Tyre Talk ….
Around 280 crews will travel to the Scottish Borders this weekend to take part in the 42nd running of the Jim Clark Rally: round two of the Pirelli-supported British Rally Championship which encompasses over six events (31 May-2 June).
Based in the rural counties of Berwickshire and Roxburghshire, the Jim Clark Rally is the only rally run on closed public roads in the mainland UK. First held in 1970, the event is held in memory of Jim Clark: the legendary two-time Formula One World Champion who hailed from the area. This year’s event will feature several categories including the historics and junior drivers as they tackle part or all of the 130-mile rally.
A mixture of 15-inch to 17-inch RX7 and RE7 Pirelli asphalt tyres will be on offer for the first all-asphalt round of the UK’s premier rally series. The RX7 is a medium compound tyre for dry conditions, while the RE pattern is for damp conditions and can be used as a full wet. The N3 will also be available in 15-inch size for very wet conditions.
Mark Donnelly – the 2013 Pirelli UK Star Driver – was denied the chance of a podium at the season-opening Pirelli Richard Burns Foundation Rally last month and hopes to make amends at the Jim Clark. After making several changes to the set-up on his Citroen DS3 R3, Donnelly spoke positively ahead of the weekend: “We changed a lot on the car competing on the Cavan Stages Rally last weekend and it feels transformed,” explained the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland.
“There’s still some work to do before the Jim Clark, but I’m feeling positive. The car is a completely different animal on tarmac, it’s a dream to drive when you get the set-up right, but I still think we can get more out of it. My main aim this weekend is a podium place. It’s the first asphalt rally of the year, it’s a long rally and no-one knows where anyone will be until we get going,” added Donnelly.
Jukka Korhonen, last year’s Pirelli Star Driver, will also be competing in Scotland and will be eager to maintain his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings, where he currently holds a two point advantage over WRC-3 driver Alastair Fisher. The Northern Irishman also competes on the Citroen Top Driver Series in the World Rally Championship, which is also supplied by Pirelli.
Pirelli UK Tyres Operations Manager, Matthew Corby, commented: “Each year, the Jim Clark attracts a huge number of spectators and it is fantastic to hear that so many crews have signed up this year. I’ve also been informed that a team has travelled over from Australia to take part in the rally on our tyres which is testament to the event’s growing popularity and ongoing success.”
Corby added: “Our Pirelli Star Driver, Mark Donnelly, was very close to a podium result at the last BRC round and I am pleased to hear that he will be fighting for a podium spot this weekend. He is an exceptionally talented driver and I am sure that if Mark can keep his car on the road and manage his tyres, then he will achieve a top three finish. However, the Jim Clark is a notoriously tricky rally and it’s easy to get caught out on all the crests and long straights. It’s also a very fast rally and with the warmer weather we have experienced recently, it is likely that the roads could be dry which is sure to provide the crews with a big challenge.”
The rally will kick off with a traditional ceremonial start and a town centre stage on Friday 31 May. Two loops of three stages will be run on Friday evening, including two passes over a 16-mile test. Four more loops totaling 10 stages will be run on Saturday 1 June before the first crews are expected to reach the finish ramp at Kelso racecourse at around 5.00 pm on Saturday afternoon.
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