Citroën Racing Trophy UK /C2R2 Cup – Round 4 preview
International Rally Isle of Man

There was always the prospect of close competition throughout this year’s MSA British Rally Championship, so it should not be a surprise to see close rallying between the C2R2 runners on this weekend’s Rally Isle of Man.

All the cars in the BRC’s R2 class are part of the Citroën Racing Trophy (CRT) prize structure, so CRT follows class in the points table. Irishman McCormack leads with perfect scores on rounds two and three, while second placed Jason Pritchard took the first round in his new C2 Max Kit car. The 2008 Championship winner could so easily have been at the top of the table though, but for a time-sapping excursion on the Pirelli.

McCormack’s last visit to the Isle of Man ended badly though, the Irishman putting his car in a ditch in unpredictable conditions. He eventually took the final C2R2 place, albeit several minutes adrift of Jason Pritchard whose victory helped him to take the ’08 title.

In third is Mark Gamble who has hung gamely onto the coat tails of the new cars in his older specification machine, upgrading the suspension for the Jim Clark Rally, but running out of time to fit the new engine. Suffering after a pre-first round crash damaged the new car is Andrew Hockridge, who even missed the Pirelli Rally when a courier error left him without replacement parts for the Cumbrian event. He will hope that his fortunes change, eager to better his 2008 Isle of Man result when he was second to Pritchard.

With all the cars being identical specification on the Isle of Man, set-up for the four drivers will be vital on the Manx lanes as they try to take a piece of the €7000 on-event prize fund. 180 tricky tarmac miles begin on the morning of Friday 10th July, looping back to the Douglas TT Grandstand for service halts and an overnight stop, before the 4pm finish on Saturday 11th.

Coverage of Citroën Racing Trophy / C2R2 Cup from Rally Isle of Man will appear on Sky Sports’ on 26th July, repeated on 27th & 28th. Full listings HERE.

To keep up to date with the event’s progress click on the RESULTS button at www.rallybrc.co.uk, visit the events own website at www.rallyisleofman.co.im or the Citroën Racing Trophy/C2R2 Cup website: www.c2r2.co.uk

Back To News
Images
Ypres 2008 Finland 2008 Finland 2008 Finland 2008