BTRDA Rally Series releases new calendar and includes Welsh events

The BTRDA Rally Series has announced next year’s calendar with the same eight events used in 2016.

The Cambrian Rally remains in its season-opening slot having replaced the Wyedean for the first time in 2016, while the Trackrod again reprises the season finale slot. The Nicky Grist is again due to be a round of the BTRDA and British Rally Championship.

Like the BRC calendar, the slate also includes events in Wales that take in Natural Resources Wales’ land, despite the lack of a deal between the sport’s governing body, the MSA, and NRW over the usage of forests roads. The two bodies are currently in a stalemate over the NRW’S increase in costs for the master agreement, which the MSA is reluctant to pay.

Championship manager Howard Wilcock said the lack of a master agreement couldn’t halt the progress of a calendar for next year.

“It’s an unknown situation. We’ve recognised that, like everybody else, but that can’t stop us deciding on a calendar for next year,” said Wilcock. “We’re hoping for a satisfactory outcome and we have to support the events that support the BTRDA. We support the events in Wales.”

Wilcock added that supporting the events was one of the reasons behind the calendar staying similar to its 2016 guise.

“It’s a fact that the events have been with us for a long time, they’re good events and they fit the bill, one day forest events.

“Competitors are able to do them within a reasonable budget.

“There isn’t that much ‘new’ about it but it’s the right calendar for the BTRDA Rally Series.”

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National Editor Jack Benyon will also compete in a Fiesta ST, co-driven by Paul Hudson.