The 3 year agreement with Pirelli sees the BRCĀ introducing a prize fund to be spread across all classes in the ChampionshipĀ with every finisher receiving prize money on every round.Ā Ā
In addition to the substantial prize fund, PirelliĀ have introduced a driver development scheme unique to the BRC which, underĀ their direct support, will see the winner being progressed in their careers. Ā
The move to a single tyre supplier for theĀ championship is the latest step made by the BRC to ensure a level playingĀ field to best showcase talent and ability in the six-round championship. ItĀ comes after the successful introduction at the start of the 2006 season of aĀ control fuel and Group N regulations.
āA ground breaking packageā is how BRC Manager MarkĀ Taylor described Pirelliās announcement to support the BRC. āThis initiativeĀ will see significant benefits and a huge prize fund being ploughed back to theĀ competitors further highlighting future talent and provide even closerĀ competition on the stages.ā
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The key benefitsĀ are:
ā¢Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā FixedĀ cost tyres supplied on each of theĀ events.
ā¢Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā EqualĀ tyre availability and performance for everyĀ competitor.
ā¢Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Pirelli Star Driver scheme which encompasses every class in the BRC willĀ select a āstarā winner from each of the first five events. Going head to headĀ in a final shootout competition, the eventual winner will receive a fullyĀ funded drive in a potential championship winning, top spec car in the 2008Ā Championship
ā¢Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Cash prize fund for BRC registered competitors in every class. BRC classĀ winners on every rally can win up to Ā£500, runner-up places reducing down toĀ Ā£100 for every finisher in each class in each rallyĀ
ā¢Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā IncentivesĀ for foreign drivers to enter and compete in theĀ Championship
ā¢Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Pirelli marketing enhancements and increased mediaĀ profile
Pirelli won the tender process to supplyĀ Britainās most exciting and dynamic motor sport championship after bids wereĀ submitted by five tyre manufacturers.Ā
BRC Manager, Mark Taylor says:
āNever before in theĀ British Rally Championship have competitors been provided with a chance to winĀ cash prizes of this magnitude, importantly these will be structured to supportĀ all classes and registered finishers.
āThe Pirelli Star driver scheme will be selected by aĀ majority objective set of criteria that will be known by everyone andĀ published by the end of the year. A project to identify true future talent,Ā the principal and importantly the winner could come from any class in the BRCĀ field. The inaugural winner will receive a fully funded drive in the 2008 BRC,Ā but in future years we have not ruled out prizes that could see Star DriversĀ progress to the World stage.
āThe joint Pirelli and BRC package for the 2007 seasonĀ sees the benefits of a control single make tyre, providing reward forĀ competitors, investment in Championship promotion and an undertaking fromĀ Pirelli to provide incentives to foreign drivers from Europe to come and enterĀ the BRC.ā
Paul Hembrey, Pirelli MotorsportĀ Director, says:
āPirelli has over 30 years of rally heritage, and isĀ delighted to be chosen as the tyre partner for the reinvigorated BRC. TheĀ focus on group N machinery has created a substantial interest in the Tesco 99Ā Octane MSA British Rally Championship, and working together with BRC, PirelliĀ wishes to promote not only the championship, but also the development ofĀ future International Rally Stars. This is an exciting time for BritishĀ rallying, and one that will evolve the BRC to once again be the premiumĀ national rally championship in the world. ā
In keeping with Pirelliās most distinctive hallmarks,Ā innovation and research, the deal sees the very latest tyre technology beingĀ used in what is Britainās most exciting and dynamic motor sportĀ championship.
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