BKR NEWS

14.11.11: Becky battles to World Rally Championship success

Rally driver Becky Kirvan ended her 2011 season in style last weekend when she successfully completed Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB. The four-day event proved to be a very tough test with several of the world championship’s leading crews failing to reach the end but Becky and co-driver Will Rogers battled through to finish in 39th place and first in class.

Day one of the rally took place in North Wales with the first two stages being a blast around the Great Orme tarmac toll road near Llandudno. Although this was a short stage it was very tricky with lots of twists and turns and unforgiving kerbs. With the brakes on her Cristal Global-backed Ford Fiesta not feeling quite right part way through the test Becky drove cautiously to make sure she got to the end of the Orme stages.

The crews then headed to Clocaenog for a long forest stage in the dark. Fog made visibility difficult but, after adjusting the brake bias, Becky had no problems and returned to Llandudno for the overnight halt in 51st place.

“I was pretty tense before the start of the Orme so it was good to finally get going after all the preparation work for the rally”, said Becky. “Other than the brake issue we had a troublefree run through the stages. The darkness and fog in Clocaenog was very challenging and I was pleased to emerge unscathed.”

Eight stages in Dyfi and Dyfnant forests greeted the crews on day two. Conditions worsened through the day with heavy rain and mist making driving hazardous and, with running near the back of the field, Becky faced the added challenge of a very cut-up road surface.

“The conditions in the later stages on day two were the worst I have ever competed in. It was impossible to see where the track went due to the thick fog and on top of that we had heavy rain and the darkness to contend with so we slowed right down as we did not want to risk crashing out. There were cars off all over the place and we did not want to join them!”

Blue sky and sunshine replaced the previous days rain and mist for day three with six stages scheduled including two runs of the spectator-packed Sweet Lamb. The first stage of the day was in Hafren forest and, at over 20 miles long, it was the longest of the event. Becky’s only problem was getting caught up by a foreign crew in a faster car. Despite indicating that she was pulling over to let them past, the driver behind drove into the rear of the Fiesta causing damage to the bumper. The rest of the day went well although a puncture in the second Sweet Lamb stage resulted in a large time loss. Despite this Becky ended the third day in 46th place.

“The third day could not have been more different in terms of the weather, visibility was good and it was a pleasure to drive the stages. In particular the stretch of stage through the wind turbines in Myherin was brilliant. I also enjoyed the first run of Sweet Lamb so I was disappointed to have to limp through on the second run of the stage due to our puncture. I could not understand why the crew drove into the back of us in Hafren, I indicated to pull over as soon as they appeared in my mirrors so I think causing damage to my car was completely unnecessary and something I have never encountered with any British drivers.”

“After service in Builth Wells at the end of the day all the cars and crews travelled to Cardiff where we drove down a crowd-lined street to the overnight halt, the atmosphere was brilliant!”

The fourth and final day took place on and around the Epynt military ranges near Llandovery. The opening two stages, Halfway and Crychan, both mixed tarmac sections with the more usual gravel forest tracks. Becky had a couple of spins on the tarmac as it had been made extremely slippery by the cars running ahead of her. One spin resulted in her needing the spectators to help extract her from a ditch, luckily there was no shortage of spectators on this rally! Other than that she had a clear run through the stages and moved up to 39th place by the end of the event which was rounded off with a ceremonial finish in the grounds of Cardiff castle.

“I am thrilled to have got a finish on a world championship event, it’s the perfect end to what has been a great rally season, I would never have thought at the start of the year that I’d be BRC Challenge Ladies Champion and a WRC class winner! It was a real challenge for me, the rally was a lot longer than any other I’ve done so I'm delighted to have made it to the finish ramp. I’d like to thank Cristal Global for their support which enabled me to do the event and all the Rally4Real team who worked very hard both before and during the rally on the car. Thanks also to Will for co-driving, he did a great job. I shall be doing all I can to try to find a budget to enable me to return to the event next year!”

After her successful season Becky is now concentrating on securing support to compete in 2012 when she hopes to contest the British Rally Championship. Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk or www.facebook.com/beckykirvanrallying for all the latest news and photographs.

04.11.11: Becky set for her toughest ever rally challenge

Rally driver Becky Kirvan will start her toughest ever rally challenge next week when she takes part in Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB.

Becky has had a very busy time since her last event in September as her Ford Fiesta ST car has had to be rebuilt following an accident when the brakes failed. After many hours hard work by the Rally4Real team the car is now ready for action again.

"The car was pretty badly damaged in the crash," said Becky. "It needed a new section of roll cage, a new roof, door, door pillar and wing and several other parts. The gearbox has also been rebuilt to ensure it was in perfect working order for the challenging event ahead."

With usual co-driver Kaz Watts ruled out of the event due to a neck injury Becky will have Will Rogers on the pacenotes. It will be the first time the pairing has competed together so the plan is to treat the first stages cautiously.

