MSUK Club Bulletin Latest; Please read the Bulletin attached. Especially the Rule changes and in particular the newly implemented changes to G13 Signing On. Follow the link here for more information

Harry Walshaw secures place on Motorsport Co-Driver Academy:  The Walshaw family and De Lacy Motor Club are pleased to announce that club member Harry Walshaw has been accepted onto the elite co-driver academy training programme. Recently he spent time at MSport in the Lake District in a learning environment with MSUK mentors including Nicky Grist. This was his first time compiling his own pace notes and not relying solely on commercially available ones. Meanwhile he also continues to bag increasing amounts of co-driver seat time, and with plenty of trophies, (see article below). At the weekend he sat alongside  Jamie McBain in the lovely Peugeot 205 Maxi, in which they came home 6th overall and 1st in class D. It has been decided that he will now  need a bigger shelf for his ever increasing trophy haul.

De Lacy Duo have a great day: What a result for the De Lacy motor club duo, Jake Briggs and his co driver harry Walshaw at the weekend on the excellent East Riding Stages , organised and promoted by our friends at Beverley Motor Club. Despite starting at car number 76 they managed a fantastic 17th overall and a applaudable 1st in Class C award. They battled throughout the day with the slippery and often tricky East Riding lanes to bring the superb Ford Escort MKII home unscathed. The car built and prepared by Barry, Jake's dad,  supported as ever by TEI Engineering serviced by De Lacy member Dave May and Barry briggs, the car ran well to bring them across the finish line in the Market Square in Beverley on Sunday afternoon.
Congratulations to the two of them and the whole team who contributed to this result. 
In Car Footage is available via our Facebook feed here.

Big stars step up to join Roger Albert Clark Rally 2023:- The following stars of the worlds of rallying and TV will be taking part in this years version of the Roger Albert Clark Rally.

Oliver Solberg confirmed for 2023 Roger Albert Clark Rally

World Rally Championship star Oliver Solberg will drive a Ford Escort RS1800 on this November’s Roger Albert Clark Rally.

Oliver’s father Petter will lend his son the family Escort Mk2 and the 21-year-old will seize the opportunity to drive some of the stages his family has been talking about for generations.

“Before I talk about anything,” said Oliver, “I have to say a big thank you to Phil Mills. Phil has helped so much to make this happen, getting everything ready for us. It’s a fantastic opportunity.

“Unless there’s something a little bit unexpected, my season with WRC2 is going to end at Rally Chile next month. I know there’s a big gap before the start of next year and I was looking for events to do to keep me driving and keep me in the seat. I was talking with Phil and he suggested Roger Albert Clark.

“It’s always been a dream to do this rally. I heard so many stories about the rally and the stages which are used. I was telling my Grandpa [Per-Inge Walfridsson] about it the other day and he straight away said: “You will be going to the Kielder forest; this is one tough place to compete!”

“It’s so cool to hear these stories. Everybody heard so much about the old RAC Rally, it feels like we’re going back in time a little bit and doing this. If we’re going to do a rally like this, it has to be in the Escort. I’m very grateful to dad for letting me drive his car. I will do a day testing before we start, which I’m kind of needing – I think I did around six kilometres on snow and about the same on gravel in this car before. I need some experience and feeling before we start.

“Both of my eyes are absolutely on the finish. This will be the longest rally I ever competed on. It’s going to be fairly tough: five days and I think around 40% of the route in the dark in a car with no power steering – I’m going to be in the gym a fair bit from now until the start!

“Seriously though, this is about having fun – the result doesn’t matter. It’s about driving and just enjoying the sport in a car and on roads which are as legendary as each other. It’s really a dream to be doing this, so thanks again for Phil and everybody who’s made it happen.”

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said: “We are thrilled that Oliver and his family have chosen to enter our event. It will add another element to a fantastic entry list and we hope that Oliver enjoys the rally. We’d also like to thank Phil Mills for his role is bringing this plan together.”

 Chris Harris (Top Gear) 

Journalist and TV presenter Chris Harris will return for his second attempt at the Roger Albert Clark Rally in November when he will compete at the wheel of a Porsche 911.

Harris and co-driver Brynmor Pierce finished tenth in the Open Rally in 2021 in their Ford Escort Mk2, despite being one of the crews caught by Storm Arwen. They spent much of the Friday night in the car when locked in Kielder forest by fallen trees.

