Update

racer69 · 4 Feb 2002, 12:01

So what is happening this year. Is the focus on Super 1600, WRCars or both, and who is competing in the series. How many WRCars will be in the championship, and will the cars from the Irish Tarmac Championship be able to join rallies like the Ulster, Manx and Jim Clark Memorial. Mark Higgins was menat to rally last year in a factory Focus, will he be back this year, and what about Ipatti's Hyundai Accent WRC.

SJ Spode · 5 Feb 2002, 12:47

The Championship will consist of the following events

Pirelli International Rally 26-28 April Gateshead
Rally of Wales 17-18 May Wrexham
Scottish International Rally 8-9 June Dumfries
Jim Clark Memorial Rally 12-13 July Edinburgh
Manx International Rally 1-3 August Douglas, IOM
The Ulster Rally 6-7 September Belfast
Trackrod Rally Yorkshire 28-29 September York

There are two main categories for the Championship.
Category 1600 : 6 classes of competition, including one for 2001 spec Super 1600, and one for 2002 spec S1600.
Category Open : 4 classes for Group N and Group A cars, including one which permits WRC cars.

Alongside the Championship will run the Peugeot 206 Super Cup, the Ford Ka/Puma, and the VW Polo competitions. The Irish Tarmac competitors will join for the Jim Clark, Manx, & Ulster rounds (part of their 8 rounds)

As for teams / drivers involvement, things seem unclear as yet. I believe that Ford will not be running a works WRC Focus, and that Mark Higgins is in discussion about driving for Subaru in the US. The foot & mouth problems + Ford's decision to pull out of the Network Q must have made 2001 such a tough year for Higgins.

There's more details on the Championship at www.motorsport.co.uk/brcnews.html

Alpina · 11 Feb 2002, 05:25

The Jim Clark is based in Duns not Edinburgh. It is a fantastic spectator event on closed public roads. Be there or miss the best rally on mainland Britain.