New Round-Up: Brown Secures Flanders M2B Title
Brown secures Flanders M2B title
FUCHS-supported rally driver Steve Brown, together with regular co-driver Paul Stringer, secured the M2B class title in last weekend’s final round of the Flanders International Rally Challenge (FIRC) the 6 Uren Van Kortrijk rally.
One hundred and thirty-five cars took the start ramp on Saturday evening for the first leg, which was held in wet, and hence slippery, conditions. At the end of the leg, Brown/Stringer were in 28th place overall.
On Sunday, although the rain held off, the stages didn’t dry out too much in the autumn chill leaving the narrow tarmac roads in a treacherous condition, and the crew had what they described as a ‘steady’ day, as they had their eye on class points rather than overall glory.
In the end, their sensible approach paid off as they secured the M2B class title in the Flanders International Rally Challenge, and were pleased with fifth overall in the two-wheel-drive category.
Phil Squires competing on 800 mile marathon Silver Fern Rally New Zealand
Midlands driver Phil Squires (Ford Escort Mk 2) is taking part this week in the 800-mile, eight day, Silver Fern Rally in New Zealand. After the first three days, the car is now working to Phil’s liking, and the crew are holding a fine top ten position.
Also taking part is the winner of the MSA FUCHS Lubricants Historic Rally Championship, Matthew Robinson, in a similar Ford Escort Mk 2. Matthew is currently leading after the first three days.
For more information, visit https://silverfernrally.co.nz/
Freddie impresses in Thailand
Karting hotshot Freddie Housley was given the amazing opportunity of racing in The Asia Finals in Thailand on the weekend.
Off the back of his performance in the World Finals, his team principle at PSR International Motorsport Academy, Piers Sexton, put together a package for Freddie to race in the competition.
Backed by FUCHS Silkolene, Freddie did well to qualify in P13.
He managed to make up places and was making good progress when he was knocked off.
Nevertheless, Freddie re-joined the race to finish 25th.
The final might not have gone to plan, but it was another incredible step on the journey for a racer who is showing much potential.
Ciceley Motorsport bags Rowbottom
Kidderminster-based Renault Clio Cup ace Dan Rowbottom will join the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in 2019.
Dan will graduate from the Renault Clio UK Cup to the BTCC with FUCHS Lubricants-backed Ciceley Motorsport. That will mean Dan lines up in one of the team’s Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars for the 2019 season.
RowBo was a triple race winner last season on his way to fourth place in the Renault Clio UK Cup and has been eager to graduate to the BTCC.
“Money has always been tight and so to join the BTCC grid is a dream come true,” said Dan.
The Morganator strikes again
FUCHS ambassador Adam Morgan rounded off his 2018 Chinese Touring Car Championship with BAIC on a high after winning the first race of the weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit.
That success came after a fantastic qualifying session put him in third place and in a great place to challenge for the victory.
Race two might not have gone as well as Adam would have hoped with an eighth place finish after an on-track incident pushed him further back, but nevertheless it was still a great way to finish his time in China this year.
The next time Adam Morgan will be racing will be with us at the Gulf 12H endurance race at the Yas Marina Circuit in just under a months’ time.
CV Racing welcomes new team members
CV Racing, backed by FUCHS Silkolene, has announced they will be joined by racer Emma Field as mechanic and new team member for 2019.
Reserve list opens as Roger Albert Clark Rally hits 150 entries
A reserve entry list has been opened for the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally after the capacity of 130 deposits from UK crews was easily exceeded last week. The biggest and toughest UK special stage rally will start on November 21 2019.
The response to the 2019 event has been overwhelming and 144 UK entry deposits have now been taken by the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club. Six of the 20 places reserved for overseas crews have also been taken, to give an incredible total of 150 deposits to date.
