Protyre News

An army of star-driven Darrian rally cars will go head-to-head with the top World Rally Cars for this year's Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship title.

The mid-engined cars have become synonymous with asphalt rallying over the years, twice beating four-wheel drive cars to the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship title, with Geoff Kitney/Alan McCann champions in 1990 and John Dalton/Alun Davies in 1993.

A total of six Darrian drivers have entered the 2018 Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship so far:

• Ashley Field (Darrian T90 GTR+)

• Andy Fraser (Darrian T9 V6)

• Huw Reed (Darrian T90 GTR)

• Tony Rees (Darrian GTR)

• Paul Culverwell (Darrian T9)

• Richard Merriman (Darrian T90)

Ashley Field will return to competition for the first time in 17 months with his last event the 2016 Dukeries Rally, at Donington Park – an event he won after setting the fastest time on every stage. This year Field is returning to contest a full Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship in his Darrian T90 GTR+

Andy Fraser will be racing his Nissan 3-litre V6-engined Darrian T9. He too hasn’t rallied since 2016 with his last comptetition the Harry Flatters. The Coalville-based driver will prepare for the Tour of Epynt by racing in a signal venue rally at Donington Park the weekend before and will be co-driven by Peredur Wyn Davies.

Tony Rees who has been rallying for almost 40 years, will driving a brand new Darrian GTR, powered by a Millington Series 2+ engine. He is well known for giant-killing performances in Avengers and Sunbeams and with the support of co-driver Geraint Thomas, will surely be looking to add another one to the ever-growing list.

Huw Reed ,​celebrating his 30th year in rallying, will contest the Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship in his 2.5-litre Millington Series 2-engined Darrian T90 GTR. The Bridgend driver will be hoping his wealth of experience will be an advantage having previously rallied everything from a Lada, to an Escort Cosworth and a historic Peugeot 205. Reed will be co-driven by Anthony Hackett and supported by Raintite and Hot Wheels.

Paul Culverwell will drive a ‘clubman’s’ Darrian T9, powered by a Honda S2000 engine. The Staffordshire-based driver certainly has a lot of rallying experience having begun his career back in the 1980's and one thing’s for sure – you won’t be able to miss his bright orange Darrian on the stages! Culverwell will be co-driven by Sophie Buckland.

Richard Merriman, double Welsh Tarmac Champion is entering in his 1998cc Vauxhall-engined Darrian T90. The Pontypridd driver has a long association with Darrians, having rallied one since 1992. He will be co-driven by Kath Curzon and has won his class on Epynt many times, winning the Mini Epynt outright in 2012.

2018 Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship Regulations and Entry Forms are available to download here

Check out the full 2018 Protyre MSA Rally Championship below:

• 10/11 March - Melvyn Evans Motorsport Tour of Epynt

• 11/12 May - Manx National Rally

• 9 June - Rally van Wervik

• 21 July - Carryduff Forklift Down Rally

• 25/26 August - Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally

• 27/28 October - Keldine Autos Cheviot Stages Rally

Protyre’s Motorsport division provides tyres and tyre fitting services for competitions, including the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship. For more information on Protyre Motorsport, the suppliers of thousands of tyres to racing events throughout the UK and Europe, click here.