WRC boss overjoyed with viewing numbers for Wales Rally GB on terrestrial television
Billy Coleman contenders narrowed to eight
Returning Wales Rally GB’S powerstage to terrestrial television brought back fans at a record level last month.
More than 733,000 viewers watched the live running of the Brenig test on Channel 5 – a number which represented a 71 per cent rise on the viewing figures for the same slot in the preceding 13 weeks.
Across the board, Channel 5’s WRC numbers were 44 per cent higher for Wales than at the start of the season.
WRC Promoter Oliver Ciesla said: “It has been many years since UK fans had the opportunity to enjoy live World Rally Championship action on a mainstream free-to-air network.
“We’re delighted with the audience figures from both the Sunday powerstage and also Channel 5’s highlights show the following evening.”
The nominees for this year’s Billy Coleman Award have been announced, with eight drivers in the reckoning for a prize of over £40,000.
The five nominees are Cork ‘20’ winner Josh Moffett, Ford Escort Mk2 frontrunner Gary Kiernan, Irish Tarmac R2 champion Callum Devine, Southern Championship frontrunner Eric Calnan and Laois Mini Stages winner Chris Armstrong. They are joined by National Junior champion Gary Mcnamee, Shane Kenneally of the National Forest Championship and wildcard Patrick O’brien, who was a finalist along with Josh Moffett last year.
The nominees were interviewed yesterday (Tuesday) and the winner will be announced today. The winner will receive the prestigious Billy Coleman Trophy on December 3, won by Junior British rally champion Rob Duggan in 2015.