Jane Evans is to step down as Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship Co-ordinator at the end of the 2021 season, having run the series on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the BTRDA for four years.
The former rally co-driver took over the reins in 2017, and masterminded the return of the series in 2018 after its one-year sabbatical.
With title sponsorship from Protyre, an exciting calendar of events and a new promotional team working under Jane’s leadership, she was able to return the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship to the status of the UK’s premier sealed-surface series.
2020 was to be a record-breaking year, with the largest number of competitors – well in excess of 100 – registering for the Championship before the opening round.
Instead, Jane was left to steady the ship through the Covid-19 crisis – reacting to the many event postponements, cancellations and uncertainties. Despite this, she was still able to create a magnificent calendar of events for 2021, which starts with The Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally on Sunday 29 August. An event that received 100 entries in the first 10 minutes of entries opening!
Jane’s early announcement will give the BTRDA plenty of time to find a replacement, who will take over at a time when a buoyant Championship is entering an even greater phase – with continued support from Protyre, more and more high-quality closed road stage events applying for event permits, an inclusive Championship class structure catering for a wide variety of cars and enthusiastic support from both competitors and fans of asphalt rallying.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working as the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship Co-ordinator for the BTRDA, in what has both been an extremely rewarding and, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, challenging four years,” says Jane.
“When I took over the role, the series was on a sabbatical and resetting itself for the future. It’s now developed into one of the most popular rally championships in the UK, with much loved and established rallies and exciting new closed road events putting asphalt rallying at the top of the agenda.
“I would very much like to continue, but a new job with increased responsibilities, together with the demands of family life, means that I can no longer dedicate the time that being the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship Co-ordinator demands.
“I’d very much like to thank the team of people who have helped me, most notably Wayne Goldring, Phill Bramhill, Mark Sims, Howard Davies and Paul Evans – and to Cerys Cooke for helping me at signing on and at selected events. I also want to thank the BTRDA Rallies Committee, all the competitors and all the event organisers for helping to make the job so enjoyable.
“I am proud to be able to hand over the Championship in very good health. It certainly has a very bright future, and the next few years will in particular, with more and more top quality asphalt rallies being proposed, be a very exciting time for the series.”
The BTRDA is incredibly proud of the work that Jane has done to both run and develop the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship over the last four years.
“Not only has Jane done a fantastic job, but it has been a pleasure to have her on board,” says Mike Broad, President of the BTRDA.
“Jane successfully guided the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship out of its one year sabbatical and has built it into an incredibly strong series – attracting a large number of top competitors with an exciting calendar of events and rewards, prizes and incentives right across the class structure. We appreciate all her hard work, professionalism and dedication – and she leaves the Championship in a very healthy and buoyant state.
“We’d like to congratulate Jane on her work promotion and wish her all the very best for the future.”
Jason Pritchard won back-to-back Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship driver titles in 2018 and 2019 in his North Road Garage Ford Focus WRC05, and is also full of praise for Jane.
“I’d personally like to thank Jane for all the hard work and long hours that she has put in behind the scenes to make the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship what it is today – it’s a credit to her,” says Jason.
“Every year she has added something new. She’s not just sat there and given us the same events year on year. As a competitor it’s nice to have new challenges, and she has given us this.
“It’s always a pleasure turning up to a round of the Championship. Jane’s not just the co-ordinator but a friend too. We go away rallying to relax and have fun, and she makes sure we all do this.
“The rewards and sponsors Jane has brought to the Championship are extremely attractive to anyone in any class, which means that we can all win something. There are not many championships with prizes on offer like she’s managed to get for each class.
“We will certainly miss Jane in the Championship, and whoever takes on the job has some big boots to fill.
“Thank you very much Jane for everything you’ve done for us and the sport over the past four years.”
The BTRDA has started its search for a new Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship Co-ordinator, and anyone interested in the role should contact
Mike Broad (mike.broad@live.co.uk / 07785 355607).
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