However, the respected Top Gear presenter is up for a repeat challenge and has now made plans to contest this year’s event in a 3-litre Porsche 911 run by Tuthill Team Porsche. Team boss Richard Tuthill, who is also competing on the event, is one of Chris's oldest friends.

Though best known for his role on Top Gear, Harris has an extensive background as a journalist and racer and has shown his ability in a very diverse range of cars and events. However, he has a special affinity to Porsches and is eager to sample a 3-itre 911 in the forests of England, Scotland and Wales.

Harris said: “We’re looking forward to the event again as we have unfinished business from 2021. Our choice of car this year is something I'm more used to. Lots of sideways motoring planned and who doesn't enjoy the sight and sound of a 911? The long last stage looks to be a stern test and as long as we don't have to spend a night in the car again, we're both up for the challenge.''

 The latest well known driver to enter is none other then Kris Meeke;

Former WRC ace Kris Meeke is the latest star name driver to be confirmed for this November’s Roger Albert Clark Rally.

The Northern Irishman will drive a freshly built historic specification Ford Escort Mk2 from the Wales Motorsport team on the November 23-27 rally, which will cover 350 stage miles in the forests of Wales, Scotland and England.

Meeke joins rising WRC star Oliver Solberg in the entry list for the event that re-creates the spirit and atmosphere of the original RAC Rallies of the 1970s. He will be part of an eight-car team from the Wales Motorsport squad of Meirion Evans.

“For sure it's going to be a huge challenge,” Meeke said. “I have a real thing from my childhood for old school rallies and the way it used to be. To say I'm excited to do it is an understatement as it's been on my bucket list for a long time, but the opportunity to do it has never presented itself before. This is the culmination of several months of planning with Meirion Evans from Wales Motorsport.”

Forest special stages in the dark and using organisers’ route notes rather than making his own will be just two of the challenges he'll face on the event. Meeke will be co-driver by Irishman Noel O’Sullivan, who challenged for the lead of the 2021 rally alongside Osian Pryce.

Meeke, five times a WRC rally winner, added: “A WRC rally is nearly 200 miles in three days and it is intense. But this is five days and it's 350 miles. That's what makes it special and the amount of driving in the dark is something special as well. It’s going to be a huge challenge and it is going to be awesome.”

Meeke has limited experience in Ford Escorts but says it was the obvious choice for the event. “I've driven an Escort a few times. Maybe not so much in recent years but back when I was involved with Colin McRae.”

The dialogue between Meeke and Evans started back in the spring. “Meirion does build a very, very good car so it should be a strong package. I've seen the attention to detail on the cars he builds.”
This rally will once again prove to be one of the biggest events of the year.

Geoff Round: Once again I have the sad task of informing you of the death of another of our long standing Club members, Geoff Round, who sadly passed away this week after a battle with cancer. Geoff was the Clerk of the Course of the Kall Kwik National Rally  for many years until he stepped down after a tragic accident on the event one year, when a competitor was killed. The ensuing coroners court case and the guilt which he felt after the accident took it's toll and Geoff stood down. A short while later he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and moved away to be closer to his family. 

Geoff came to my notice during the 80s, when he was in charge of his local Scout group who were in attendance at the International Rally one year volunteering to take money for parking.

As a trained draughtsman / architect he  saw an opportunity to offer his services to the then Clerk of the Course of the International event to improve the standard of the road book. Having been given this chance he never looked back and became an integral part of both the event as an Assistant Clerk of the Course and De Lacy Motor Club as an organiser and competitor alongside Robert Lodge.

I had the pleasure of driving him around on many occasions when he was completing the route recce in order to draw the road book for the international and later the national rallies. I have many happy memories of our time spent together on events. In particular I remember driving him on the Trackrod one year, in his company Vitara. After a lunchtime visit to HQ at the Fox and Rabbit [and a couple of Guinness] he said to me, "why don't we have "a go" in the next stage" always up for a challenge I obliged and it was when we looked at stage times later, we realised that we'd beaten the times of the last two cars on the road!!
Many others will have their memories of Geoff too. I am only saddened to think that latterly I'd lost touch. 
He is survived by his two sisters.
RIP my friend, I hope that you are enjoying the craic with the rest of our members whom we have lost in recent years.

Chris Lord: It is with sadness that the Club has to report the death of an old friend. Chris Lord was a long standing member of the club and he sadly passed away last week. He was always to be seen at the bar in the Clubhouse every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday chatting about all things motorsport. He had a wicked sense of humour and was a big character.
Chris had an illustrious motorsport career and will be best remembered for the vast array of cars he drove. (Ed- I remember him best in the Chevette and especially the big Mazda RX7  to name but two). 