"I’ve not driven competitively since the accident and there has been no time to do any testing. With the four days of competition on Rally GB and the notorious treacherous conditions that this rally has, I do not want to risk an accident early on so I’ll take my time to get used to Will and to driving at speed again."

Becky has attracted a new sponsor for the event, Cristal Global. Cristal Global, who have a plant in Stallingborough, employs nearly 4,000 people on five continents and they are the second largest titanium dioxide producer in the world, the largest producer of merchant titanium chemicals and the leading manufacturer of speciality titanium products.

"Without the support of Cristal Global it would be impossible for me to do the event so I am extremely grateful to them. It was a dream for me to compete on a World Championship event and Cristal Global have made that dream come true. It’s going to be a real challenge for me and the team as it is by far the longest and toughest event I have competed on but I cannot wait to get to the start!"

The rally starts in Llandudno on Thursday 10 November and from there the crews will head south to compete in some of the most famous forest rally stages in Wales, including Clocaenog, Dyfi and Crychan. The successful crews will finish in Cardiff on Sunday.

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk or www.facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallying to find out more about Becky’s rallying. Phone reception permitting live updates from the event will be posted on the Facebook page.

30.10.11: BEXBLOG 14

Hey there!

It's been all go since I last blogged - you'll have seen from my recent news items that it's been a dramatic past couple of months with the accident on Trackrod rally! Being stuck upside down in the rally car was really not nice I can tell you but once Kaz and I finally managed to clamber our way out of the car we were pleased that we were both still in one piece. Kaz hurt her neck though so unfortunately, to be safe, it means she will have to miss Rally GB. We are both gutted that she is having to miss out on what would have been a dream really for us both but the most important thing is she makes a full recovery so that she is fighting fit for more rallying next year!

That means I have a new co-driver with me for Rally GB - Will Rogers who in fact is from the same area as Kaz, the Forest of Dean. This will also be Will's first WRC event so he is equally excited as I am to do the event which is ever so fast approaching now!

Tim and the Rally4Real team have been working flat out to get Freddie fixed from the accident - he needed a new section of roll cage, new roof, door, pillar, wing and lots more! We also sent the gearbox away for a rebuild to ensure it was in tip-top working order for such a big event so it's been a massive job! With a little over a week to go until the rally, Freddie is in good shape but not yet finished so it looks like it'll go right down to the wire!
There has been a huge amount of organising and preparation that has needed to be done so it's really kept us busy. We were all very disappointed to learn of the cancellation of the Isle of Man rally which should've been the final BRC Challenge round but, to be honest, it's been a bit of a blessing in disguise as that rally would have taken place this weekend, meaning we would have had to be ready for Rally GB before we left for that rally. The cancellation of the Isle of Man rally meant that the championship was wrapped up for all the BRC Challenge crews on the Trackrod rally and I was over the moon to win the Ladies Championship as well as taking 2nd in class and 7th overall - an acheievement I would never have thought possible at the start of the year so I owe big thanks to all of the team as well as my loyal sponsors, KC, Princes Quay, Bardahl Top Oils, Rally4Real and Songasport who have enabled me to go rallying this year.

This will probably be my last blog before Rally GB as this time next week I'll be down in Wales getting set for the recce but keep an eye on my Twitter and Facebook page for updates and we will do our best to keep those updated - reception permitting! Look out also for Freddie's new graphics as he is being rebranded in the livery of Cristal Global who are my sponsors for Rally GB - I'm certainly looking forwards to seeing his new look!

Take care
Bex

24.10.11: Excitement mounts as Becky prepares for WRC debut

With less than three weeks to go to the start of Wales Rally GB rally driver Becky Kirvan is flat out with preparations for her first world championship event in her Cristal Global-backed Ford Fiesta ST.

After her accident on the Trackrod Challenge rally in September her car has had to undergo major surgery with a new roof, doors, wing, door pillar and bonnet having to be sourced and the roll cage fixed.

“We were able to find a Fiesta road car shell which we’ve taken panels from for the rally car”, commented Becky. “The cage has now been fixed so that will be going in the car in the next few days and then we can put the new roof on. The gearbox is away for a rebuild so that will have to be refitted as soon as it comes back and we’ve also to get the bodywork liveried with Cristal Global graphics. With the car work and all the other organisation required it’s going to be very busy right up to the start of the event.”

As well as having to get her car fixed Becky has had to find a new co-driver as Kaz Watts has had to withdraw from the event due to a neck injury.

“It’s a real shame that Kaz will not be with the team but unfortunately the neck injuries she sustained in the accident on the Trackrod rally are still causing her problems so it was too much of a risk to her health to tackle a four-day event so soon afterwards. I will have Will Rogers co-driving for me and I am confident will we quickly gel as a team. I can’t wait for the rally to start!”

The rally will start from Llandudno on 10th November with the crews facing four days of tough competition before finishing the event in Cardiff.

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk or www.facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallyingfor more information on Becky Kirvan’s rallying.

