RALLYWERVIK ENTRIESFORBRITS
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Both of CA1 Sport’s leading British Rally Championship Skoda Fabia R5 drivers David Bogie and Rhys Yates will compete on Rally van Wervik this year as a preparation for Rally Ypres.
The squad conducted a two-day test last year instead of doing Wervik, but have decided to use the June 8/9 event to acclimatise to Belgian asphalt before Ypres on June 21-23.
“I think it’s important we do Wervik and continue to learn about Belgium,” said Bogie, who crashed out two s tages into last year’s Ypres Rally. We have a test before Ypres as well, so we’re giving ourselves every chance to be competitive this year.
“One of our regrets last year was not going to Wervik, a couple of guys went over and sang the rally’s praises and said that the stages were very representative. It’s a no-brainer really and we’re looking forward to it.”
Wervik is also a round of the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship this year, boosting the British contingent on next month’s event.
CA1 Sport team boss Martin Wilkinson believes it was a mistake to miss Wervik last year, and that it should mean his drivers will be fighting for BRC honours come Ypres.
“We did a two-day test last year, but I think we would have benefited more from doing Wervik,” he said. “We’ll still do a stand-alone test.
“It’s unique in Belgium, the set-up of the cars is different there to anywhere else. It’s a completely different set-up.
“The way you drive on those roads is also different to how you would drive on normal Tarmac roads, with the surface and the cuts.”
Yates added: “It’s a good chance to get used to Belgium Tarmac again as it’s a bit different over there.
“Ypres was a brilliant event last year with all the people in the square, it’s got a brilliant atmosphere. This should be a good event to settle in before Ypres.”
Also on the Wervik entry list among BRC runners is Fabia driver Marty Mccormack and reigning champion Keith Cronin.
Prestone Motorsport News Junior BRC driver Marty Gallagher and Cadet Class driver Johnnie Mulholland have entered the event too.