If you would like to learn more about Chris' rallying history, then search the eWRC database here.

As yet we have no details of funeral dates, but will aim to keep you updated. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.

RIP friend.

To see him in action commentating on the 1986 National Breakdown Rally follow the link on the picture.

DVLA Tax renewal changes! Beware you don't fall foul of the changes;

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has brought into force a change in the way it reminds people when their car tax is due for renewal, with the rules in force from the start of August 2023. Drivers can now opt for digital tax reminders instead of waiting for a paper slip to be sent in the post.

Drivers will be able to set up vehicle tax reminders by email and text message. Road users can also choose to stop getting tax reminders sent through the post if they wish. Motorists can also view their driving licence information on the service, including how many penalty points are on their record.

Set up your account here

Planning ahead! Mull 2024 date announced

Whilst preparations are underway for October’s 51^st running of the legendary Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally, organisers are now able to reveal that next year’s edition will take place on the 11-13 October 2024.

Announcing the following year’s date allows the island’s infrastructure, residents, fans, competitors, and volunteers to prepare well in advance. Thanks to the high demand to secure a place on the popular event Mull Car Club have once again unveiled the planned date well in advance to assist in these preparations for the challenging three-day blast across the closed roads of Mull.

During the early part of 2023, the organising team began a consultation to look at moving the now traditional mid-October date, back one week in a bid to take pressure away from accommodation and ferry providers, as well as better suiting landowners and estate facilitators.

However, factors including the issuing of the summer timetable for ferries, and the potential impact on other established events in the motorsport calendar, the decision was made to retain the traditional weekend that has been the mainstay of the rally for decades.

We look forward to seeing you in October and back on the island once again in 2024!

Marshals required:- Follow link to marshalling page to register to assist

Danielle Pool (15) – From Exmouth. Danielle ran in the course opening car on the Exmouth Memorial Road Rally, helps maintain her and her Dad’s Super 16 Vauxhall Corsa rally car and wants to take navigation to a professional level.

Ralph Bohannon (19) – From Bicester. Just starting out as a professional automotive photographer, he is a standard solo glider pilot. Ralph loves classic cars and aims to be fully embedded in the industry in the future.

Daisy Walker (20) – From Rugby. Loves map reading from childhood holidays. Has grown up with historic motorsport through classic motorcycle manufacturing and racing. Family friend recommended rally navigating, since then, has done several rallies, including LeJog, loves the thrill of classic car navigating with her Dad. Attained Duke of Edinburgh Gold for expedition. Goal for rallying is to win a rally, and to improve rally navigating skills.

Joseph Barnabus (18) – From Grantham. Loves old cars and is excited about developing new skills. Is a member of the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force and successfully completed his bronze air training package, he thinks multi-skilling is an essential skill for a navigator.

Jacob Tutcher (14) – From Backwell. Watched his Grandad and Mum rallying since he was little and thinks he’s quite good at map reading. Currently completing his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, he wants to develop his skills and meet fellow rally enthusiasts, his ambition is to be an RAF pilot in five years time.

Alex Metcalfe (16) – From Prudhoe. Has a lifelong passion for motorsport, has competed in Targa and Autotest events as navigator for his Dad. He has been a marshal on historic and stage rallies and has completed his Chief Scouts Gold Award where he had to navigate on foot. Wants to be involved in navigation and the sport of rallying as a whole in the future.

So, let's get the juniors involved and see them achieving this in the future!

Rally of the Tests to incorporate a "Lite" event:  A 'Lite' version, which will run behind the regular rally, in November, is designed to retain a high number of quality, flowing tests but reduces the amount of sections in the dark and the amount of map plotting required by crews. This leads to an earlier finish each evening, enabling you to relax and unwind earlier at the hotel.

RAC Rally of the Tests 'Lite' will have its own awards, and is open for sign up, or for transferring your entry now!

Seems like a great way to start at this level! Follow the link here for more details and entry information

The list of proposed changes to motorsport regulations, as recommended by the Rallies Committee can be found by following this link  [Proposed Changes].They include a number of specific changes for Targa Rallies/Road and Stage Rallies. Please read the changes for Targa  and single venue events as these are most relevant to us. It is good to see that MSUK are taking the backlog of events seriously as they now require any new events to supply them with information BEFORE any further planning etc.

