A packed 2017 season at Brands Hatch gets underway this Saturday when the MGJ Engineering Winter Stage Rally brings the exciting sport of rallying to Kent with a much-needed dose of winter cheer.
A capacity entry of 90 cars will contest the event at the world-famous venue, which forms part of the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship. The entry covers a wide variety of vehicles, from humble hatchbacks to many rally favourites. These include the much-loved Ford Escort, a classic renowned for its sideways powerslides as well as the more modern Subaru Impreza, made famous by British rally legends Colin McRae and Richard Burns.
The entry list also includes three Ferrari 308s. Famous for its role in the 1980s TV show Magnum, the Italian stallion was converted for rally use by Italian firm Michelotto, and is a popular sight on the stages.
Unlike forest rallies, the entire event will be based within the bounds of Brands Hatch and visitors will have the full benefit of the venue’s superb spectator views. The stages will utilise sections of the track, plus pits, paddock and access roads as well as the venue’s dedicated rally stage. Visitors will be able to take advantage of the panoramic spectator banks, plus two of the circuit’s grandstands will be open free of charge.
Saturday’s event will run from 9am until after dark, ending in spectacular style with blazing headlights, flaming exhausts and glowing brake discs, making it the perfect antidote to winter.
The circuit’s 2017 calendar, which is in the process of being finalised, includes rounds of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, British Touring Car Championship and British Truck Racing Championship as well as international championships such as the Blancpain GT Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
Tickets for the MGJ Engineering Winter Stage Rally at Brands Hatch on Saturday 21 January are now on sale for just £12, or £8 to 13-15 year-olds, with free entry to under-13s.
For more information or to book, call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk