Former F1 medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins dies aged 84.

Sid Watkins, Formula 1's former FIA Medical Delegate, who was key in making the sport as safe as it is today, has died.

RIP Sid.

BRC creates a stir!!

Following the announcement last week of proposed new technical regulations for the 2013 MSA British Rally Championship, the interest from manufacturers, their representatives and professional motorsport teams has been unprecedented.

Prodrive is the first company to publicly announce its intention to take advantage of the new rules. The Banbury firm's Business Development Director Richard Taylor was reported in Motorsport News (29/08/2012), confirming that it is evaluating an R3 car based on the Mini Cooper.

The new regulations provide an opportunity for cars to be brought to the 2013 championship and run alongside currently homologated cars under a controlled passport system, which will serve as a reference in a similar way to FIA homologation papers.

Championship Manager Mark Taylor:

"It's incredible; my phone has rung off the hook with calls of congratulations on the new concept and interest in new cars across all of the classes.

"We see the changes as a real positive, providing a shot in the arm for the sport during these difficult economic times. It provides car manufacturers and professional motorsport companies with a route to market; an opportunity to promote and develop their products without the hefty commercial upfront investment required by current homologations.

“These rules could be adopted in other championships around the world. We have also made this move to encourage manufacturers to experience the sport, to compete with their products that are akin to those that are being sold in their showrooms and in the longer term may ultimately increase the amount of cars being officially FIA homologated."


For more information on the MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk

BRC's 2012 Pirelli UK Star Driver prize announced

Italian tyre firm Pirelli has agreed terms with Citroën Racing to run a Citroën DS3 R3 as part of next yearxxs highly-regarded MSA British Rally Championship Pirelli UK Star Driver scheme.

The Pirelli Star Driver programme was set up in 2008 to reward aspiring rally drivers with a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in a full British Rally Championship campaign courtesy of Pirelli.

Based on merit, one driver is selected for the Pirelli Star Driver shootout from each of the six qualifying rallies in this year's British Rally Championship. Drivers can only be selected on one occasion with an automatic nomination awarded to the British Junior Rally Champion.

Drivers who have already been selected for this year's prestigious shootout include Mark Donnelly, Matthew Cathcart, Tom Cave, Jussi Kumpumäki, Osian Pryce and recently-crowned British Junior Rally Champion, Garry Pearson. One final driver will be selected to join the line-up and will be picked following their performance on the championship's closing round, International Rally Yorkshire.

Pirelli UK motorsport operations manager, Matthew Corby, commented:
"We are looking forward to working with Citroën in 2013 and running the Citroën DS3 R3 for the very first time. The car has proved itself as a worthy contender for winning championship titles and we feel our Pirelli Star Driver package for 2013 is the best yet. "

The Citroën DS3 R3 is the perfect stepping stone to help a national driver make the transition onto the world stage, and we hope this year's winner will follow in the footsteps of our former Pirelli Star Driver Elfyn Evans who continues to lead this year's Pirelli-supported WRC Academy.

The 1.6-litre Citroën DS3 R3 features the same structural design and appearance as the production model, with the production steel body shell reinforced by a welded, multi-point roll cage. The turbocharged DS3 R3 has benefitted from the extensive expertise acquired by Citroën Racing through its involvement in the World Rally Championship and the car is currently helping Citroën UK to lead the way in this year's British Manufacturers' Rally Championship.

Corby concluded:
"I would also like to say a big thank you to TEG Sport who have done such a tremendous job over the past four years in providing our Pirelli Star Drivers with such a competitive and reliable car. "

Details regarding the 2012 Pirelli Star Driver shootout will be announced at the final round of the year, International Rally Yorkshire (28-29 September).

For more information on the MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk

A useful website for fuel prices

MOTORSPORT AT CRYSTAL PALACE RETURNS FOR 2012

Click here for more information on this headline

For updates on the REIS Championship News go to the REIS News page

Gareth Vickers ........

........has passed his motorcycle test.

Congratulations to him and welcome to the world of the Motorcyclist.

Gareth tells me that has arrived in beautiful sunny Perth ;-)

Click here to view the 'Club Members' page and updates on Gareths' exploits and dilemas!!

He carried on to tell me that he is preparing to fly out to work tomorrow. Pah, how the other half live.

He also has been busy trying to find a place to live etc. Although I have found the time to check out what motorbikes are available, cant go too long without a toy!

Added by Wilberforce