24.09.11: Brake failure results in dramatic end to Trackrod rally for Becky

East Yorkshire rally driver Becky Kirvan had a dramatic end to the Trackrod Challenge rally last weekend when brake failure resulted in her car flying off the road into a tree, putting her out of the event.

With the organisers of the Rally Isle of Man announcing that their event had been cancelled the Trackrod became the last round of Becky's BRC Challenge season so she was especially keen to get a good result on her home event.

The event started with stages in Gale Rigg and Cropton forests north of Pickering. Becky and co-driver Kaz Watts made a good start in their KC, Bardahl Top Oils, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Peart Auto Services, Rally4Real and Songasport-supported Ford Fiesta ST to lie in 11th overall and 2nd in class. However, the opening two stages were not without problems with the car's brake bias needing altering after the first stage and then the brakes overheating when braking at the end of the many long straights in the second stage.

"The car was getting out of shape a lot under braking in the first stage so I adjusted the brake bias ready for stage two," commented Becky. "This seemed to help the handling in the second stage but then we had the overheating issue which caused some anxious moments when slowing from the high speeds we were doing on the straights."

Stage three took place in Staindale forest and Becky had another good run to maintain her 11th overall and 2nd in class. With the long Langdale stage next Becky was keen to push on and aim for the top ten but it all went wrong a couple of miles from the end of the stage. The stage was another with lots of long straights and Becky again had to battle overheating brakes but coming up to a right-hand bend the brakes totally failed. Although she attempted to turn the car on the handbrake it was going too quickly and flew off the road. The roof of the car hit a tree and it then landed upside-down with the crew initially trapped inside. Fortunately they were able to extract themselves and they were not badly hurt although as a precaution Kaz was taken to hospital to be checked over.

"It was a pretty high-speed accident and the roof took a lot of the impact on Kaz's side of the car though we were well protected by the roll cage. It was a little scary being trapped upside down but we got out eventually. It was a very disappointing way to end our BRC Challenge season but at least neither of us were seriously injured. I'd like to sincerely thank EMMU rescue for attending to Kaz and myself and also Lakes 3 and Difflock 8 recovery crews for extracting the car, it was a very professional job by them all. The car needs a new roof and door pillar and a few other parts but it will soon be back to full health."

Despite the retirement on the final round Becky ends the season in second place in the RC5 class championship and she is also the BRC Challenge Ladies Champion.

“I’ve really enjoyed my BRC Challenge season, it has been great doing events that are new to me. I am pleased with my performance and hopefully I can build on this year’s experience in 2012. Thank you to KC and all my other supporters for their invaluable help in 2011.”

Becky's next planned event is the Wales Rally GB world championship round but she is hoping to contest another event before this once the car is fixed.

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk or join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallying for all the latest news and pictures.


21.09.11: Becky to end season with World Rally Championship outing

Rally driver Becky Kirvan will end her 2011 season by competing at the very top of the rallying ladder when she contests Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB.

East Yorkshire-based Becky has enjoyed a successful year competing in the BRC Challenge in her Ford Fiesta ST car with co-driver Kaz Watts and she has secured a deal with world-leading chemical company Cristal Global which will enable her to contest the world championship event once her BRC Challenge campaign is complete. Cristal Global, who have a plant in Stallingborough, employs nearly 4,000 people on five continents and they are the second largest titanium dioxide producer in the world, the largest producer of merchant titanium chemicals and the leading manufacturer of specialty titanium products.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be entering Wales Rally GB, it is an amazing opportunity for me. Competing at this level would have been completely out of reach if it wasn’t for Cristal Global’s sponsorship so I’m extremely grateful to them for their support,” said Becky. “I once interviewed world championship driver Mikko Hirvonen for a television programme, little did I know that I’d be competing on the same event as him one day!”

Fahad Nackshabandi, General Manager of Cristal Global Corporate Communications commented: "We are pleased to support Becky on this event, she has done very well in rallying and we are proud to help her compete at the highest level possible."

Rally GB will consist of four days of competition all over Wales starting on the North coast near Llandudno and finishing in Cardiff. The total competitive mileage is 220 which is over three times longer than any other rally Becky has contested up to now.

“It will be the longest stage rally I’ve ever competed in and it’s sure to be very challenging. There is an immense amount of work to get both myself and the car ready for the event, though I believe the experience I’ve built up in the last two years will help me a great deal. I’ll be aiming to do the very best that I can.”

Becky presently lies in 7th place in the BRC Challenge as well as second in her class championship and she still has three rounds to complete before her Rally GB outing with events in Yorkshire followed by a double-header on the Isle of Man.

“The season has gone really well so far and I’m very pleased to have successfully completed all the events. The car has been great throughout the season, my only issues being a couple of punctures for which I can hardly blame the car! I’ll be pushing hard on the last three rounds to gain as good a championship position as I can. I would like to express my sincere thanks to my sponsors: communications company KC, Bardahl Top Oils, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Peart Auto Services, Rally4Real and Songasport for supporting my BRC Challenge campaign this year.”

