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2009 Historic Stage Rally Challenge and Mini 50 Cup unveiled

Posted on Thursday, 13 November 2008 11:59AM by Paul Lawrence - HRCR

The HRCR Historic Stage Rally Challenge, supported by TR Enterprises, will be back with an extended range of events in 2009. The series, new for 2008, proved an immediate hit as Ford Anglias, Austin Healeys, Mini Coopers and Lotus Cortinas took to the stages.

In addition, a special Mini 50 Cup will be run alongside the Historic Challenge next season in a bid to get more Minis back into action to mark the 50th anniversary of the model. The Mini remains one of the most iconic rally cars of the 1960s, but the number of cars active in stage rallying has dwindled in recent times.

The two series will share the same eight rallies, but will be distinct championships. While the Historic Challenge continues to focus on the category 1 cars (pre '68), the Mini 50 Cup will span all three categories, so that cars from up to 1981 could be in action. Only the category 1 Minis will be able to score points in both series, although no one crew will be able to win both titles.

Conceived by the Historic Rally Car Register, with the support of club president and Mini rallying legend Paddy Hopkirk, the Mini 50 Cup will run over the same eight events as the HRCR Historic Stage Rally Challenge.

"All the Minis have disappeared," said Clive King, one of the people behind the idea and a Mini rally driver since 1984. "They just need a bit of encouragement to get back out. Everyone knows what a Mini is and this is a fantastic thing to do."

"We want to try and get as many Minis back onto the stages as possible," said Paul Loveridge of the HRCR. "We've already had a lot of interest from potential competitors; we could have over 15 cars out on some event." Dunlop and Revolution Wheels have pledged trade support.

Minis from all historic periods, running up to 1981, will compete in three capacity classes; up to 1000cc, 1001-1300cc and over 1301cc as well as all eight-port engined cars. Current estimates are that as many as 50 classic Minis are stage-rally prepared.

The eight-event calendar will cover four gravel rallies and four asphalt events, starting with the Red Kite Historic Stages on Sunday 18 January.

The provisional 2009 dates are:
1 January 18, The Red Kite Stages, Wales (gravel)
2 March 15, The Robin Hood Stages, Nottinghamshire (gravel)
3 April 18, Get it Sideways Stages, Down Ampney (sealed)
4 May 3, The Welsh Rally, Epynt (asphalt)
5 May 25, Millbrook Stages (asphalt)
6 June 20, Rally of the Midlands (asphalt)
7 August 15, Neath Valley Stages, Wales (gravel)
8 September 26, Trackrod Rally Yorkshire (gravel)

The co-ordinator of the Historic Stage Rally Challenge is Steve Suckling, who can be contacted by e-mail at: steve@hrcr.co.uk

TR Enterprises specialises in Triumph TR sports cars, offering parts, restoration, competition preparation, engines and drivelines. More details at www.trenterprises.com

Issued by Paul Lawrence (tel 01952 510382 or e-mail press@hrcr.co.uk) on behalf of the Historic Rally Car Register (www.hrcr.co.uk)