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MSA GRAVEL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

PRESS RELEASE: 3 December 2010

Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship

Dulux Trade looks forward to 2011 British Rally Championship

Following a successful first season, Dulux Trade is looking forward to sponsoring the British Rally Championship for a second year.

The British Isles’ only international rally series will continue to be called the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship and its association with the high profile brand reinforces the championship’s status as one of the most respected in the world.

British Rally Championship Managing Director, Mark Taylor, said: “2010 has been a great success for us and we’ve received a fantastic response to the Dulux Trade sponsorship. We are really excited about the 2011 season and continuing to work with Dulux Trade.

“The championship brings a great deal of excitement and entertainment to its supporters, and the sponsorship provides a fun and dynamic platform for Dulux Trade to provide incentives and competitions for its existing and potential customers, as well as its staff. By continuing to use the championship to build on the emotional side of the brand, Dulux Trade will help promote its pioneering products and services to a new, wider audience base.”

Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Dulux Trade Marketing Director, Steve Snaith, said: “Last year, Dulux Trade was looking for an innovative way to bring its name and associated messaging to an even broader audience - the British Rally Championship fitted the bill perfectly. We’ve received a fantastic response to the sponsorship from both existing customers and new audiences, so we’re really looking forward to the year ahead.”

2011 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship calendar:

26 Feb – Rallye Sunseeker International – Bournemouth, Dorset
02 Apr – Bulldog International Rally North Wales – Welshpool, North Wales
29/30 Apr - Pirelli International Rally - Carlisle, Cumbria
27/28 May - Jim Clark International Rally - Kelso, Scottish Borders
19/20 Aug – Toddsleap International Rally NI - Antrim, Northern Ireland
23/24 Sep - International Rally Yorkshire – Scarborough, North Yorkshire
28/29 Oct - Isle of Man International Rally - Douglas, Isle of Man

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

PRESS RELEASE: 21 November 2010

Milner and Windress Claim Prizes to End ANCRO Era

The Association of National Championship Rally Organisers (ANCRO) held their annual awards ceremony earlier today in Stratford-upon-Avon to recognise the champions from the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship.

And whilst celebrations were the order of the day, following many years as organisers of the National series, this was to be the last one so it was especially poignant as outright champions for 2010; Jonny Milner and Ian Windress collected their awards from MSA Chief Executive, Colin Hilton.

Milner, the 2002 and 2003 British Rally Champion from Driffield, along with Northallerton co-driver Windress, who was ANCRO champion in 2005 also, came back after a few years away and was reunited with his venerable double championship winning Toyota Corolla WRC. A hat-trick of victories on the Pirelli Tour of Cumbria, Severn Valley Stages Rally and 60 & Worcestershire National Rally meant he and Windress claimed the title with a round to spare.

After debuting their Ford Focus WRC on Rallye Sunseeker, Charlie Payne from Ripon, along with York co driver Craig Thorley went on to clinch runner-up spot in the series after winning the final event, their home Trackrod National Rally.

Third place went to Durham youngster Stephen Petch and the experienced John Richardson from Northallerton who proved consistency was the key by scoring in every round but falling just short of winning a round in their Hyundai Accent WRC.

Other notable award winners included Alex Allingham and Mark Glennerster who made the transition from winning in the BTRDA Championship in 2009 to take the Production Cup and Subaru Cup in their Impreza whereas the Viking Ford Escort Challenge went the way of Chris Wigmore.

The Patterson Pace Notes All- Ireland Challenge winner was John McGaffin (Subaru), Ian Barrett and Gavin Wright took the 1400cc Cup whilst Jamie Anderson was crowned Junior Champion as well as lifting the Mitsubishi Cup as Kirsty Riddick won the Junior co-drivers title.

Picture (courtesy of Mark Simpson www.cmwi.net): From left to right Mark Glennerster, Alex Allingham (Production Cup Champions), Colin Hilton (MSA Chief Executive), Jonny Milner, Ian Windress (Overall Champions).

The full list of awards winners are as follows:

The MSA Gravel Rally Championship Overall Awards1st Overall Driver Jonny Milner
1st Overall Co-Driver Ian Windress
2nd Overall Driver Charlie Payne
2nd Overall Co-Driver Craig Thorley
3rd Overall Driver Stephen Petch
3rd Overall Co-Driver John Richardson

The MSA Gravel Rally Championship Production Cup Award
1st Overall Group N Driver Alex Allingham
1st Overall Group N Co-Driver Mark Glennerster

The MSA Gravel Rally Championship Class Awards
Class 3 1st Driver Jamie Anderson
Class 3 1st Co-Driver Horace Saville

Class 4 1st Driver Steve Perez
Class 4 1st Co-Driver Paul Spooner

Class 8 1st Driver Chris Wigmore
Class 8 1st Co-Driver Steve Lyons

Class 10 1st Driver Roger Duckworth
Class 10 1st Co-Driver Mark Broomfield

The MSA Gravel Rally Championship 1400cc Cup1st Overall Driver Ian Barrett
1st Overall Co-Driver Gavin Wright

The MSA Gravel Rally Championship Junior Award (Under 25 years old)
1st Overall Driver Jamie Anderson
1st Overall Co-Driver Kirsty Riddick

The Viking Ford Escort Challenge
1st Overall Driver Chris Wigmore

The Subaru Cup
1st Overall Alex Allingham

The Mitsubishi Trophy
1st Overall Jamie Anderson

The Patterson Pace Notes All-Ireland Challenge
1st Overall John McGaffin

25th September 2010

Round 5 - Trackrod National Rally, Pickering - Saturday 25th September 2010

Payne Perfect on Trackrod

Ripon driver Charlie Payne and York co driver Craig Thorley performed faultlessly on this weekend's Trackrod National Rally to end the 2010 MSA National Gravel Rally Championship in fine style with a dominant victory.