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk or www.facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallying to find out more about Becky’s rallying.

18.09.11: Becky back to the woods for next rally challenge

Burton Pidsea-based rally driver Becky Kirvan will return to the forests for her next KC Rally Team event when she contests the Trackrod Challenge event.

The last two BRC Challenge championship rounds have been held on the tarmac roads of the Scottish Borders and Ulster respectively but the Trackrod will use gravel tracks in the forests of Yorkshire.

"I’ve not competed in the forest since the Pirelli rally in April but I’m confident that I will quickly get back into driving on gravel," said Becky.

"I enjoyed the tarmac events and I was very pleased with the results we got but I prefer the rallying in the forest so I’m really looking forward to the Trackrod Challenge rally."

Becky will compete in her usual KC, Bardahl Oils, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Rally4Real, Peart Auto Services and Songasport-backed Ford Fiesta ST. Although she has not competed since Ulster it has been a busy time for Becky and the KC Rally Team.

"We’ve been doing a lot of promotional work with the car including appearing at the KC Rally Day at Sweet Lamb in Wales as well as filming a feature for the BBC. It’s all been great fun and it’s really added to my rally season."

"The Trackrod is my local event so I am especially keen to get a good result although it will be the first time I have competed in the Yorkshire forests. We’re presently in second place in the RC5 class championship so I am hoping to maintain that position."

The Trackrod Challenge rally will start in Scarborough on 24 September with the crews battling over 50 miles of stages in the forests around Pickering.

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk or join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallying for all the latest news.

07.09.11: Sponsorship boost for Becky as Top Oils Bardahl extend deal

BRC Challenge championship driver Becky Kirvan has received some good news ahead of her next rally outing later this month with the announcement that Top Oils Bardahl have extended their sponsorship deal for a further three years.

The leading supplier of high quality oil for both road and competition use initially supported Becky for 2011 but they have now extended that deal to cover all events Becky competes in until the end of 2014.

Peter Trott of Top Oils Bardahl commented: "I am particularly pleased to extend our sponsorship of Becky because she brings the right mix of fun and determination to motorsport. Becky is a shining example to potential rally drivers and racers and a sponsor’s dream. I look forward to seeing Becky make further progress in her rallying career."

Becky is presently concentrating on her BRC Challenge campaign but plans for 2012 will commence shortly with a season doing the British Rally Championship being the aim if sufficient suppoort can be obtained.

“I’m thillled that Top Oils Bardahl will continue their support beyond this year,” said Becky. “If it wasn’t for my sponsors I would not be able to compete at such a high level of rallying so I am extremely grateful for all the help I receive.”

“My ambition next year is to compete in the British Rally Championship as I feel that is the natural step up from the BRC Challenge but it will all depend if we can get the budget together and my plans to achieve that will start shortly. I shall definitely be out on the stages in some form!".

Becky will next be action at the Trackrod Challenge rally in Yorkshire at the end of September. Please visit http://www.beckykirvan.co.uk or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallying.

21.08.11: Becky battles to double Ulster Challenge rally success

East Yorkshire rally driver Becky Kirvan had reason to celebrate last weekend when she battled through some very tough stages to finish both Ulster Challenge rounds of the BRC Challenge championship, maintaining the KC Rally Team’s 100% finishing record in 2011.

Round four of the championship took place over the course of day one of the event with the Challenge crews tackling the Glendun and Torr Head stages first. Wind and heavy rain made the conditions difficult and, after much deliberation, it was only at the very last minute that a decision was made about which tyres to use. Becky and co-driver Kaz Watts overcame the conditions to arrive back in service in 11th place despite a couple of incidents.

"The opening two stages were very challenging," said Becky. "It was hard getting into a rhythm as there was not a lot of grip in some places. We had a big moment on the opening stage when we landed badly after a jump and the car slewed sideways, fortunately we stayed on the road and managed to take the square right corner that followed it!"

"We were lucky in stage two also when we only just managed to slow the car for a hairpin bend. I was pleased to get back to service unscathed, there were damaged cars throughout the stages."

The remaining three stages of round four took place in the dark. Despite her lack of experience of competing at night Becky successfully piloted her KC, Bardahl Oils, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Rally4Real, Peart Auto Services and Songasport-backed Ford Fiesta ST to the finish in 9th place.

"I actually enjoyed the night stages, it is a real challenge to compete at night, it’s totally different to the day time stages as the landscape seems to change. It was great to get to the finish and score some championship points."

Round 5 consisted of four stages on day two of the event. Although conditions were much better than the previous day the stages still proved to be very testing. After three stages Becky was again lying in 9th place but she was only two seconds behind the car in front. Unfortunately the final stage was cancelled due to another competitor having an accident so she did not get the opportunity to push for 8th. Her result was still good enough to take the class award.

