The British Rally Championship (BRC) is a rallying series based in the United Kingdom. The first championship was run in 1958[1] and it has been licensed by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) since 1999. MSA has opted not to run the series in 2015, instead giving its promotion to its own subsidiary, International Motor Sport (IMS) for 2016. Motorsport UK have promoted the BRC and have done since IMS was absorbed into Motorsport UK in 2019.
 Logo from 2024 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Inaugural season | 1958 |
| Drivers | Various |
| Drivers' champion |  Chris Ingram |
| Official website | britishrallychampionship.co.uk/ |
 Current season | |
2024
editFor 2024 the series sees the BRC return to free-to-air terrestrial television in 2024, after signing a multi-year deal with ITV4 and ITVX to broadcast the six-round series across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
An enhanced media package for the UK’s premier rally championship will include a dedicated one-hour highlights show on ITV4 after each round of the series to be broadcast at prime time with further repeat broadcasts and an end of season round-up programme.[2]
Calendar
edit| Round | Rally | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Legend Fires North West Stages | Lancashire, England | 22-23 March |
| Round 2 | Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages | Builth Wells, Wales | 13 April |
| Round 3 | Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally | Duns, Scotland | 24-25 May |
| Round 4 | Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally | Banchory, Scotland | 9-10 August |
| Round 5* | JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion | Aberystwyth, Wales | 30 August - 1 September |
| Round 6 | Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally | Llandudno, Wales | 26 October |
*Two points scoring opportunities on Round 5
Champions
editBritish Rally Championship
edit| Season | Champion | Co-Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Chris Ingram
|
 Alex Kihurani
|
Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 |
| 2023 |  Adrien Fourmaux
|
Alexandre Coria
|
Ford Fiesta Rally2 |
| 2022 | Osian Pryce
|
 Noel O’Sullivan
|
Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 |
| 2021 | Matt Edwards
|
Darren Garrod
|
Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2019 | Matt Edwards
|
Patrick Walsh
|
Ford Fiesta R5 |
| 2018 | Matt Edwards
|
Darren Garrod
|
Ford Fiesta R5 |
| 2017 | Keith Cronin
|
Mikie Galvin
|
Ford Fiesta R5 |
| 2016 | Elfyn Evans
|
Craig Parry
|
Ford Fiesta R5 |
| 2015 | Cancelled due to organisational issues | ||
| 2014 | Daniel McKenna
|
Arthur Kierans
|
Citroen DS3 R3T |
| 2013 |  Jukka Korhonen
|
Marko Salminen
|
Citroen DS3 R3T |
| 2012 | Keith Cronin
|
Marshall Clarke
|
Citroen DS3 R3T |
| 2011 | David Bogie
|
Kevin Rae
|
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX R4 |
| 2010 | Keith Cronin
|
Barry McNulty
|
Subaru Impreza STi N15 |
| 2009 | Keith Cronin
|
Greg Shinnors
|
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX R4 |
| 2008 | Guy Wilks
|
Rory Kennedy*
|
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX R4 |
| 2007 | Guy Wilks
|
Phil Pugh
|
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX R4 |
| 2006 | Mark Higgins
|
Rory Kennedy
|
Subaru Impreza STI N12 R4 |
| 2005 | Mark Higgins
|
Bryan Thomas
|
Ford Focus RS WRC 02 |
| 2004 | David Higgins
|
Brian Murphy*
|
Hyundai Accent WRC Evo 3 |
| 2003 | Jonny Milner
|
Nicky Beech
|
Toyota Corolla WRC |
| 2002 | Jonny Milner
|
Nicky Beech
|
Toyota Corolla WRC |
| 2001 | Cancelled due to foot-and-mouth crisis | ||
| 2000 | Marko Ipatti
|
Bryan Thomas*
|
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI N4 |
| 1999 | Tapio Laukkanen
|
Kaj Lindström
|
Renault Maxi Mégane |
*In 2000, Ipatti used both Kari Kajala and Teppo Leino as co-drivers during the season. Hence, runner-up Mark Higgins' co-driver Bryan Thomas was awarded the co-drivers title. Two similar situations occurred in 2004 & 2008. In 2004 David Higgins used Chris Wood, Craig Thorley & Daniel Barritt as co-drivers during the season. Hence, runner-up Austin MacHale' co-driver Brian Murphy was awarded the co-drivers title. In 2008,Wilks used both Phil Pugh and David Moynihan as co-drivers during the season. Again, runner-up Mark Higgins' co-driver Rory Kennedy was awarded the co-drivers title.
