‘Rokland will tackle Junior BRC in 2018’
Norwegian driver expected to run at the front
Norwegian driver Steve Rokland will compete in the Prestone Motorsport News Junior British Rally Championship in 2018, bringing the class entry for the first round up to 13.
Rokland competed in the BRC in 2012 and 2013, but hasn’t returned to the series since, having competed in the European and Norwegian championships.
“It [the BRC] has good rallies and I have a low budget,” said Rokland. “I don’t want to compete in the Norwegian Championship, I want to compete outside of Norway. I think the British Championship is looking strong.”
Rokland will be joined by British navigator Tom Woodburn, who has competed with Rokland on multiple rallies early in 2017. They will campaign the driver’s usual Peugeot 208 R2 with the aim of challenging for the championship win.
“That’s the target of course,” added Rokland. “I don’t know how fast the competition will be yet. I think it will be strong. I will do my best.
“We [Rokland and Woodburn] did two rallies last year and a few recces so I think it will be really good with him, we get on very well.”
Rokland is one of seven 208s on the entry list for the season opening Border Counties Rally in Jedburgh on March 10/11.
It has also been announced that the 208 Cup, based around the BRC for the R2 car, will award over £20,000 in prizes this year with the winner of each round receiving £2500. More prizes are also on offer further down the order.
The overall JBRC winner will receive the prize of a test in a Hyundai i20 R5 machine, while talks are ongoing over other prizes.
The JBRC had nine starters for the first event last year while just six crews started every event across the season.