The pair won all six Yorkshire stages in their Ford Focus WRC as County Durham's Stephen Petch and co driver John Richardson from Northallerton, driving a Hyundai Accent WRC, returned to Scarborough second overall.

Newly crowned champions, Yorkshiremen Jonny Milner and Ian Windress were chasing Payne and Thorley all morning but the pair retired their Toyota Corolla WRC with a damaged rear link arm two stages from the end of the event which allowed Petch, who had a relatively drama free rally, to inherit second overall. Jamie Anderson and Ella Flynn won the Production class on the event but by finishing fourth overall, Mancunians Alex Allingham and Mark Glennerster had done enough to be crowned Production Cup Champions.

Overnight rain made the stages treacherous, with a number of drivers reporting that the grip levels were virtually non existent. A high level of attrition saw less than half the field return to the new host town of Scarborough at the end of an action packed day of rallying on the final ANCRO-organised event of the season.

The result sees Petch and Richardson claim second place overall in the Championship, just ahead of Payne and Thorley with Allingham and Glennerster in fourth. Former ANCRO Champions Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield claimed fifth with Anderson sixth.

Other notable winners included Anderson who took the Junior Drivers Award, Bicester's Chris Wigmore took maximum points in the Viking Ford Escort Challenge to clinch the title and both Anderson and Allingham won the respective Subaru Cup and Mitsubishi Trophy.

Charlie Payne: "Today was one great result for us, we had a good clean run with no real dramas. The weather made it very interesting and we survived a huge moment on the last stage so we were really lucky to make the finish!"

Alex Allingham: "These stages don't really suit my driving style as I prefer more technical stages and so I drove like an old lady just to get to the end. We picked up a puncture in Stage 6 which cost us a little bit of time but otherwise we had no real issues."

Further information and full championship positions are available on the website: www.msagravelrallychampionship.co.uk.

Trackrod National Rally Result

1, Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley - Ford Focus WRC06 - 0:56:02.1
2, Stephen Petch/John Richardson - Hyundai Accent WRC - 0:57:03.2
3, Jamie Anderson/Ella Flynn - Mitsubishi Evo 8 - 0:59:19.5
4, Alex Allingham/Mark Glennerster - Subaru Impreza - 1:00:31.1
5, Peter Stephenson/Jon Dunning - Ford Focus WRC06 - 1:01:41.6
6, Nigel Seabold/Tim Barton - Subaru N2010 - 1:02:22.7

Picture attached courtesy of Mark Simpson www.cmwi.net: Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley on their way to victory.

PRESS RELEASE: 16 September 2010

Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship round six of six

International Rally Yorkshire - 24/25 September 2010

Six chances for BRC glory

The final round of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship will see a six way fight for the 2010 title, with five nations represented in an all out bid for supremacy in the forests of Rally Yorkshire.

It is true that reigning champion Keith Cronin and co-driver Barry McNulty need only to finish inside the top six to guarantee back-to-back drivers’ titles for the Irishman and top eight to seal a first British title for his Northern Irish co-driver. But with the Dulux Trade MSA British Teams Rally Championship at stake too, the Irish pair must try their utmost to help Pirelli TEG Sport retain the prestigious MSA award.

While Cronin may be favourite for the title, it is by no means settled, since the last round of the 2010 season carries a 50% points bonus, any one of six of the current top seven in the table could still mathematically win if Cronin falters.

His position means that it is unlikely to see any heroics from last year’s event winner, so it is almost guaranteed that the rest of the field will sense the chance of victory while Cronin adopts an ultra cautious approach.

Topping the drivers’ tables since the end of the second round back in April has been Jonny Greer, but after co-driver changes, McNulty heads the co-drivers, a level head all he requires to help secure his place in the BRC history books.

Greer is one of only five drivers of the 41 registered to have scored on all the rounds of the championship so far, an impressive statistic that carries an unwanted penalty. As it will be the best five scores from the six events that count at the end of the season, the young Ulsterman must drop his worst event tally after Rally Yorkshire. But it does mean that with a solid finish he is guaranteed of a top three position in the 2010 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship, his previous best fifth in both 2008 and 2009.

From different sides of the border Craig Breen and Alastair Fisher have more in common than Irish roots. Respectively co-driven by Gareth Roberts and Rory Kennedy, neither can now secure the BRC title following season-long bad luck. But after a maiden win in Ulster Breen will compete in Yorkshire to prove his, and his awesome Fiesta S2000’s, ability on gravel, while Fisher’s two podiums this year put the youngster in a prime spot for his own maiden victory.

Jason Pritchard’s co-driver Robbie Durant is in a strong position too, currently second to McNulty, while Pritchard’s debut four wheel drive season has gone extremely well, currently sandwiched in third place between two British Rally Champions. A podium place on Rally Isle of Man is the season highlight so far, the 22 year old another with a score from each of the five events and a passion to improve in his Subaru.

The fact the 1996 British Rally Champion Gwyndaf Evans languishes in fourth place in the tables is no reflection on the 51 year old’s commitment this year. A mechanical problem on the opening round on his home gravel aside, the ‘Welsh Wizard’ admits that this season has been the most competitive he has experienced for many a year.

This must go some way in justifying two uncharacteristic crashes in as many events, JR Motorsports driver Evans having to push harder than ever to keep pace with the youngsters. Two non-scores mean that he must rely on others retiring to add his name to the trophy after a fourteen year gap.

