The organisers of Rally Isle of Man powered by Microgaming, its partner Druidale Motor Club and UK Rally Limited, promoters of the MSA British Rally Championship have announced that the ‘Manx’ will re-join Britain’s pinnacle rally series in 2014.
It means a return to the ultra-challenging closed-roads stages made famous down the events 50 year history for the BRC contenders, bringing the cream of the UK’s rally crews as well as those from further afield to the island next September. This season’s title hunt includes competitors from Norway, Finland and Sweden as well as a strong UK and Irish assault.
The series enjoys official manufacturer involvement from Renault and Citroen, and offers drivers a leg up the international rallying ladder with its Pirelli Star Driver scheme, one of the biggest prizes in world rallying.
Re-joining the series it was last a round of in 2010 will significantly increase the events (and the Isle of Man’s) media reach, with a global audience receiving well established television coverage, and the BRC having its own highly regarded multi-platform media team.
Mark Taylor, Managing Director of UK Rally, says, “Rally Isle of Man has never really fallen off our radar and now with a rejuvenated team at the helm, it has all the ingredients to become an epic event again.”
“New initiatives have reduced the costs, provided direct sailings from Belfast, a Douglas promenade ceremonial start and spectator stage have created something new, enhancing the classic Manx stages that competitors love so much. I am looking forward to working with the new organising team, its partners and the Isle of Man Government in creating a festival of four wheel motorsport.”
“When Mark approached us, the opportunity to bring the highly impressive BRC teams back to our event was just too good to miss”, says John Gill, Chairman of Rally Isle of Man. “We’ve obviously made quite a lot of changes since they last appeared here, and combining the committed driving and close competition of the BRC and Challenge with the Rallee Classicagh and Manx International rallies should ensure that we have something for every rally fan in 2014!”
“With this announcement, the Mintex MSA British Historic Championship confirmed last week, plus the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and our own Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship that this year’s event formed part of, it really is all systems go as we motor into our second half century!”
Also welcoming the news is Laurence Skelly MHK, Member of the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development with responsibility for motorsport. “I am delighted with this excellent news and congratulate the new team at the helm of Rally Isle of Man. Working closely with the Department they have worked tirelessly to raise the profile and maintain high level of professionalism and receiving this invite after their momentous 50th anniversary is richly deserved. I look forward to helping build on this success and welcoming more visitors to our beautiful Island as the 'Manx' Rally regains its respected position within the Championship.”
Rally Isle of Man 2014 will take place from Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th September and form the sixth of seven events in the Championship:
2014 MSA British Rally Championship Calendar*
5/6 April - Rally North Wales
3/4 May - Pirelli Rally
30/31 May - Jim Clark Rally
28 June - Scottish Rally
15/16 August - Rally Northern Ireland
11-13 September - Rally Isle of Man
17/18 October - Rallye Sunseeker
*The 2014 MSA British Rally Championship calendar is subject to final ratification by the sports UK governing body, the Motor Sports Association in the coming weeks.