Inside Rally

Some of rallying’s most memorable machines will be adding to the spectacular show at next week’s Wales Rally GB.

Britain has hosted a round of the FIA World Rally Championship ever since the sport’s premier series was introduced in 1973 and a selection of eye-catching cars from the four decades since will be taking part in static displays and evocative demonstration runs during this year’s event.

The full list of classic contenders from past generations on parade is impressive – it includes the much-loved Audi Sport quattro S1, Ford Escort Cosworth, Lancia 037, Lancia Delta S4, MG Metro 6R4, Peugeot 205 T16, Renault 5 Maxi Turbo plus a pair of Subaru Imprezas rallied by Colin McRae and Richard Burns. In total around 20 legendary cars are being provided by the Slowly Sideways UK organisation.

These wonderful collections will be on show at the Service Park in Deeside as well as at the new, family-friendly RallyFest Stages at Sweet Lamb on Friday and Kinmel Park on Sunday, when the cavalcade will also be in action performing on the Great Orme immediately before the main event.

The biggest gathering, though, will be at the Chirk Castle RallyFest on Saturday, which will host both dramatic demonstration runs on the special stage and a static display featuring the full line-up of automotive idols from the past.

At just 24, Elfyn Evans is one of rallying’s top prospects for future success. The young Welshman, whose father Gwyndaf Evans was British Rally Champion in 1996, will be driving in the WRC2 category with the Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team and starts next week’s Wales Rally GB as one of the firm favourites for some welcome home success.

Photo:D.Darrall

With the UK’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship now based at the new purpose-built Service Park in north Wales, Evans is confident that the organiser’s hopes of refreshing the event will deliver serious results.

“The service facility is fantastic and, hopefully, it will open up to a whole new audience,” he continued. “When the rally came here in 2011, we saw massive crowds and the work is being done to bring people back. The most special thing, though, has to be the stages. Having grown up around some of the best stages in the world, and with this year’s revised route, that’s what’s going to be most special for me. All in all it should be a well-attended event with a great atmosphere. That’s why I am really looking forward to it.”

Thierry Neuville has been confirmed as lead driver of Hyundai Motorsport’s for 2014.

Photo:D.Darrall

It was confirmed today that Neuville has signed a contract for Hyundai. It is said to be a 3 year deal, which the Korean manufacturer says represents a serious commitment by both parties to build towards long-term success in the WRC.

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal, Michel Nandan said: “Thierry is having a fantastic 2013 season and is proving himself to be one of the most exciting young drivers in WRC. His raw speed, driving skill and dynamic approach to rallying make him the ideal lead driver for Hyundai.”   “By signing a driver of Thierry’s talent, we can show that Hyundai’s WRC engagement is serious and focussed on long-term success.”  

“It is also great recognition for the work that the entire team has carried out in such a short time. We both share similar values and objectives to win the championship in the long-term so we are proud to have Thierry in the team and as an ambassador for the Hyundai Motorsport brand,” he added.    Neuville, along with his co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul, will pilot Hyundai’s new i20 world rally car in all 13 WRC events in 2014, beginning with the team’s debut at the Monte-Carlo Rally in January. It will be the Belgian driver’s third consecutive WRC season.   Neuville believes that the new deal with Hyundai is ‘the perfect fit’ for him. “It is a young, emerging and ambitious manufacturer team with long-term objectives for championship success and I have long held aspirations of driving for a manufacturer team,” he explained.

“I was impressed with the team’s facility, their approach to the rally programme and their clear potential. I hope my two years of experience in WRC will be beneficial to the team as we build a harmonious working partnership. We know we have a steep learning curve ahead of us in our first season but I am convinced we will have a successful future together.”

Source: WRC.com

Following the news that Thierry Neuville has agreed terms to move to Hyundai in 2014, M-Sport has released this press-Release:

 M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, made the following comment:

“We are obviously disappointed that Thierry [Neuville] has made the decision to go to Hyundai after a strong performance from all the team this year.  However, now that he has made the decision, our focus turns to Wales Rally GB and securing his second position in the drivers’ championship. Once this goal is achieved we will then re-direct our attention to the 2014 season. We are speaking to a number of drivers about potential options. M-Sport has a strong history of developing drivers in the WRC and we look forward to announcing our 2014 programme in the near future.”

Thierry Neuville said:

“It has been a fantastic year in 2013 as we have achieved more than hoped for at the start of the year. I would like to thank all of the team who have done a great job – the car has been great with no problems for 12 rallies – but the story is not finished yet. We have a chance to finish second in the drivers’ championship and we will put all our attention on this goal next week at Wales Rally GB. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Malcolm [Wilson] and the team at M-Sport for all their help and look forward to pushing for success in Wales”