2008 Pirelli Star Driver Adam Gould has had a difficult season financially, unable to secure a single big sponsor to assist in running Mark Higgins’ old Subaru this year. But he and Craig Drew have struggled through, even starting the season on the podium in March, a feat they have not managed to repeat despite some fantastic stage times in the old specification car. Their focus on this event must surely be to assist team mate Cronin to help Pirelli TEG Sport retain the Teams’ title.

Amazingly Gwyndaf’s son Elfyn is sixth in the overall championship tables, but having finished every round he has the same problem as Greer and Pritchard, needing to drop a score. This means that he cannot take the title regardless of others potential misfortunes. The word amazing should not be considered in the context of his position being a surprise though, since he and Andrew Edwards have deserved their excellent results.

Swapping to a new specification Fiesta part way through the season was a good move for the Welsh duo, but with perfect twenties across the board in the Fiesta SportTrophy, they could probably have won the series in the old car, such is the youngster’s domination of the one make series.

The final crew with an outside chance of Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship victory is that of brother and sister team Daniel Sigurðarson and Ásta Sigurðardóttir. The multiple Icelandic champion will complete his first full season in the BRC at the wheel of a Mitsubishi, working to help secure the Teams title for JR Motorsports and eager to end the year with a podium place.

International Rally Yorkshire gets underway with an autograph session and ceremonial start on the south end of the town’s Marine Drive from 6pm on Friday. A single seventeen mile stage awaits the crews in the Dalby Forest complex, before a service and overnight halt back at Marine Drive.

Saturday sees two loops of Dalby stages split by a another service in Scarborough, before the eventual Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Champion is crowned at the Marine Drive finish at 6.15pm.

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

PRESS RELEASE: 16 Sept 2010

2011 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship calendar announced

In advance of the 2010 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship’s final event, Rally Yorkshire, the British Isles’ premier rally championship can now confirm its 2011 calendar of events.

Responding to the survey carried out by the BRC earlier this year, seven events will form the 2011 Championship making a better balance of gravel and asphalt mileage throughout the season.

Rallye Sunseeker International is the season opener for the very first time providing a high profile promotional start and compact well organised event to kick off the 2011 championship. A visit to Wales and Cumbria take up the next two rounds, their single day 100 mile gravel format providing a real test for competitors.

Then the DTBRC starts its asphalt rounds with a return to Duns for the Jim Clark Rally before a 12 week summer break.

“The new championship provides a better balance of gravel and asphalt whilst still featuring the very best events in the British Isles. Our mid season break will not only give teams and competitors a chance to regroup before the second half, but we will use this opportunity to attend public shows and events giving championship partners and competitors’ sponsors opportunities for some mid season promotional exposure.” said Championship Manager Mark Taylor.

Rally NI and Rally Yorkshire remain unchanged, retaining their popular formats, whilst Rally Isle of Man becomes the new season finale event.

Aware of the premium travel and accommodation costs involved with running an event during the summer holiday season, the organisers of Rally Isle of Man have moved away from this period and in conjunction with local authorities are planning a weekend festival of motorsport. This popular, but gruelling test over two days will be split into two full championship points scoring rounds, providing every opportunity for competitors to fight for the title and ensuring that the championship goes down to the wire again.

Regulations for the 2011 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship should be available in advance of the second running of its successful October open day.

2011 MSA British Rally Championship Calendar

Date Event Location
26th Feb Rallye Sunseeker International Bournemouth
2nd Apr Bulldog International Rally North Wales Welshpool
30th Ap Pirelli International Rally Carlisle
27th / 28th May Jim Clark International Rally Kelso
19th / 20th Aug Toddsleap.com International Rally NI Antrim
23rd / 24th Sep International Rally Yorkshire Scarborough
28th / 29th Oct Isle of Man International Rally Douglas

PRESS RELEASE: 4th September 2010

2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship - Round 4 Sixty & Worcestershire National Rally

Milner Wins 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship

Former double British Rally Champion Jonny Milner and co driver Ian Windress took maximum championship points on the Sixty & Worcestershire National Rally today to take their third victory of the season and in doing so wrapped up the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship with one round remaining.

Needing a victory in the National A element of the penultimate round of the ANCRO-organised series, Milner, the 2002 and 2003 British Rally Champion, was only sixth fastest through the opening stage of the Ludlow-based event and by contrast, championship rivals Roger Duckworth (Silverstone) and Nick Broomfield (Towcester) were some five seconds faster in their Subaru Impreza WRC.

Duckworth was a further two seconds quicker through the 8.76 miles of High Vinnalls and by first service held a slim six second advantage over Milner. However by the end of the seventh test the title was all but decided when Duckworth was sidelined with a broken gearbox leaving Milner with a 12 second cushion over Charlie Payne (Ripon) and Craig Thorley (York) in their Ford Focus WRC.

Milner and Windress needed those maximum points to secure the title with a round to spare but their task was only made easier when Payne suffered clutch failure on the start line of the penultimate stage. Whilst Payne and Thorley were able to complete the route the time loss ensured that Milner would end the day 15 seconds ahead and with the 25 points that he needed to take the championship victory.

In the Production Class category the Subaru Impreza N10 of Alex Allingham (Stalybridge) and Mark Glennerster (Wanborough) triumphed over the Mitsubishi Evo 9 of season long rivals Tom Naughton (Bury) and Horace Saville (Bury) to move one step closer towards taking the Production Class crown. The pair only requires a podium position on the season-ending Trackrod National Rally to secure their second major title in succession after winning the BTRDA Production Class in 2009.

