the week to find the best two drivers from around the world to drive a pair of R2 Vauxhall ADAM’s. The team along with DMACK ambassador Ari Vatanen announced that Irishman Robert Duggan and Swedish driver Mattias Adielsson would take part in a full season-long campaign in the DMACK Junior BRC.
Robert Duggan from Ireland was delighted to win the drive.
“ I am over the moon with the prize as this is a huge step for my career. I would like to thank Vauxhall, Simon Mauger and his team for the amazing opportunity.
When we first sent in our application we thought it would be great to win, especially with the amount of competition.
“ I have been rallying for three years in Ireland and to compete in the British Championship was the next logical step for us. With the mix of gravel and Tarmac events and International appeal it was definitely the right step especially with the fantastic prize offered by DMACK for the winner at the end of the year. I hope to fight for the prize but it wont be easy.”
Swedish youngster Mattias Adielsson adds the Scandinavian flair into the series.
“I am so happy to be one of the selected drivers for Vauxhall and this amazing opportunity. You always hope you can win but when I heard the announcement I was a little shocked!
“After a few Junior ERC rounds, competing in the full BRC will be an exciting prospect because the Swedes have been before and been successful and I want to bring Sweden back into the British Rally Championship.”
Open to any driver under the age of 26, the DMACK Junior BRC will be a competitive proving ground for crews as they have the chance to tackle some of the best forest stages and Tarmac tests in the British Isles in FIA-homologated R2 cars. DMACK will supply control tyres for the DMACK Junior BRC series, and the number of tyres used per round will be restricted to keep costs to a minimum and to create a level playing field for all competitors in the class.
The revamped series will take in seven events across the British Isles as it tours England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland before culminating on the iconic lanes of the Isle of Man. Asphalt special stages and gravel tests will see the country’s best drivers in the best cars fight for overall supremacy on the best events.
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
