Pirelli Steps Away from BRC Headline Sponsorship

Pirelli has stepped back from title sponsorship of the British Rally championship in 2006. However the company will continue to sponsor the first round the Pirelli International Rally.

“Having Pirelli involved in the BRC will continue to provide the stability we all rely on,” commented Championship manager Mark Taylor as the announcement was made. “Pirelli’s support has been a vital factor in rebuilding the BRC over the last four years and the relationships that have been forged during this challenging period will be a hugely important ingredient in UK Rally’s plans for the further development of the championship. With its high profile and experience in international motorsport, and the obvious relevance of its products, Pirelli remains the ideal partner for Britain’s premier rally series.”

Now that the Italian manufacturer is no longer the title sponsor, the company’s involvement will centre on its support of the Pirelli International Rally on the 13 – 14 May in Carlisle. For the 30th year the Pirelli International Rally will form the basis of the opening round of the 2006 British Rally Championship, featuring 115 miles of stages in the famous Kielder Forest. The company reports that its P-Zero spectator stage will return in 2006, because it was a “huge hit last year.”

Proceedings will follow a more compact format over both Saturday and Sunday, giving the crews the opportunity to do the whole event without losing too much time off work. The popular Pirelli Land Rover rally will follow the full international route.

Other features include the “Sunday Run” which will see International supported by the Pirelli Trophy rally, which will include runners on the second round of the exciting new Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy.

Also joining the Trophy will be the competitors in the Peugeot 205 1.9 championship and will utilise almost 50 miles of Kielder’s finest tracks plus a couple of trips round the P-Zero stage.

But it doesn’t end there. Pirelli will also continue its involvement with the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship. “We are delighted to have secured this Championship for 2006. In 2005 we worked hard to promote the Championship and build on the work done in 2004,” said Wayne Nickless. “2005 saw a season filled with excitement and we hope that in continuing with Pirelli the 2006 season will be as successful.”

The imposing presence of a Pirelli-shod Ferrari F430 not far from the Italian tyre manufacturer’s stand demonstrated the company’s commitment to the Ferrari owners club. In 2006 Pirelli Tyres will continue it ongoing relationship with the Ferrari Owners Club through sponsorship of its racing and hillclimb series. This year sees the end of the Pirelli Maranello Ferarri Challenge in its current format, to be replaced by the new Pirelli Ferrari Open and the Pirelli Ferrari formula classic series.