A number of championship contenders had more than their fair share of dramas during the day. Stephen Petch (Hamsterley) and John Richardson (Northallerton) spent the morning quite literally in a spin when they began the event with the wrong compound tyres on their Hyundai Accent WRC. Their day did not improve when the pair suffered a broken exhaust manifold and when the turbo failed during the final loop of stages the pair were relieved just to see the finish ramp. Likewise Nigel Seabold (Headley) and Tim Barton (Epson) had a fraught day in their Subaru Impreza when first their launch control button fell off the dashboard and then the pair had issues with their intercooler spray, but were very happy to finish their first Gravel Championship event of the year.

Robert Cholmondeley (Barnt Green) and Dave Evans (Leeds) took maximum points in the Viking Ford Escort Challenge by virtue of being the only starters in the category.

Milner's day wasn't without its problems and a puncture threatened to spoil their hopes late on but the end result is that Milner goes into his local event, the Trackrod National Rally later this month, knowing the title is safe meaning he can enjoy his favourite stages in the Yorkshire forests.

Jonny Milner: "I felt that there was more pressure on me today than when I won the BRC! I was struggling with a long brake pedal in the morning but we did what we had to for the championship and now I'm looking forward to going flat out in Yorkshire!"

Charlie Payne: "I really enjoyed the stages today. We had a small off-road excursion on the one stage where we ran wide and went into the undergrowth, I was waiting for a big bang but thankfully we just popped back onto the road again! The locals really know this event so I challenge them to come to Yorkshire so we can try and even the score!"

Alex Allingham: "We lost a lot of time with a front puncture on one of the morning stages which was pretty frustrating and then we had an issue with hanging dust as well but all in all it's been a great day out in the woods."

For full details of championship positions and other information, visit www.msagravelrallychampionship.co.uk.

Results (2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship competitors in bold)

1, Steve Perez/Paul Spooner - Ford Focus WRC - 0:44:41
2, Roger Chilman Jnr/Andrew Sankey - Subaru Impreza - 0:45:40
3, Nigel Griffiths/Jon Scott - Subaru Impreza - 0:45:52
4, Jonny Milner/Ian Windress - Toyota Corolla WRC - 0:46:03
5, Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley - Ford Focus WRC06 - 0:46:18
6, John Lloyd/Adrian Cavenagh - Ford Focus WRC - 0:46:30
7, Alex Allingham/Mark Glennerster - Subaru Impreza - 0:46:57
8, Tom Naughton/Horace Saville - Mitsubishi Evo IX - 0:47:04
9, Stephen Petch/John Richardson - Hyundai Accent WRC - 0:47:33
10, Gary Cooper/Jon Riley - Subaru Impreza - 0:47:33

2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship after Round 4, Sixty & Worcestershire National Rally

1 Jonny Milner 93pts
2 Stephen Petch 76pts
3 Charlie Payne 68pts
4 Alex Allingham 53pts
5 Roger Duckworth 44pts

PRESS RELEASE: 5th July 2010

Round 4 - The Pro-Art Signs Swansea Bay Rally - Saturday 17th July 2010

SWANSEA BAY RALLY POSTPONED

The Pro-Art Signs Swansea Bay Rally, which was due to take place on 17th July in the forests around Resolven and Rhondda in South Wales, has been postponed.

Part of the route that is traditionally followed by competitors in this annual event goes through Welsh Assembly Government woodlands that are affected by the recent outbreak of the tree disease caused by the Phytophthora ramorum (P. ramorum) infection.

P. ramorum can be spread by tree needles and soil clinging to people or vehicles and, as the cars would travel between infected woodlands and uninfected areas several times during the course of the rally, there would be a high risk of spreading the disease.

Forestry Commission Wales met with the rally organisers, Port Talbot Motor Club, last week to try to identify an alternative route away from the woodlands affected by P. ramorum.

As the organisers were not able to find roads in the area that meet the standard required for the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship that the rally forms part of, they have taken the decision to postpone the event.

Forestry Commission Wales District Forest Manager Dai Jones said, "We are treating the outbreak of Phytophthora ramorum in South Wales very seriously and we are determined to minimise the impacts of this disease on woodlands. We are disappointed that the Pro-Art Signs Swansea Bay Rally has been postponed but the risk of allowing a large number of cars to travel between areas that are infected by this serious tree disease, and those that are not, is too great. We hoped that, by working with the rally organisers, we could identify an alternative route but, as this has not been possible at this time, we look forward to welcoming the event back in future."

P. ramorum is a fungus-like pathogen that kills many of the trees that it infects. It was found on Japanese larch trees in South West England last year, and in woodland managed by Forestry Commission Wales on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government in the Afan Valley, near Port Talbot, Dulais Valley near Crynant and Garw Valley, near Bridgend in June. The outbreak in South Wales is the first time P. ramorum has been found on Japanese larch trees outside of South West England.

However, the situation is changing rapidly as surveys are undertaken and it is likely that the infection has spread more widely. Forestry Commission Wales is holding discussions with other rally organisers to consider options for the events that are due to take place later this year.

The public woodlands remain open and signs at forest entrances ask visitors to observe some simple bio security precautions to minimise the spread of infection.

PRESS RELEASE: 5th June 2010

Round 3 - Severn Valley National Rally, Builth Wells - 5th June 2010

MILNER TAKES SWEET SEVERN SUCCESS

North Yorkshire pairing Jonny Milner and Ian Windress made it two wins in a row after triumphing on the third round of the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship, narrowly beating Towcester duo Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield to the win after seven stages of hot and dusty action on some of Wales' finest forest stages.

From the Builth Wells start of the Severn Valley National Rally, former ANCRO champion Duckworth was fastest out of the blocks, anxious to make amends for his indiscretion on the recent Pirelli Tour of Cumbria when he crashed out in his Subaru Impreza WRC. Milner, from Driffield and co driver Windress from Northallerton, could only manage third fastest through the opening stage in Cefn in their Toyota Corolla WRC, pipped by both Duckworth and Ripon driver Charlie Payne and York co driver Craig Thorley in the Focus WRC.