"The three stages we did went well, the only drama was an old man wandering across the stage in front of us, though fortunately we managed to miss him. The steering had a bit of play in it after two stages so the service crew did an extremely speedy steering arm change in service - big thanks to them for that."

"It was disappointing not to be able to push for 8th place on the last stage but the important thing is that the crew in the accident were ok. All in all I was delighted to get another good finish for the KC team."

The results means that Becky is now up to 7th in the BRC Challenge championship as well as lying second in her class championship. The next event for the KC Rally Team will be the Trackrod Challenge rally in September.

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk for all the latest KC Rally Team news and pictures or join the team Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallying.

14.08.11: Becky all set for Ulster rally challenge

East Yorkshire rally driver Becky Kirvan will resume her rally season with the KC Rally Team next weekend when she contests rounds four and five of the BRC Challenge championship in Northern Ireland. The Ulster Challenge rally will see two days of competition with each day counting as a separate round.

Becky presently lies in second place in her class championship as well as tenth in the overall championship and she is keen to carry on her good season in the lanes of Ulster.

"We’ve had a really great season so far with good finishes on all three championship events," said Becky. "We will be competing on tarmac again on the Ulster Challenge and with the experience I built up on the last round, which was also on tarmac, I am confident we can go well."

With the last round being held back in May Becky has had a break from competing although she has not had much time to rest as she has been appearing at numerous local events to promote both rallying and her sponsors with her KC, Bardahl Oils, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Rally4Real, Peart Auto Services and Songasport-backed Ford Fiesta ST rally car. She has also had an opportunity to test the car on tarmac to get back into the swing of driving at competition pace.

"Attending the events was a great experience, it was nice to meet lots of new people and there was loads of interest in the car and rallying. I also took the car to a track day at Cadwell Park recently for a test session and while it wasn’t really representative of the surface I’ll drive on in Ulster it was good for me to get used to driving the Fiesta again. This will be my first trip to Ireland so I can’t wait to get over the water and get to the rally start!"

The Ulster Challenge rally will start on Friday 19th August with the crews facing 90 miles of competition over the two days.

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk for all the latest KC Rally Team news and pictures or join the team Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallying.

20.07.11: BEXBLOG 13

Hey there guys!

Well it's been a bit quiet over the last month or so on the competing front – the Jim Clark rally took place at the end of May and our next event (the Ulster Rally) isn't until the middle of August, so after a frantic start to the year, it's been quite strange having time off!

There's not really any such thing as time off in the rallying world though as there are always things going on even when we're not actually competing! Over the last month or so I have been busy with KC, working with them on some of their events. I was really pleased to be asked to speak at their Women in Business Event at Hull Truck Theatre which was part of the Humber Business Week involving businesses from across the Humber region. It was a fantastic event and I got to meet lots of great people and give an insight into my rallying world! Freddie got a piece of the action too and he went on display at the entrance of the Chamber Expo conference - another great event which was also part of Business Week, attended by business people from across the region.

Coming up next for us is Hornsea Carnival this weekend (Saturday 23rd July) - Freddie and I will be taking part in the parade through the town and then will spend the rest of the day at the KC stand - so if you're in the area, please do come and say hello and get a close up look at my pride and joy - Freddie the most beautiful Fiesta ST!
If you can't make it to Hornsea though, fear not - we'll be at Withernsea Carnival the following weekend (Saturday 30th July) so come and see us there instead!

Fingers crossed for sunshine!!

Take care...

Bex

29.05.11: Becky passes tarmac test on Jim Clark Challenge Rally

Rally driver Becky Kirvan, from Burton Pidsea, successfully finished the Jim Clark Challenge Rally last weekend, taking fifth in class on her first major tarmac event.

The event, round three of the BRC Challenge championship, started on Friday evening with a short stage through the spectator-lined streets of Duns which Becky and co-driver Kaz Watts enjoyed. A much longer test in Bothwell followed which allowed Becky to get into a good rhythm with the car as she built up her experience of its capabilities on tar.

The final stage of Friday was at Abbey St Bathans and it nearly spelled the end of Becky’s event. Part way through the course the KC, Bardahl Oils, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Peart Auto Services, Rally4Real and Songasport-backed Ford Fiesta ST suffered a puncture and with six miles still to go the crew made the decision to stop and change the wheel. Unfortunately a problem with the jack meant that it was impossible to lift the car so the wheel could not be changed. The rest of the stage had to be completed very slowly to avoid damaging the car’s suspension and bodywork.

"The stage at Duns was great, it was brilliant to see so many spectators there cheering us on, there was a great atmosphere," said Becky. "Stage two went well also although we lost some time when we caught a car."

"The Abbey stage was going fine till we got the puncture. We lost time getting the jack out to try and fix it and then more time was lost having to hobble through the stage."

"We were lucky that a fellow competitor lent us a jack at the end of the stage so we could put a new wheel on. Although we were very close to being over our time limit we managed to get back to the overnight halt."

