Circuit Rally Championship: A Unique Series

The Protyre Circuit Rally Championship (CRC) is a winter rally championship held on race circuits across the UK which have been modified for the use of a time trial based events in a multi stage format where drivers aim to complete each stage as quickly as possible.

Very much in contrast to most other rally series across the world, the closed circuit format is unique to the series where most championships run on public roads which had been closed off for the event. The championship is a winter based series which runs on circuits like Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Donighton Park and more where a range of different cars and classes are on offer. From the top flight modern Rally2 Ford Fiesta's and Citroen C3's to the classics of the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Nova to the weird and wonderful of the Mazda MX5 and Darrian GTR+. The series is packed with unique cars contesting both the overall and class championships.

The series runs single day events across a nine round calendar. Three rounds into the championship and the top 4 drivers in the overall standings are all from different classes. Class A driver and class championship leader John Stone leads the overall championship 11 points clear of Class E driver and class championship leader Chris Woodhouse. Following them in third and fourth in the championship is Class D leader Michael Jowers and Class C leader Alasdair Stables.

The overall championship being wide open across whichever class the drivers run in give each event a real difficulty for any driver as everyone is a threat to you losing points rather than just the individuals in your class.

This weekend is at Brands Hatch in Kent where compared to last season there is some differences to the stage layout. The organisers initially planned to use the rally school and support paddock for part of the stages but due to the conditions the stages will stick to the Indy circuit and pitlane areas to maximise variation in layout.

There is expected to be 82 entries for the event so with a number of splits and merges for the drivers to contest with, drivers will have to be careful with coming across slower traffic or incidents which had happened ahead.