Milner then clawed back the advantage on the second stage in Crychan as the following field struggled with visibility in the hanging dust. Payne was second fastest again but then undid all of his good work by spinning backwards into a bank in the third test, Halfway, dislodging the rear bumper and ended the stage with the offending item resting on a hot exhaust and on fire.

By first service, Milner held a slender four second lead over Duckworth, the two rivals having taken a pair of stage wins apiece, and during service the main talking point was tyres as all crews reported excessive wear in the hot conditions.

Bury driver Tom Naughton had experienced a frightening off in the opening stage, crashing head first into a tree and causing the stage to be halted. Fortunately both Tom and co driver Horace Saville were unhurt but this allowed Wug Utting from Gatwick and Tatsfield co driver Bob Stokoe a clear run and the pair returned to service with a four second advantage over Alex Allingham (Stalybridge) and Mark Glennerster (Wanborough) in their Subaru.

The 15 miles of Radnor comprised SS5 and saw Milner and Duckworth separated by a mere 0.2 of a second as third fastest on the stage was Stephen Petch (Hamsterley) and Bedale co driver John Richardson in their Hyundai Accent WRC. At the same time a rapid run from Allingham, coupled with Utting being stuck behind a stricken Jamie Anderson (Ellistown) and Mark Mason (Tyneside), saw the reigning BTRDA Production Class Champion regain the Group N lead. This stage also saw the demise of Headley driver Nigel Seabold and co driver Tim Barton from Epsom as the pair rolled their brand new Subaru Impreza N2010 into retirement.

The final two stages were re-runs of the first two of the day and saw Duckworth and Milner resume their battle. Whilst Duckworth was 0.6 of a second faster on the penultimate stage, Milner attacked hard through Crychan to take seven seconds back from the Subaru driver and returned to Builth Wells with a narrow victory margin of just 10.9 seconds to record his second maximum score in a row.

"What a fantastic day! Radnor was brilliant and in really good condition. Roger and I had a cracking battle all day long and to come out on top is the best way to end such an event" said Milner at the finish.

A frantic final stage saw Charlie Payne finally come to grips with his Ford Focus WRC and he did enough to move from fifth to third on the final stage, taking the final podium position by seven seconds from Stephen Petch.

Just behind the Proton of Tom Cave and Ieuan Thomas, Alex Allingham ensured that he took his first ever MSA Gravel Rally Championship Production Class victory with a pair of rapid times over the final two stages, doing enough to take maximum points by a comfortable 42 seconds from Wug Uttings similar Subaru Impreza.

Paul James (Wellington) and co driver Derek Davies (Bishopton) took their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 to eighth overall, one place ahead of the Hyundai Accent WRC of Peter Egerton and Jamie Edwards whereas Tony Macwhirter and Steve Green in their Mitsubishi edged out the unfortunate Jamie Anderson for the final top ten placing.

The Viking Escort Challenge saw Chris Wigmore (Bicester) and co driver Steve Lyons (Brackley) overcome a broken clutch cable to go fastest over all seven stages, finishing 13th overall and some three minutes ahead of Robert Cholmondeley (Barnt Green) and Dave Evans (Leeds) in their similar Ford Escort MkII.

Retirements included Trevor Martin/Ray Cleghorn (Subaru Impreza) with an oil leak as SS3 claimed both Sara Williams/Dai Roberts (Subaru) and Kevin Rowledge/Paul Whittaker (Mitsubishi) and Nigel Seabold/Tim Barton (Subaru) stopped after SS5.

Picture attached courtesy of www.cmwi.net: Jonny Milner & Ian Windress on their way to victory on today's Severn Valley National Rally.

Severn Valley National Rally - Result (Provisional)

1, Jonny Milner/Ian Windress - Toyota Corolla WRC - 1:00:59.8
2, Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield - Subaru Impreza - 1:01:10.7
3, Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley - Ford Focus WRC 06 - 1:02:44.3
4, Stephen Petch/John Richardson - Hyundai Accent WRC - 1:02:45.7
5, Tom Cave/Ieuan Thomas - Proton Satria Neo - 1:02:50.1
6, Alex Allingham/Mark Glennerster - Subaru Impreza - 1:03:57.9
7, Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe - Subaru Impreza - 1:04:40.1
8, Paul James/Derek Davies - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 1:06:44.2
9, Peter Egerton/Jamie Edwards - Hyundai Accent WRC - 1:07:19.9
10, Tony MacWhirter/Steve Green - Mitsubishi Evo 7 - 1:07:48.2

Championship Standings after Round 3 (Provisional)

1, Jonny Milner - 68pts
2, Stephen Petch - 58pts
3, Charlie Payne - 46pts
4, Roger Duckworth - 43pts
5, Alex Allingham - 33pts
6, Wug Utting - 21pts
7, Marcus Dodd - 25pts
8, Paul James - 24pts
9, Steve Perez - 22pts
10, Kevin Rowledge - 21pts
=, Jamie Anderson - 21pts

PRESS RELEASE: 26th May 2010

ROUND 3 PREVIEW - SEVERN VALLEY NATIONAL RALLY

2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship - Round 3 - Severn Valley National Rally - Sat 5th June 2010

WALES BECKONS FOR ANCRO CREWS

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER AND LATE ENTRIES STILL AVAILABLE AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!

Round three of the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship makes its first of three successive visits to Wales and the Welsh borders when competitors converge on the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells for the Severn Valley National Rally next Saturday (5th June).

