The iconic Oulton Park Circuit in Cheshire will provide the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship with a history-making opening round of the 2021 season as the series commences with the Neil Howard Stages in association with Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors on 31 May.
Despite announcing its six-round calendar of events recently, British Rally Championship organisers have since been offered the opportunity to open the season at the Cheshire circuit in May, bringing an additional asphalt event to the schedule.
The impressive circuit played host to the opening special stage of Wales Rally GB in 2019 which provided a unique and challenging backdrop for the best rally drivers in the world.
That setting will now provide the starting point for the BRC elite in what is sure to be a close-run first round thanks to its tightly-packed yet unforgivable format.
The BRC top-flight will go head-to-head with the popular Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship series regulars for the first time, offering a ramped-up look to the event and the race for overall honours.
British Rally Championship manager Iain Campbell said: “The British Rally Championship is delighted to be opening its 2021 season at such a prestigious location as Oulton Park and breaking new ground for the series at the same time.
“The BRC prides itself on being a progressive series with each event in the calendar offering a unique characteristic and the Neil Howard Stages is certainly going to provide a very different start to the 2021 season for our championship contenders.
“Of course, rallying at a circuit is not a new concept with the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship enjoying a successful number of seasons now and events like ACI Rally Monza on the WRC tour have proven that the format can work well.
“We have been working hard on delivering a calendar worthy of the British title and it’s clear in the past 18 months or so we all have to step outside of our comfort zone. The opportunity to get the season underway in May is very appealing, I’m very excited to see how the BRC goes at Oulton.”
Updated 2021 British Rally Championship calendar
- Round 1 – 31 May: Neil Howard Stages in assoc. with Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors
- Round 2 – 10 July: Nicky Grist Stages, Builth Wells
- Round 3 – 14 August: Grampian Forest Stages, Banchory
- Round 4 – 24/25 September: Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, Scarborough
- Round 5 – 8/9 October: Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally, Isle of Mull
- Round 6 – 30 October: Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally, Llandudno
Round 7 – 20 November: Today’s Ulster Rally, Newry