Day two saw a further five stages in the lanes around Duns. With the puncture on Friday Becky knew it was going to impossible to claw back enough time to get a better class position so she concentrated on getting to grips with the tarmac and pushed on with the intention of setting some good stage times. This resulted in her catching slower cars on most of the days stages, but other than that she had a troublefree day and fetched the KC Rally Team car home fifth in class.

"I enjoyed the stages on the second day which had some really fast sections and big jumps. We seemed to get lucky with the weather, some crews were caught out by sudden heavy rain showers but we had relatively dry stages."

"I’m pleased with my performance, there were definitely places where I could have gone quicker and probably braked later but for my first big tarmac event I think it went well. It was certainly very valuable experience for me as the next two championship rounds are also on tarmac."
The BRC Challenge will resume in August with the Ulster Challenge Rally. For further information in the KC Rally Team please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk.

21.05.11: Becky ready for battle in the Borders

Rally driver Becky Kirvan will continue her BRC Challange championship campaign with the KC Rally Team next weekend when she heads for the Jim Clark Challenge Rally.

After two rounds on gravel forest tracks round three of the championship will take place on closed public roads around the town of Duns in Berwickshire. The fast and bumpy lanes will present a new challenge to Becky who has very limited experience of competing on tarmac.

She will once again use her KC, Bardahl Oils, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Peart Auto Services, Rally4Real and Songasport-backed Ford Fiesta ST with Kaz Watts on co-driving duties.

“Most of my competition experience has been on forest rallies so I will have to learn how the car handles on tarmac,” said Becky.

“The stages look quite daunting, very fast in places with a lot of bumps and jumps to catch you out. My plan will be to get through the Friday night stages unscathed and then try to push on in the Saturday stages.”

Becky will face three stages on Friday evening starting with the extremely popular spectator stage through the streets of Duns before heading to the Bothwell and Abbey stages, the Abbey stage in particular being notoriously tough. Another five stages will be tackled on Saturday including the Swinton stage with its huge jumps.

“I’m looking forward to the rally, it’s going to be a real challenge but I’m up for it and ready for the start. Hopefully we can pick up a good haul of championship points.”

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk for all the latest KC Rally Team news.


01.05.11: Becky shines on Pirelli Challenge rally

KC Rally Team driver Becky Kirvan continued her BRC Challenge championship campaign last weekend with an excellent second in class on the Pirelli Challenge rally.

Becky, from Burton Pidsea, was contesting the event in her KC, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Bardahl Oils, Rally4Real, Songasport and Peart Auto Services-backed Ford Fiesta ST and after an encouraging result on the opening championship round in early April she was keen to put in another good performance on the Carlisle-based event.

The rally started in dry and sunny conditions with the Falstone stage to the north of Kielder Water and Becky, together with co-driver Kaz Watts, made a solid start, getting used to the surface of the notoriously tricky Kielder forest roads. The longest stage of the event, Bower, was next and Becky’s only problem was getting held up by another car which had lost a wheel and was travelling slowly along the course.

One stage remained before the crews headed for a service halt and Becky successfully negotiated it despite a couple of high-speed slides.

"The morning stages went quite well," said Becky. "I was cautious in Falstone as the surface was particularly loose which made the car slide around a lot, I did not want to risk a first stage accident."

"I pushed harder in the long stage two but getting stuck behind a car cost us a fair bit of time, the dusty conditions meant that he couldn’t see us so didn’t pull over immediately."

"I continued to press on in the third stage and perhaps pushed a little too hard as there were several places where the Fiesta got out of shape but fortunately I controlled the slides!"

Following the service halt the crews faced another three tough stages in Kielder forest, Shepherdshield, Pundershaw and Chirdonhead. Becky kept her pace up in the first two stages before backing off slightly to ensure she made it to the finish on the final one after seeing several of her fellow competitors off the road. Her tactics paid off as she arrived at the finish at Carlisle racecourse in 16th overall and second in class.

"The stages had several broken cars in them and with one of the crews going off just in front of us on the final stage, I made the decision to reduce my pace and make sure we made it to the finish, although if I'd have known at the time we were only three seconds behind 15th place I think I'd not have backed off quite so much, but that's one of the risks you take I guess! "

"I’m really happy with the result, the test session we did before the Pirelli helped me a lot and I feel I am getting a lot more used to the pace and handling of the Fiesta. There’s still more to come from both the car and myself and I can’t wait for the next championship round."

Becky’s next event will be the Jim Clark Challenge rally at the end of May. Please visit
www.beckykirvan.co.uk or www.facebook.com/beckykirvanrallying to keep up to date with all the latest news and photos from the KC Rally Team.

25.04.11: BEXBLOG 12

Hey there!

Well preparations are well underway for Pirelli with only a few days to go till the KC rally team sets off for Carlisle! I've been working on my pacenotes and the stages look reeeeeally fast so I know I'm going to have to be on the pace from the very start.

I experienced a taster of Kielder forest on my first ever rally - the Lombard - I don't remember a great deal about it though other than a brief moment of getting "beached" on the side of the stage, so I'll be looking to avoid that this time around!

We went testing at Sweet Lamb in Wales last weekend which was great and it was a good preparation for us. I'll have four brand new tyres on for the rally too which is a bit of a luxury!

If we can get any phone reception up in Kielder we’ll try and do some live updates!

Bex

24.04.11: Becky ready to take on Pirelli challenge

KC Rally Team driver Becky Kirvan will resume her BRC Challenge championship campaign next weekend when she contests the Pirelli Challenge rally.

Becky, from Burton Pidsea, took third in class on the opening championship round in early April and after a day testing her KC, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Bardahl Oils, Rally4Real, Songasport and Peart Auto Services-backed Ford Fiesta she is hoping for another good finish on the Carlisle-based event.

"I was pleased to get a solid finish on the opening championship round," said Becky. "It was my first event in the Fiesta so I spent the event learning the car and getting used to my new co-driver Kaz Watts. After a steady start we increased our pace on the afternoon stages as Kaz and I settled into a rhythm and I became more confident in the car."

"Since the event we’ve had some time testing in Wales to get more miles in the car and that went well so hopefully we can put that experience to use on the Pirelli and I'll be looking to up the pace a notch or two!"

The rally consists of six competitive stages in the famous rallying territory of Kielder forest which are sure to provide a stern test to the competitors and their machines.

"I competed in some parts of Kielder on my very first event in 2006 so I’ve got some knowledge of how tricky the stages can be. It will be a tough event but I’m confident we can get a good result."

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk or www.facebook.com/beckykirvanrallying to keep up to date with all the latest news and photos from the KC Rally Team.

03.04.11: Becky takes third in class on KC Rally Team debut

Burton Pidsea rally driver Becky Kirvan debuted her new KC Rally Team Ford Fiesta ST last weekend on the Bulldog Challenge event in Wales, taking third in class on a very tough rally which tested both car and crew to the maximum.

After a ceremonial start in Welshpool town centre on Friday evening the competitive action of the opening BRC Challenge championship round kicked off on Saturday morning with the Penllyn stage near Bala. Heavy rain in the hours before the rally had made the forest tracks treacherous and conditions were not ideal for Becky to get used both to a new car and new co-driver Kaz Watts.

"The course was extremely slippery on the first stage, it was like driving on ice in places", said Becky. "We took a cautious approach and got to the finish of the stage without any major problems."

The crews headed to the Dyfnant stage next which was followed by the popular Woodyard spectator stage. Becky continued to build her confidence in the KC, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Bardahl Oils, Rally4Real, Songasport and Peart Auto Services-backed Fiesta and she had a good run through both tests to lie third in class.

"I enjoyed the Woodyard stage, it’s not very long but there are always loads of spectators there which really adds to the atmosphere of the event. I liked getting the car airbourne at the finish line jump as well although we didn't have it marked as a jump in the notes so it was a bit unexpected!"

After a service halt in Welshpool Becky faced the daunting Gartheiniog stage which, at nearly 16 miles long, was the longest she has ever undertaken in her rally career. With the tracks drying and her knowledge of the car improving Becky enjoyed a clear run through the stage which saw many fellow competitors crash out or suffer terminal mechanical problems.

The event ended with two stages in Dyfi forest which Becky completed with no problems and she maintained her third in class as the crews crossed the finish line back at Welshpool.

"I’m delighted to get a finish on my first event in the Fiesta, it was a very tough rally and I still have a lot of learning to do as the new car is hugely different to my old one. I'm now looking to build on the experience I have gained on this event."

"My main priority for the rally was to get to the end in one piece and I’m pleased to have achieved that. Thanks to all my sponsors for providing the support which let me do the event – it was great to see Mark Conway from KC cheering me on in the stages!"

Becky will next be in action on the Pirelli Challenge event which is based in Carlisle and takes place at the end of April.

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk or www.facebook.com/beckykirvanrallying to keep up to date with all the latest news and photos from the KC Rally Team.


30.03.11: BEXBLOG 11

Hey there! As you will already know from my new-look website we have now signed on the dotted line with Hull communications firm KC as our new main sponsor for the 2011 season which we are all really excited about! They have joined my other new supporters for this year Princes Quay Shopping Centre and Bardahl Oil so I would like to say a BIG thank you to all of my sponsors who have made it possible for me to go rallying in the BRC Challenge this year!

Kaz Watts has come on board too to enable us to form the only all-female crew of the championship – Kaz and I teamed up back in 2007 on the Mid-Wales Stages rally and since then have formed a great friendship so we are both really looking forward to the first event, which that just happens to be in 2 days time!! It’s all go at the KC Rally Team HQ getting the last few bits and bobs organised, the pacenotes refined and Freddie the Fiesta spruced up! Tomorrow we’ll be packing up the van and then on Friday morning we’ll head on down to Welshpool.

