Protyre News

Bob Fowden is celebrating 40 years in rallying this year and is aiming for two titles in 2018, including the Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship, in his ex-works Comline Auto Parts/NGK-backed Subaru Impreza WRC S11.

Fowden’s career began in 1978 where he raced Mini’s through Forest events until his impressive performances caught the eye of the British Leyland Team Manager, John Davenport. Upgraded to an ex-works Triumph TR7, Fowden started to compete in Tarmac rallies and won the Mewla Stages in 1982. Following several victories on Epynt in an ex-works Rover 3500 Vitesse, it was eventually replaced with a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth in 1988 in which Fowden enjoyed huge success in Britain Ireland and Europe. In 2015, Fowden switched alliances to the Subaru Impreza, which Fowden Motorsport has become synonymous with since.  
 
Fowden will drive an ex-Petter Solberg Subaru Impreza WRC S11 in 2018 for the second year in a year. For the opening round of the 2018 Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship, the Melvyn Evans Motorsport Tour of Epynt, he will be accompanied by co-driver Aled Davies and will be aiming for another event win to add to his victory on the rally last year.
 
Fowden will also be attempting to win the JD Tyres Welsh Tarmacadam Championship for a record fifth time. The first round is the Rali Cwm Gwendraeth at Pembrey on February 4. Bob will have son Paul co-driving event with the family duo hoping to repeat their 2017 event success.
 
Fowden said: “As my former co-driver Paul Wakely cannot be with me for 2018 due to increased business commitments, I have a number of top co-drivers alongside me for the new season. My good friend Aled Davies will co-drive for me on the Tour of Epynt, and the others are similarly familiar names that we’ll announce as the season progresses. The co-drivers are no strangers to top asphalt rallying, so we’ll not be springing any surprises in the new partnerships I’m sure, but I hope to be able to spring a few surprises on the events!”

2018 Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship Regulations and Entry Forms are available to download at: asphaltrallying.com

2018 Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Championship calendar

• 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

About Protyre

Protyre is the UK’s fastest growing chain of fast fit and mechanical centres with a growing network of 112 branches, supplying a complete range of tyres, from premium to economy, for all makes and models of cars, vans, 4x4s and motorcycles, as well as offering MOTs, mechanical repairs and servicing.
Protyre is service driven to ensure technical expertise, quality and customer care, making it the local garage people can trust. Protyre’s Motorsport division provides tyres and tyre fitting services for competitions, including the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship. Protyre is the retail arm of Micheldever Tyre Services Ltd, the UK’s premier tyre wholesaler, distributor and retailer.

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For more Championship information, please contact:
Jane Evans: jane@asphaltrallying.com
 
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For all Motorsport enquiries, please contact:
Shaun Chetwyn, Protyre Motorsport Manager
E: Shaun.Chetwyn@protyre.co.uk 
T: 07968 307584