Championship leaders Jonny Milner (Huggate) and co driver Ian Windress (Northallerton) will be looking for another victory in their Toyota Corolla WRC to add to the win last time out on the Pirelli Tour of Cumbria.

There, the former double British Champion saw off the Hyundai Accent WRC of Stephen Petch (Hamsterley) and John Richardson (Northallerton) and Yorkshiremen Charlie Payne (Ripon) and Craig Thorley (York) in their Ford Focus WRC and that's the way they stand in the title chase.

But Milner won't have it all his own way because as well as Petch and Payne, the Subaru WRC of former ANCRO Champions Roger Duckworth (Silverstone) and co driver Mark Broomfield (Towcester), who finished third on Rallye Sunseeker before crashing out in Kielder Forest last month, will be a major threat in the Welsh forests.

The Subaru of Alex Allingham (Stalybridge) and Mark Glennerster (Wanborough) as well as Tom Naughton (Bury) and Horace Saville (Bury) in the Mitsubishi didn't see the Carlisle finish and neither did Jamie Anderson (Ellistown) and Mark Mason (Gateshead) in their Mitsubishi so all are hoping to make sure they have a good run this time out.

The surprise package of the last round was Kevin Rowledge (Wimborne) and Paul Whittaker (Poole) who nearly made the podium in Cumbria in their Mitsubishi, whereas the colourful Wug Utting (Gatwick) and Bob Stokoe (Tatfield) return to the series in their Subaru, as does Hyundai Accent WRC crew Peter Egerton (Burley) and Jamie Edwards (Wrexham) whilst Welshmen Tom Cave and Ieuan Thomas will take to the stages in their Proton Satria.

The Mitsubishi of Paul James (Wellington) and Derek Davies (Swansea) will also be hunting down points, as will Trevor Martin (Medstead) and Ray Cleghorn (Gerrards Cross) in the Subaru whereas local driver Tony Macwhirter (Cardiff) and Steve Green (Leeds) are sure to be in the thick of the action.

Following her retirement on Rallye Sunseeker, Sara Williams (Brecon) and Dai Roberts (Carmarthen) will be looking to impress on their local event in their Subaru and Nigel Seabold (Headley) and Tim Barton (Epsom) will be hoping to put the disappointment of retiring their Subaru on round one behind them too.

The two-wheel drive brigade is headed by Viking Ford Escort Challenge runners Robert Cholmondeley (Barnt Green) and Dave Evans (Leeds) as well as Chris Wigmore (Bicester) and Steve Lyons (Brackley) whereas Welsh pairing Tom Watson and Arwell Jenkins tackle the stages in their FST-specification Ford Fiesta.

The Severn Valley National Rally gets underway at 10.00 on Saturday 5th June with around 60 miles of competitive action over seven stages before the finish back at the Royal Welsh Showground at around 17.20.

In a bid to help any competitors who may still be considering entering the event, the late entry surcharge of £100 is being waived until this forthcoming Saturday (29th May) and also, it's the final chance any crews have to register for ANCRO and be eligible to score points in the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship and associated classes. Please contact Jan Allen on 01432 272977 (before 9pm) or email:

For full details, including spectator information, go to www.severnvalleystages.co.uk and for championship positions and other information, visit www.msagravelrallychampionship.co.uk.

2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship after Round 2, Pirelli Tour of Cumbria

1 Jonny Milner 43pts
2 Stephen Petch 39pts
3 Charlie Payne 26pts
4 Marcus Dodd 25pts
5 Steve Perez 22pts
6 Roger Duckworth 21pts

PRESS RELEASE: 24th April 2010

Round 2 - Pirelli Tour of Cumbria, Carlisle - Saturday 24th April 2010

MILNER MASTERS PIRELLI TOUR OF CUMBRIA

Former double British Champion Jonny Milner saw off the opposition with a superb victory on today's Pirelli Tour of Cumbria after a hectic day in a dry and dusty Kielder Forest which saw round two of the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship take place.

Along with co driver Ian Windress, Milner's Toyota Corolla WRC emerged over a minute to the good ahead of the Hyundai Accent WRC of Stephen Petch and John Richardson with Charlie Payne and co driver Craig Thorley's Ford Focus WRC coming home in third place.

In fact Milner was never headed as he was fastest out of the blocks on the opening stage and doubled his one-second advantage over the Subaru WRC of former ANCRO Champions Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield to two seconds after the day's second stage in the Kielder complex.

At the first service Yorkshireman Milner held sway over Duckworth by five seconds with Petch and Payne battling just over half a minute down as they scrapped it out for the final podium place.

Milner continued to lead but on the next loop of stages, Duckworth suffered a puncture and dropped a minute but worse was to follow when he went off the road on the penultimate stage meaning his challenge was over and allowing Milner to take his first victory since the Manx International Rally in 2004.

As a result Petch moved into the runner-up spot and crossed the Carlisle finish line just over a minute down whereas Payne, in only his second drive in the Ford Focus WRC, finished third. The Mitsubishi of Kevin Rowledge and Paul Whittaker came home in fourth ahead of the Ford Escort of Matthew Robinson/Darren Brown with Subaru debutantes Darren Martin/Martin Steele claiming sixth.

Notable retirements included Tom Naughton/Horace Saville who went off the road on SS5 with Shelly Taunt/Julie Murphy suffering with suspension damage on the same stage. Alex Allingham/Bob Stokoe rolled their Subaru one stage later, as did Jamie Anderson and Mark Mason. Neville Jones/Ian Capewell went out on SS10 and Rob Cholmondeley/Dave Evans also retired their Escort.