We are hoping to do updates from the event on my Facebook page (facebook.com/BeckyKirvanRallying) and Twitter (@becky_rallying) - subject to having a phone signal in the forests!

Wish us luck!
Bex


27.03.11: KC Rally Team set for Bulldog Challenge debut

The KC Rally Team will make their debut next week on the Bulldog Challenge event in Wales, the opening round of the BRC Challenge championship.

Driver Becky Kirvan from Burton Pidsea will compete for the team which is supported by KC, provider of communications services to homes and businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire, as well as Kirvan’s existing supporters Princes Quay shopping centre, Bardahl Oils, Rally4Real, Songasport and Peart Auto Services.

After a successful 2010 which saw her win the BTRDA Ladies championship Kirvan will make the step up to the BRC Challenge in 2011 in a Ford Fiesta ST and she will be partnered by MSA English championship-winning co-driver Karen Watts to form the only all-female crew in the Challenge.

“I am delighted to receive support from KC which will allow me to compete in the BRC Challenge,” said Kirvan. “It’s going to be a really exciting year as all the rallies will be new to me and I’ll be competing on famous events such as the Jim Clark rally and Rally Isle of Man.”

“There will be a lot of learning to do, especially on the events which take place on tarmac as all my recent experience is on forest events, but I am confident that we will do well and get plenty of exposure for the KC brand and my other supporters.”

Mark Conway, KC’s Director of Business Services, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Becky as she embarks on the next stage of her rallying career. Her performance last year in winning the BTRDA Ladies championship was inspiring, and we’re sure that this year she’ll make her mark on the BRC Challenge championship too.”

The BRC Challenge season kicks off with the Bulldog event on April 2nd before taking in rounds in Cumbria, Berwickshire, Ulster, Yorkshire and the Isle of Man. The Bulldog is based in Welshpool and it will include stages in Penllyn and Dyfi forests as well as the highly popular Woodyard spectator stage.

“I can’t wait to get to the start line”, commented Kirvan. “I competed in one of the forests used on the Bulldog on another event last year although I think it will be totally different in my new car. We’ll be aiming to get a good finish and a decent haul of points to kick-off our championship.”

Please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk for all the latest team news and details of the team newsletter, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

08.02.11: Becky dances on ice in Sweden

Burton Pidsea rally driver Becky Kirvan continued her preparations for the 2011 season last weekend when she headed to Sweden to experience competition-speed driving on snow and ice for the first time at the Ice-Drive event.

The event was held on a frozen lake at Rörbäcksnäs just over the Norwegian border. The lake is frozen for around four months each year and the thick icy surface was a good test of rally driving technique.

2010 BTRDA Ladies Champion Kirvan had two days on the lake in a powerful four wheel drive Mitsubishi Evo rally car and she spent the time honing her driving skills in the extremely difficult conditions. Despite never having driven a four wheel drive vehicle before Kirvan quickly adapted to the both the car and the conditions.

"The ice was a great place to refine my driving technique as every input is massively exaggerated," said Kirvan. "You have to drive with a lot of control and anticipate precisely what the car is going to do, if you fail to do that then you are guaranteed to spin off the course."

"We were using Scandinavian winter road tyres on the car rather than studded rally tyres but even so, the grip was phenomenal considering we were basically driving on a giant ice rink! It was still extremely hard work keeping the car under control as we went quicker though."

With darkness falling at around 4pm each day, Kirvan also took the opportunity to practice some night driving as temperatures dropped to –17 degrees.

"It was a fantastic experience and a steep learning curve for me but I think it was very worthwhile and it has definitely helped me refine my rally driving skills which I can now transfer to driving my own Ford Fiesta ST this season."

Kirvan is hoping to secure support to enable her to compete in the British Rally Championship, starting with the Bulldog Rally in early April. To get involved with the Becky Kirvan Rallying team and to see the marketing opportunities available to team supporters please visit www.beckykirvan.co.uk.

10.02.11: BEXBLOG 10

Exciting News! Princes Quay shopping centre in Hull have offered me some support for the 2011 rally season so keep you eye out for my beautiful rally car which will soon be on display in the shopping centre Atrium. Many thanks to the Princes Quay!

17.01.11: BEXBLOG 09

Happy New Year!! Well it's the new year and we've spent the winter break working very hard on trying to get some sponsorship for the 2011 season. My aim is to contest in either the BRC International or the BRC Challenge championship but it will all depend on what support I can get! We went to Autosport last Friday and had a good day speaking to various people and organisations.

I'm very pleased to be able to announce that we have made a sponsorship agreement with Bardahl Oils who produce top quality synthetic motor oils and who I believe will provide me with the oils that will get the best out of my rally car.

This year we will be running a Fiesta ST so it's a great step up from the Rally First Micra we used in 2010 - for a start it's a 2 litre and it's much higher spec, so we have the close ratio gearbox, limited slip diff and some amazing suspension! Very exciting!

Watch this space for more news!

Bex

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ OUR NEWS ARCHIVE