The organisers of the 2016 MSA Asphalt Rally Championship are delighted to announce a full seven-round calendar that not only includes the best sealed surface events the UK currently has to offer, but also takes advantage of the opportunity to sample rallying in the Irish Republic at first-hand.
The Championship begins with the traditional season-opener, Port Talbot Motor Club’s Tour of Epynt, sponsored once again by Melvyn Evans Motorsport. PTMC has recently celebrated its 50th birthday and, indeed, was the first club to run a stage event on the Epynt Military Ranges back in 1966!
Come rain or shine, the closed public roads on the Isle of Man always provide a stern challenge for man/woman-and-machine, and the Manx National Rally gives Championship contenders the opportunity to experience the famous stages for themselves. Similarly, the ALMC Stages Rally gives access to the Irish lanes while, at the same time, basing itself in easy reach of ferries and planes for those requiring a swift return to the mainland.
The first of two trips to the Otterburn Ranges comes with the running of the Tyneside Stages, whilst the Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally sees a return to Epynt. Rejoining the Championship after an absence of a couple of years, the popular Patriot Stages brings the Caerwent Training Area, near Chepstow, back into the fold.
The season reaches its conclusion on the Otterburn Ranges with the running of the Cheviot Keith Knox Stages Rally, winner of the ‘Best Event’ award in the 2014 MSA Asphalt Rally Championship. The timing of any event utilising military ranges is governed by the MoD themselves, but the Cheviot organisers certainly welcome the early October date for 2016!
In the preparation of any such calendar, budget and time-away-from-home are of prime importance. Consequently, with each competitor’s best five scores, from the seven events, to count towards their final tally, it’s still possible – although certainly not as enjoyable! – to contest the minimum number without incurring any ferry costs or air fares.
The calendar in full :
EVENT DATE HOST TOWN
Tour of Epynt 13th March Llandovery
Manx National Rally ** 6th/7th May Douglas
ALMC Stages 3rd July Trim, Co. Meath
Tyneside Stages ** 7th August Otterburn
Mewla Rally ** 28th August Builth Wells
Patriot Stages 25th September Caerwent
Cheviot Keith Knox Stages 9th October Otterburn
Best 5 scores to count ** Rounds of the BTRDA Rally Challenge
As is always the case, the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship caters for all vehicles complying with current MSA Technical Regulations. There are fourteen classes (N1 – B14), plus both front and rear-wheel drive categories and so, as the title suggests, there is ‘Something for Everyone’!….
Regulations for the 2016 MSA Asphalt Rally Championship will be available in the next few weeks, and further information is available from the Coordinator :
Andrew Haill – Tel: 0121 313 1416/E-mail: andrew.haill@btconnect.com
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