The latest Motorsport UK Marshals Briefing is available by clicking on the link below. . Catch up with all the latest marshalling news and how to find events country wide needing marshals.

Dates announced for Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024:  Well the 2023 event has just finished but the dates for next year have been announced for 2024 (subject to change) so get them in your diary.

"The Festival of Speed  will take place from Thursday 11 - Sunday 14 July 2024. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday 6 November. Customers can get early access from Monday 30 October by joining the Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship."

Follow this link to get notifications

HERO and Prodrive  announce collaboration... Press release from HERO

Less than two weeks ago, at Bicester Heritage Flywheel, HERO-ERA launched a new project, named HERO-ERA 1. 

In collaboration with Prodrive, the best of advanced engineering has joined with HERO-ERA, the foremost historic rally events company to create a unique new desert challenger.

A world first for both companies, and a departure for Prodrive - HERO-ERA 1 has been transformed from a rusting 1967 Fastback Mustang to a 'State-of-the-Art' desert rally machine.

Could this new challenger have what it takes to top the 911's that so frequently win? - It's HERO-ERA Rally debut will be Badawi, so we won't be waiting long to find out!

Read the full story and see all the pictures here.

Visit HERO Website

Visit Prodrive website 

More Marshals required! Can You Help?
Worksop & District Motor Club are running a Single-Venue Stage Rally at the former WW2 airfield at Fulbeck, near Newark, on Sunday 6th August 2023.
It's a round of three regional Championships - Clubman Motorsport EMAMC, Alpha Concrete ANEMMC, and Heart of England AWMMC, so there should be plenty of interesting entries.
With experienced organisers, a venue that's not been used for 2 years and which competitors either love or hate, plus a very interesting sponsorship arrangement with Jordan Road Surfacing, it promises to be an entertaining event - oh - and it's non-spectator, too!
Obviously, for the benefit of all the signed-on marshals, I've requested gentle sunshine, a temperature of 18-19C and a slight breeze to blow away any dust, though they're not guaranteed - unlike your voucher for a breakfast bap and drink to get you started, and your entry into the Marshals' cash-prize draw!
So, if you're available and willing to help marshal at Fulbeck on Sunday 6th August, we'd love to see you there!
 Many thanks
Jon Leckenby
Chief Marshal
and
Nick Trout
Deputy Chief Marshal
WDMC Jordan Road Surfacing Stages Rally 2023

For more information follow the link to the event page here

Marshals needed - St Wilfrids Classic Rally 6th August Click on the image to open up the request from Ilkley and District Motor Club

Targa Announcement: Visit the event page here to read the full announcement.

De Lacy Motor Club Seven Dales Heritage Run - Video Slideshow here

Lucas Oil Menai Stages 11th June 2023, saw the first outing for the new Harry Walshaw Rally Team Peugeot 205. The car starting at 47 unfortunately overheated before the first stage, meaning that they had to take  a stage maximum before getting underway.  This is a shame as apart from a gearbox issue on stage 2 the car went well. But the maximum hindered them all day meaning a finish in 37th instead of what could have been 13th. Never mind Harry and Adam, next time!

Watch video here.

West Yorkshire Team at Le Mans 2023: United Autosport based at Wakefield and Garforth once again entered a team of cars for the renowned Le Mans 24 hours race. The team, previous winners of the LMP2 Category, had entered two cars for this year's attempt at victory. 

Sadly they were not to win this time around, but still brought the cars numbered 22 and 23  in 21st and 18th places respectively in 2023. Please see link below for full race results.

Catch up with the Team news on face book here

Le Mans 2023 is over, and the winners after a fifty year absence were the Official Ferrari Manufacturer Team with their  Ferrari 499P Hypercar secured a tenth outright win at the Sarthe circuit. Second place was claimed by Toyota an they were followed into third and fourth places by the Cadillac Hypercars.

First three  places as follows;

1. Ferrari 499P | Ferrari AF Corse ­| Alessandro Pier Guidi/James Calado/Antonio Giovinazzi | 342 laps 

2. Toyota GR010-Hybrid | Toyota Gazoo Racing | Sébastien Buemi/Brendon Hartley/ Ryō Hirakawa | +1:21.273 

3. Cadillac V-Series.R | Cadillac Racing | Earl Bamber/Alex Lynn/Richard Westbrook | 341 laps

Link to Official Website Here

100 years of Le Mans Here

Final results here

Heritage Run a great success: Once again the weather was very kind to Mike Brownlow and his team, running the 2023 version of the Seven Dales Heritage Run. With approximately 80  miles of country roads on OS Maps 105 and 106, the event started and finished at Sherburn Aero Club, where breakfast was available before the start. Another fantastic array of some 41 classic and modern cars turned out for the day in the Summer sunshine(?).
Congratulations to the team for another great turn out. See the event page for this year's picture gallery.

