BRC: NEW SEASON, NEW RULES

It’s the dawn of a new era for the MSA British Rally Championship this weekend. Gone are the four-wheel-drive cars that have dominated top-level rallying for so long, to make way for a field of state-of-the-art two-wheel-drive machines that are driven by competitors determined to make a name for themselves in the sport.

Two-wheel-drive cars are now able to challenge for the coveted British title, in a move that is entirely in-step with current trends: establishing a cheaper cost of entry in these difficult economic times, together with a reflection of what people are actually driving today. And, with the cars’ performance more equal within the classes, the competition is going to be closer than ever.

This weekend’s BRC opener – the Rallye Sunseeker International - represents the first of the six-round championship that includes four gravel and two asphalt rallies – all of them top quality events and each with their own distinctive character. Although it’s only its second year in the UK ‘s premier rally championship, the event is certainly worthy of its inclusion: with its unique forest stages in Hampshire and Dorset, coupled with an incredibly high profile status - assets that saw the event win last year’s BRC Rally of the Year award.

The entry list sees a line-up of crews from previous years combined with a number of fresh faces making their British Rally Championship debut, with the average driver age of just 23. Therefore, organisers are confident that the BRC is achieving what it has set out to do - and that’s develop up-and-coming youngsters into future champions.

For decades, the BRC has been viewed as the world’s leading domestic rally championship and, to emphasise its international appeal, it continues to attract competitors from overseas. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are a number of drivers from Scandinavia who will be gracing our shores this season and entertaining onlookers with their distinctive style of driving. However, they will have to call on their native skills if they want to beat the new breed of young Brits, many of whom have already proved their potential in the UK - and beyond.

The Rallye Sunseeker International commences with a ceremonial start on Poole Quay on Friday evening. And, if previous years are anything to go by, the spectator numbers are likely to run into the 1000s. The action gets underway on Saturday morning and sees 12 stages totalling 65 competitive miles in Ringwood and Wareham forests, with the finish scheduled from 17.45 at Bournemouth Pier.

MSA BRITISH MANUFACTURERS CHAMPIONSHIP

The MSA British Manufacturers Championship title will be fought out this season by privateer teams scoring points for the marque of car in which they drive. With most brands currently having homologated two wheel drive cars, this re-introduced category allows registered manufacturers and UK importers to become British Champions.

Renault UK returns to the BRC for the first time since taking the manufacturer’s title in 1998 and 1999. And, as recently announced, organisers are delighted to confirm that Citroen UK has also registered for this season.

MSA BRITISH JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Underlining the BRC’s commitment in rewarding its rising stars, a new-look Junior Championship has been introduced, which is open to drivers of 23 and under in Class 10 (R1) cars. This initiative sees the winner recognised with the title of MSA British Junior Champion.

PIRELLI STAR DRIVER

The Pirelli Star Driver competition will again see a winner selected from each round of the 2012 calendar. They will then go forward to an end-of-season shootout to win a Pirelli funded prize to help with their progression in the sport.

Jukka Korhonen won a Pirelli Star Driver nomination following his performance on last year’s Pirelli Rally and then went on to win the end-of-season shoot-out. His reward: a fully supported drive in a Pirelli TEG Sport-run Škoda Fabia in this year’s BRC.

BRC TEAMS CUP

The new BRC Teams Cup is aimed at professional motorsport teams running up to two cars. Drivers will be pre-nominated, but can change from event-to-event. All six rounds count towards the final Championship classification, but only the highest placed team crew scores. This year’s teams include: Ford Junior Team Finland, Millers Oils 586 Team, AVS Motorsport, Pirelli TEG Sport and M-Sport Ford.

BRC ONE MAKE SERIES:

FIESTA SPORTTROPHY

The Fiesta SportTrophy returns to the BRC for a fourth year, with Class 6 & 10 (R2 & R1) cars and the previous model ST (running all on its own in Class 8), which are all eligible to score points and win prize money - as well as the end-of-season winner getting an opportunity to test a Fiesta WRC car. www.fiestasporttrophy.co.uk

TWINGO RENAULTSPORT TROPHY UK

2012 marks the introduction of the Twingo Renaultsport UK Trophies, these two manufacturer-backed series’ providing a clear progression from the entry-level Class 10 (R1) through to the high-revving cars of Class 6 (R2). The winner from each series will be awarded a prize-drive on the final round of the French Rally Championship. www.renaultsport.co.uk

CITROËN RACING TROPHY

The BRC’s string of one-make series’ is bolstered once again by the Citroën Racing Trophy, with the C2R2 Max and front-running Citroën DS3 eligible to score points this season. www.citroenracingtrophy.com/uk

Rallye Sunseeker International entry list HERE

For more information on the MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk