STRONG ENTRY FORMS A ASPHALT SERIES, COLE WILL DEFEND TITLE

Frontrunners temp ted back to refreshed series for 2018

The returning MSA Asphalt Championship has already received a strong entry for its opening round at Epynt in March, with six-time champion Damian Cole and fellow frontrunner Rob Tout among the latest drivers to sign up. The series had a hiatus in 2017, and has returned with a new calendar, sponsors and prize structure to attract competitors.

While the series expects many more competitors to sign up to on the day of the March 11 event, 42 of the competitors on the Tour of Epynt have signalled intent to fight for the championship, and more appealingly to the organisers, it has attracted a number of lower-powered front-wheel-drive cars as well as the usual WRC and Darrian entries like Damian Cole and Ashley Field.

Cole, who won the championship the last time it ran in 2016, returns with his Ford Fiesta RS WRC, which he used to win that title.

The calendar was among the key reasons for the Welshman’s return; new rounds in 2018 include the Down Rally and Rally van Wervik.

“I think it was about time it had a refresh, and it’s good that there’s a couple of different rallies this year,” said Cole. “I like adding a round in Belgium, that gives it something different.”

The Fiesta has been rebuilt ready for the season, and Cole – along with new co-driver Jamie Edwards – will head to Belgium for the Boucles Clavieroises next month to warm-up for Belgium asphalt and the season ahead.

Fellow Welshman Tout – who will be partnered by Dylan James – will drive his Mitsubishi Lancer E10 purchased in 2016.