RACMSA British Rally Championship
| Season | Champion | Co-Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Martin Rowe
|
Derek Ringer
|
Renault Mégane Maxi |
| 1997 | Mark Higgins
|
Phil Mills
|
Nissan Sunny GTi |
| 1996 | Gwyndaf Evans
|
Howard Davies
|
Ford Escort RS2000 |
| 1995 | Alister McRae
|
David Senior
|
Nissan Sunny GTi |
| 1994 | Malcolm Wilson
|
Bryan Thomas
|
Ford Escort RS Cosworth |
| 1993 | Richard Burns
|
Robert Reid
|
Subaru Legacy RS |
| 1992 | Colin McRae
|
Derek Ringer
|
Subaru Legacy RS |
| 1991 | Colin McRae
|
Derek Ringer
|
Subaru Legacy RS |
| 1990 | David Llewellin
|
Phil Short
|
Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 |
RACMSA British Open Rally Championship
| Season | Champion | Co-Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | David Llewellin
|
Phil Short
|
Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 |
| 1988 | Jimmy McRae
|
Rob Arthur
|
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth |
| 1987 | Jimmy McRae
|
Ian Grindrod
|
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth |
| 1986 | Mark Lovell
|
Roger Freeman
|
Ford RS200 |
| 1985 | Russell Brookes
|
Mike Broad
|
Opel Manta 400 |
| 1984 | Jimmy McRae
|
Mike Nicholson
|
Opel Manta 400 |
| 1983 |  Stig Blomqvist
|
Björn Cederberg
|
Audi Quattro A2 |
| 1982 | Jimmy McRae
|
Ian Grindrod
|
Opel Ascona 400 |
| 1981 | Jimmy McRae
|
Ian Grindrod
|
Opel Ascona 400 |
| 1980 | Ari Vatanen
|
David Richards
|
Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 1979 | Pentti Airikkala
|
Risto Virtanen
|
Vauxhall Chevette HSR |
| 1978 | Hannu Mikkola
|
Arne Hertz
|
Ford Escort RS1800 |
RAC British Rally Championship
| Season | Champion | Co-Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Russell Brookes
|
John Brown
|
Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 1976 | Ari Vatanen
|
Peter Bryant
|
Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 1975 | Roger Clark
|
Jim Porter
|
Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 1974 | Billy Coleman
|
Dan O'Sullivan
|
Ford Escort RS1600 |
| 1973 | Roger Clark
|
Jim Porter
|
Ford Escort RS1600 |
| 1972 | Roger Clark
|
Jim Porter
|
Ford Escort RS1600 |
| 1971 | Chris Sclater
|
Martin Holmes
|
Ford Escort RS1600 |
| 1970 | Will Sparrow
|
Nigel Raeburn | Mini Cooper S 1275 |
| 1969 | John Bloxham
|
Richard Harper
|
Lancia Fulvia HF/Ford Escort TC |
| 1968 | Colin Malkin
|
John Brown
|
Hillman Rallye Imp |
| 1967 | Jim Bullough
|
Don Barrow
|
Ford Lotus Cortina |
| 1966 | Roy Fidler
|
Alan Taylor | Triumph 2000 |
| 1965 | Roger Clark
|
Jim Porter
|
Ford Cortina |
| 1964 | Eric Jackson
|
Ken Joseph
|
Ford Cortina GT |
| 1963 | Tony Fisher
|
Brian Melia | Mini Cooper |
| 1962 | Tony Fisher
|
Brian Melia | Mini Cooper |
| 1961 | Bill Bengry
|
David Skeffington | Volkswagen 1500 |
| 1960 | Bill Bengry
|
David Skeffington | Volkswagen 1200 |
| 1959 | John Sprinzel
|
Stuart Turner | Austin-Healey Sprite |
| 1958 | Ron Gouldbourn | Stuart Turner | Triumph TR3A |
Multiple wins by individual
edit| Name | Titles | Winning Years | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Jimmy McRae | 5 | 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1988 |
|
|
Roger Clark | 4 | 1965, 1972, 1973, 1975 |
|
|
Keith Cronin | 2009, 2010, 2012, 2017 | |
|
|
Mark Higgins | 3 | 1997, 2005, 2006 |
|
|
Matt Edwards | 2018, 2019, 2021 | |
|
|
Bill Bengry | 2 | 1960, 1961 |
|
|
Tony Fisher | 1962, 1963 | |
|
|
Russell Brookes | 1977, 1985 | |
|
|
Ari Vatanen | 1976, 1980 | |
|
|
David Llewellin | 1989, 1990 | |
|
|
Colin McRae | 1991, 1992 | |
|
|
Johnny Milner | 2002, 2003 | |
|
|
Guy Wilks | 2007, 2008 |
Multiple wins by car manufacturer
edit| Name | Titles | Winning Years | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Ford | 21 | 1964, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1996, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
|
Subaru | 5 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 2006, 2010 |
|
|
Mitsubishi Motors | 5 | 2000, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 |
|
|
British Motor Corporation | 4 | 1959, 1962, 1963, 1970 |
|
Opel | 4 | 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985 |
|
|
Toyota | 5 | 1983,[3] [2] [4] 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003 |
|
|
Citroën | 3 | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
|
|
Volkswagen | 3 | 1960, 1961, 2021 |
|
|
Nissan | 2 | 1995, 1997 |
|
|
Renault | 2 | 1998, 1999 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "British Rally Championship canned for 2015 before '16 MSA relaunch". Kent Sports News. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ a b "1981, 1982 & 1983 Manx Rally". YouTube.
- ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
- ^ "Rothmans Manx Rally".