PBRC Live 2003 review. Story and images provided by RallyingOnline.com. 02 March 2003
Nuneaton was the scene of "PBRC Live", an idea to bring the British Rally Championship to the people, and to promote the series that starts later this month with the Rally of Wales in Wrexham.
Last year's shakedown event took place at popular rally venue Sweet Lamb, and it was decided that this year's event should be held somewhere that would enhance awareness of the sport to a broader spectrum of people. It took a while to organise, and the venue of Bermuda Industrial Estate was chosen. The spectators flocked to the event in their thousands, and it was clear that it was not only seasoned spectators but also the curious armchair enthusiast.
An entry list of 15 cars was picked to represent the various classes, and each one put on a great show for the watching hoards.
The group A four wheel drive and WRC participants included current Pirelli British Rally Champion Jonny Milner in his Toyota Corolla WRC, young Finnish hotshot Jari Matti Latvala in a Ford Focus WRC, Julian Reynolds in a Group A Impreza, 2002 BTCC champion James Thompson in his new ex-works Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, and 2002 S1600 Champion Justin Dale also put in an appearance in a Hyundai Accent WRC. To see these ultra powerful cars tackling the course in sideways style was a joy to behold, and drivers and passengers both seemed to be really enjoying their day.
The Super 1600 category was also well represented with Simon Hughes in his Clio Maxi, Ryan Champion in a Puma, Steve Hill in his unusual Alfa Romeo 147, and 206 Super Cup champion Garry Jennings making his first public appearance in the car he will drive in this year's championship as part of his prize drive from last year's series. Welsh wizard Gwyndaf Evans was also present, and was scheduled to be driving his S1600 MG ZR, but with rumours rife of MG pulling the plug on their rally programme, the sight of Evans in a Group N version of the car seemed ominous. Let's hope that isn't the case as it would be a great loss to the sport.
Also taking part and representing some of the other classes were Paul Alexander in a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7, Ellya Gold in his Peugeot 206 GT, Sophie Robinson in her Castrol VW Polo Cup car, Kate Heath in her Seat Ibiza Cupra Sport, Neil Burgess in the venerable Mini and Paul Swift, son of professional stunt driver Russ, in a Peugeot Super 206 Cup car.
Action was aplenty, but Paul Swift nearly ended his day on his first run when he outbraked himself and hit a kerb, damaging his suspension, but that was soon fixed and he re-appeared a few runs later. Jonny Milner and Justin Dale were lucky not to damage their cars bouncing off kerbs, and Garry Jennings diced with disaster on a few occasions spinning the 206 S1600 car as he got to grips with its handling ahead of a test at Sweet Lamb. But all in all it was a great day, with the added bonus of superb weather, and not a hint of the rain that had been forecast. Many new faces were seen lapping up the action, and with this being the idea behind the choice of venue, everyone within the organising team must have been very happy at its success.
We had hoped to follow this up straight away with the Rally of Wales, but it has been cancelled due to low entrant numbers in some of the smaller championships, which is a great pity. The PBRC kicks off now in April at the Pirelli International Rally.
Official Pirelli British Rally Championship site
RallyingOnline.com - the premier UK rally portal
RallyGallery.com - more images from this and other rallies
|
|
|
|