De Lacy Motor Club Members news: well the members have been busy again during the end of May and the beginning of June. We posted recently about Jake Briggs and Harry Walshaw competing on the Reivers Rally, (see item below), they had a great day finishing 3rd in Class and 27th overall. a great improvement as they were seeded at car 112 in the entry list. See their in car footage here, and here.

Corey Powell - Jones  was in action again sitting inn the silly seat alongside Ian Mitchell (Ilkley and District) on Sunday 4th June in a very lovely looking  Alfa 2000GTV. They finished the (dusty) day in 21st place, picking up a place on their seeding. See the event results here

De Lacy Targa Rally 2023 Organisers Statement: Please click the link here for the latest information about this year's event.

Borders Trek for De Lacy Crew. Starting tomorrow for one day, crews will be tackling the classic roads in and around Duns in the Scottish Borders on the Jim Clark Reivers Rally, [ run in conjunction with the National Rally]. Amongst a large field of competitors will be Jake Briggs co-driven by Harry Walshaw,  in the seeded at 112  beautifully turned out and prepared Ford Escort MKII. We all wish them well and a safe return. Follow the event live on Special Stage live on Facebook and via the official website here.

All the live results for the Reivers Rally 2023 will be available here.

Street Car Newsletter: Click the picture to sign up for the newsletter

In the latest issue of the StreetCar newsletter, we speak to Liona Theobald about her journey from AutoSOLOs to Ginetta, we head to Snetterton for a Taster Tarmac Autotest, and we team up with The Intercooler to put the brand new Kia EV6 GT through its paces.

If we don't see you at an event before the end of the year, wishing you and your loved ones a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Kind regards,

The StreetCar Team

Congratulations: - Go to Mark Jones and Corey Powell Jones, club members and regular road rally competitors who have finished 5th overall in the ANCC Road Rally Championship, well done to them both for this achievement.

Race with Respect: MSUK have launched their campaign for fairness and respect in all walks of Motorsport. Watch the Video here. 

Motorsport UK  is undertaking a review of marshal accreditation, training and grading. As a result of this review, you may have noticed a change in your accredited status for 2022 and beyond. For the full details of the new proposals, and how to respond to the survey follow the link here.

Motorsport UK launch online training portal:

In an E mail received today, MSUK launched their new Learning Hub. The test of the Email is copied here for all our members to read;

"Motorsport UK is delighted to introduce The Learning Hub – the new, online learning platform for Motorsport UK members.

Whether you are an Official, Competitor, Marshal or Event Organiser, The Learning Hub aims to provide an easy to use and time-efficient online learning experience which will help you enhance your skills and prepare you for the role you have chosen to undertake.

The new platform will enable you to read articles, watch videos, complete knowledge exercises, interactive modules and much more.

We recognise that learning and development is key to our members’ enjoyment of the Sport – and it is imperative that we provide you with the appropriate knowledge and skills in order to carry out your role to the best of your ability. The Learning Hub is just one way in which we are committed to this.

The Learning Hub launched today with content aimed at Officials. Further content will be added each month, including specific content for Marshals, Event Organisers and Competitors.

Simply log in to your Members Area on the Motorsport UK website and follow the instructions from there.

If any members have any questions, please email us at training@motorsportuk.org

Motorsport UK Learning Hub now available:

"We are pleased to announce the launch of the new, online learning platform for Motorsport UK members – The Learning Hub. Whether you are an Official, Competitor, Marshal or Event Organiser, The Learning Hub aims to provide an easy to use and time-efficient online learning experience which will help you enhance your skills and prepare you for the role you have chosen to undertake.

The Learning Hub is already in use for the Rally and Cross Country Marshal Accreditation course, however on the 30th March 2020 we will be adding further content for Officials, including modules on:

• Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Safety Awareness

• Safeguarding in Motorsport

• Introduction to Officiating

• Introduction to Marshalling

• Motorsport Theory for Trainee Officials

As well as soft-skills training on topics including Effective Communication, Team Management, Leadership Skills and much more. To access the Learning Hub, please log in to the Motorsport UK website and follow the instructions."

Article posted 5th March 2020