Just a fortnight before two of Britain’s major rally championships converge for the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire on September 28/29 th the North York Moors Forest stages are “in superb condition” according to Clerk of the Course Rod Parkin.
The 2018 edition of the event, which has run almost continuously for over 40 years, is the final and thus, in many categories, decisive round of the Fuchs Lubricants MSA British Historic Championship and Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Series as well as incorporating numerous other national and regional title races.
No-one knew how the recent cancellation of the Rally Isle of Man – another stalwart of the British rallying calendar and a major part of the historic championship – might affect entries, but with over 120 vehicles, of all shapes and sizes, already confirmed Parkin explained:
“The Historic Cup competitors are slightly up while the modern entries (which contest the concurrent but slightly shorter Trackrod Forest Stages Rally) are slightly down but I’d fully expect the final total to be much the same as last year.
“The Isle of Man is run on tarmac so offers a totally different attraction to the Yorkshire forests, so I don’t think that has had much effect on our rally. “
There is still time for more entries to come in and the forest stages are in superb condition having not been used since the Malton Forest Rally at the tail end of last year.
“The facts that the Category One (oldest) and lower capacity Cat 2s and 3s are running at the front of the field (when the stages are less cut up), might have helped the historic entries but I haven’t really had the chance to analyse them?”
The Trackrod extravaganza offers six completely different and famously fast and thrilling stages – all experienced by the Historic Cup and Land Rover Challenge competitors, who leave the start ramp along Filey’s Beach Road as daylight fades on Friday evening.
They have approximately 55 competitive miles ahead of them, beginning with a 10.43-mile stage in South Dalby, with just spotlights and the co-driver’s navigation for guidance.
The Trackrod Forest Stages contestants join them early on Saturday morning for the final five stages, another 45 timed to the fraction of a second miles, in Cropton, Gale Rigg, North Dalby, Staindale and Langdale, before the combined finish back along Filey seafront during Saturday afternoon.
Both the start and finish are completely free to onlookers, who are encouraged to use special spectator areas in Dalby (Woodyard and Housedale [Saturday only]) and Cropton (Spiers House). All these have facilities such as refreshments and toilets with the famous Woodyard complex also featuring live commentary.
Advance tickets are already available via the rally website: www.rallyyorkshire.co.uk which has further details of entries and the rally. More information:
www.racrmc.org/british-historic-rally-championship/index
www.btrdarally.com
www.facebook.com/trackrodrallyyorkshire
Twitter: @rallyyorkshire