A delighted Jonny Milner said at the Carlisle finish: "At last I've won this rally and it's been a long time but the feeling's still good. The car has been faultless all day and Ian has done a great job on the notes. It's good to be leading the Championship and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series."

Milner leads the Championship going into the next round which is the Severn Valley National Rally on June 5th with Petch in second position and Payne in third.

Picture attached, courtesy of Mark Simpson (www.cmwi.net): Jonny Milner and Ian Windress on their way to victory on today's Pirelli Tour of Cumbria in their Toyota Corolla WRC.

Pirelli Tour of Cumbria - Result (Provisional)

1, Jonny Milner/Ian Windress - Toyota Corolla WRC - 1:04:37.6
2, Stephen Petch/John Richardson - Hyundai Accent WRC - 1:05:45.8
3, Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley - Ford Focus WRC06 - 1:06:29.1
4, Kevin Rowledge/Paul Whittaker - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 1:17:01.9
5, Matthew Robinson/Darren Brown - Ford Escort Mk2 - 1:22:59.5
6, Darren Martin/Martin Steele - Subaru Impreza - 1:28:38.6

Championship Standings after Round 2 (Provisional)

1, Jonny Milner 43pts
2, Stephen Petch 39pts
3, Charlie Payne 27pts
4, Marcus Dodd 25pts
5, Steve Perez 22pts
6, Roger Duckworth 21pts

PRESS RELEASE: 27th February 2010

Round One - Rallye Sunseeker, Bournemouth - Friday 26th/Saturday 27th February 2010

SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR DODD ON RALLYE SUNSEEKER

Defending champions Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery got the defence of their title underway in the best possible fashion with a sensational seventh victory on Rallye Sunseeker held in Bournemouth today.

Driving the Hyundai Accent WRC the pair emerged 33.7 seconds ahead of the Peugeot Cosworth of Andrew Burton and co driver Robin Kellard, with former ANCRO champion Steve Perez and co driver Paul Spooner claiming third place a further 13 seconds back on the opening round of the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship.

Dodd, from nearby Poole, overcame the disappointment of retiring on last year's event, and also the drenched Dorset forests this year, to run out a clear winner and apart from a couple of moments during the day his only problem was an errant warning light on the last stage.

Burton, who decided not to register for ANCRO points, brought his crowd-pleasing Peugeot Cosworth home in runner-up spot after Perez, the 2004 national champion, suffered a last stage spin which meant the Chesterfield driver had to settle for third place in his Ford Focus WRC07.

Towcester's Roger Duckworth and co driver Mark Broomfield had a trouble-free run to fourth place in their Subaru WRC, with Paul Bird, from Penrith, and co driver Kirsty Riddick in their Ford Focus WRC08 putting in a brave drive to finish fifth following the death of his mother last week.

Yorkshiremen Jonny Milner and Ian Windress brought their Toyota Corolla WRC home in sixth after a misfire slowed the former double British champion earlier on. Next up was Anthony Willmington, Dave Weston Jnr and Jonny Greer, but none of them were registered for points leaving Co Durham driver Stephen Petch and co driver John Richardson to claim sixth place ANCRO points following their tenth place finish in the Hyundai Accent WRC.

In the Viking Motorsport Ford Escort Challenge, Richard Lane and co driver Frank Richer took the spoils and the Nissan Micra pairing of Ian Barrett and co driver Gavin Wright claimed victory in the 1400cc Cup.

Marcus Dodd: "It's been a very difficult rally and the stages have been as wet as I've ever known them but to win this event for the seventh time is fantastic. One mile from the end of the last stage the water temperature shot through the roof but it was not a problem in the end and to claim victory on my local event is a great start to the year."

The next event takes place on 23rd/24th April with the Pirelli Tour of Cumbria which is based in Carlisle.

For further information, including class positions, please visit the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship website: www.msagravelrallychampionship.co.uk.

Rallye Sunseeker Overall Result

1, Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery - Hyundai Accent WRC - 55:02.1
2, Andrew Burton/Robin Kellard - Peugeot Cosworth - 55:35.8
3, Steve Perez/Paul Spooner - Ford Focus WRC07 - 55:48.8
4, Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield - Subaru Impreza WRC - 56:17.5
5, Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick - Ford Focus WRC08 - 56:46.3
6, Jonny Milner/Ian Windress - Toyota Corolla WRC - 57:51.6
7, Anthony Willmington/Andrew White - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo6 - 58:21.3
8, Dave Weston Jnr/Ieuan Thomas - Subaru Impreza - 59:09.0
9, Jonathan Greer/Brian Crawford - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9 - 59:40.4
10, Stephen Petch/John Richardson - Hyundai Accent WRC - 1:00.23.5

2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings after Round One (Provisional)

1, Marcus Dodd 25pts
2, Steve Perez 22pts
3, Roger Duckworth 20pts
4, Paul Bird 19pts
5, Jonny Milner 18pts
6, Stephen Petch 17pts

Picture attached courtesy of www.cmwi.net: Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery heading to victory in the wet conditions on today's Rallye Sunseeker.

PRESS RELEASE: 20th February 2010

Round 1 - Rallye Sunseeker, Bournemouth - Friday 26th/Saturday 27th February 2010

STARS SET TO SHINE ON RALLYE SUNSEEKER

The eagerly anticipated battle for the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship gets underway next weekend when crews from all over the UK as well as further afield converge on the South coast resorts of Bournemouth and Poole for the annual ANCRO season opener as the 25th annual Rallye Sunseeker roars into life.

And with the best entry assembled in recent years, fans on the South Coast's premier motorsport event will be revelling in the atmosphere amidst the Dorset forests.

