Eco Tyre initiative Greenerways Rally

The forest rally Eco Tyre initiative is set to move up a gear on the 25th October this year with the one-off Greenerways Rally, which will be run by the Cumberland Sporting Car Club and held in the Kielder forest complex. The aim of the event is to evaluate the newly designed Pirelli Eco Tyre in rally conditions, with the Forestry Commission and MSA on hand to witness the outcome.

The organisers of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship brought Pirelli UK and Forestry Commission together at the end of 2007, running a test with Kris Meeke to see what affect tyre design would have on reducing erosion of forestry tracks. The test was hailed a huge success with Forestry Commission asking the sport to organise a rally where all of the cars would run an Eco Tyre in true competition.

Because the brand new designed tyre comes straight from the Pirelli factory, the restriction on size means that the Greenerways Rally will be for four wheel drive production-based cars including Super 2000 only. Any car from Group N Sapphire Cosworth to Subaru N14 or Super 2000 is eligible, basically anything that has been homologated in Group N4 and still conforms to the spirit of the class.

Open to any competitor holding an MSA issued rally licence, the format is compact to assist in cost saving by holding the event over just one day. More akin to a rally time trial, competitors (driver and co-driver) who enter the event will get to recce the track before tackling four timed runs over a five mile stage in the Kielder Forest complex.

BRC Manager Mark Taylor added, “Having seen the results of the original test for myself, I firmly believe that the Eco Tyre is the way forward, it ticks so many boxes. I'm appealing to everyone involved in the sport to support the event, whether you are competitors, marshals or organisers, this is so important to the future of forest stage rallying.”

In another innovation, the entry fee for the event will include the use of four of Pirelli Eco Tyres, a recce of the stage and an inclusive shakedown session so drivers can adjust their cars to suit the new rubber.

David Higgins, current British Rally Championship leader said, “It’s a great concept for an event to test the benefits of this new Eco tyre, and anyone can enter irrespective of your licence grade.” Adding, “I plan to support the rally and think it is important that those involved in the sport consider there impact on the environment, we all have a responsibility here and so hopefully this will help secure a future for forest rallying in the UK.”

More information and regulations will be available on the website week commencing 4th August. Visit greenerwaysrally.co.uk