MOFFETT READY TO PLAY IT SMART IN HIS QUEST FOR BRITISH RALLY TITLE
Irish Tarmac champion wants to win the BRC despite his unfamiliarity with some events
Irish Tarmac champion Sam Moffett believes that drivers who have a clear strategy and can play smart over the course of this season’s British Rally Championship will be best placed to challenge for the title.
Moffett is one of several Irish drivers to commit to the BRC in the absence of the ITRC in 2021, a list that includes his brother Josh, Desi Henry, Joe McGonigle and Garry Jennings.
This will be the first time Moffett has committed to a full BRC programme, although he has experience of the Cambrian Rally and is familiar with the nature of the Ulster Rally stages.
“That is going to help me,” Moffett told MN, “so those are two rallies I think I can do well on. The Mull Rally is another event where, with it being new to a lot of people, my experience on Tarmac can help.
“Those rallies I’m not familiar with it will be a case of trying to grind out a good points-scoring result. It’s about pacing yourself and playing it smart because I’d rather be BRC champion than a rally winner.
“I think the opening round at Oulton Park could throw up a few surprises as to who finishes where for the simple reason there are no jumps or surface changes. That suits some drivers better than others.”
Moffett – who will be navigated by Keith Moriarty – has yet to decide on which Rally2 car he will campaign. However, these have been narrowed down to a Ford Fiesta, a Hyundai i20 or Volkswagen Polo.
“All of them have their strong points but they also have question marks as well,” he said. “The VW no longer has factory support, so that immediately puts a doubt in your mind.
“It’s the package I am after, really,” he added. “There is no point in having the best car, the fastest car, and the team that is running it is one of the worst there is. I can’t justify buying a car at the minute, so going out and hiring one from a team I know will do a good job is the most sensible option for me.”