Six-times event winner and very much the local hero Marcus Dodd from nearby Poole along with co driver Andrew Bargery from just down the coast at Hove, will be looking to win back the crown they relinquished to Isle of Wight Subaru driver Will Nicholls and co driver Nick Broom last year, and given that Nicholls and Broom are not returning to defend their title, the Hyundai Accent WRC pairing will start the event as one of the favourites.

Whereas Dodd is the reigning Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Champion having landed the crown five times in total and the last three times in succession, he faces stiff opposition as heading the challenge will be four former champions who are making a welcome return to the fold.

Twice Rallye Sunseeker winner Roger Duckworth and co driver Mark Broomfield took the Championship honours in 1998 and the driver who lives near Silverstone is back for another crack at the title in his venerable Subaru whereas 2004 ANCRO winner and VK boss Steve Perez from Chesterfield along with co driver Paul Spooner has the ex Marcus Gronholm Ford Focus WRC07 at his disposal and is fresh from winning last weekend's Wyedean Rally. 2005 Champion Paul Bird is back with a vengeance in his works-specification Ford Focus WRC08 and the flamboyant chicken farmer from Penrith has won his last three events in a row along with co driver Kirsty Riddick but like Perez, has never sampled Sunseeker glory. The other winner of the national title to take to the start line is Ulsterman Kenny McKinstry who won the series in 1999 and the Subaru WRC driver will be looking to repeat his win on Rallye Sunseeker of 2002, this time with co driver Harvey Bell on the notes.

The rivalry between Perez and Bird is legendary in Rallye Sunseeker history, but they, as well as Dodd, Duckworth and McKinstry, will be having to look to their rear view mirrors as there are a host of top names expected to be in the mix come Saturday afternoon.

Double British Champion Jonny Milner is reunited with his trusty Toyota Corolla WRC and co driver Ian Windress so could be the dark horse whilst Irish marauders Richard Cathcart/Martin Brady (Subaru WRC) and Jonny Greer (Mitsubishi Evo 9) could spring a surprise. County Durham driver Stephen Petch teams up with John Richardson in their Hyundai Accent WRC and don't rule out local aces Anthony Willmington/Andrew White (Mitsubishi Evo 6) and Scotsman Dave Weston Jnr and Ieuan Thomas in their latest version Subaru. Scandinavian drivers Daniel Sigurdarson and Johannes Gunnarson add to the international ambience in their respective Mitsubishis as part of the shakedown for the upcoming Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.

Other drivers who could make a splash on the two day event include local motor dealer Steve Hendy (Ford Focus WRC), BTRDA front runner Alex Allingham (Subaru) and the similar cars of Tristan Pye and Wug Utting plus there's a legendary MG Metro 6R4 competing in the hands of Stuart Larbey which is always a crowd favourite.

Strength in depth in the various classes is the outcome of some radical restructuring of the championship over winter and around 70 crews will be doing battle for honours including the Viking Motorsport Ford Escort Challenge, 1400cc Cup, Super 2000 Cup and Land & Range Rover Cup, Richard Burns Trophy and Manufacturer's award which should make a great spectacle to entertain the huge crowds expected on the South coast.

Throw in the cosmopolitan mix of 72-years-young veteran Harry Dodd (Hyundai Accent WRC) competing in his back yard, fast ladies Shelley Taunt and Sara Williams, both driving Subarus, and the iconic Lancia Delta Integrale Evo of Rod Bennett, and the scene is set for a typically exciting curtain raiser to the National rally scene.

With the traditional Friday evening Winter Gardens and Seafront stage not included this year, the event gets underway with a pompous ceremonial start at Poole Quayside at 18.15 on Friday, before the event proper starts on Saturday morning with the traditional loops around the forests and stately homes of Ringwood and Wareham before the winners' champagne is uncorked in Bournemouth town centre around 17.30.

For more information on the event visit www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE: 5th January 2010

TOP PRIZE FOR VIKING MOTORSPORT FORD ESCORT CHALLENGE

Following recent announcements relating to the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship, the Association of National Championship Rally Organisers are delighted to announce that Viking Motorsport has put up a fantastic prize for the winner of the Viking Motorsport Ford Escort Challenge.

Viking Motorsport proprietor Phil Mills has come up with a package which will see the driver who wins the series being offered a full post season inspection at Viking's workshops (labour free) and in addition, they will receive a £500 voucher towards any Viking parts or OMP clothing.

Championship contenders will have to start at least four of the six rounds and will need to display prominent decals but other than that, there are no additional registration costs or conditions.

Commenting on the Viking Motorsport Ford Escort Challenge, Phil Mills said: "There is so much interest for such a series which accommodates all Ford Escorts that we wanted to put up a prize that reflected that and we're delighted to be involved with the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship. I hope that by offering such a prize that many people will contest the series as it would be great to see loads of iconic Ford Escorts in action!"

All Ford Escorts are eligible, modern or historic specifications, and further details, registration and entry forms are available at www.msagravelrallychampionship.co.uk.

The incentive is the latest in a long line of benefits aimed at the competitor in the much revamped championship and includes amongst many other things, subsidised ferry crossings, discounted entry fees and top prizes on the six rounds that comprise the series.

2010 Events (Provisional)
Round 1 - 26/27th February - Rallye Sunseeker, Bournemouth
Round 2 - 23/24th April - Pirelli Tour of Cumbria, Carlisle
Round 3 - 5th June - Severn Valley National Rally, Builth Wells
Round 4 - 17th July - Pro Art Signs Swansea Bay Rally, Swansea
Round 5 - 4th September - 60 & Worcestershire Rally, Ludlow
Round 6 - 25th September - Trackrod National Rally, Pickering

Further information and details are available on www.msagravelrallychampionship.co.uk

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