Turbo Dynamics and Rallye Sunseeker support the South’s rally drivers

Whether it’s Drag Racing, Drifting, Hill-climbing or Rallying, competing in motorsport is not cheap by anyone’s standards. Therefore it is unsurprising that, during the recession, we have been witness to the forced sale of beloved competition cars and falls in the number of competitors entering events. However some of the region’s key companies within the motoring-industry are now helping to buck this trend by supporting the South’s most prestigious rally and the many rally drivers who compete in it.

Christchurch-based turbocharger company, Turbo Dynamics has announced its support of Rallye Sunseeker, the MSA Gravel Rally Championship opening round, which takes place from 26-27th February. The company will be helping to fund the rally and in attendance as headline sponsor of its local stages at Somerley Park in Ringwood; the ancestral home of Viscount Somerton.

Rick Smith, Rallye Sunseeker Event Director, said of the company’s support: “Now in their fifth year, we congratulate Turbo Dynamics on continued support for their major local motorsport event - a welcome gesture in these difficult times.”

Turbo Dynamics’ presence at the event will be a crowd-pleaser; the company will have a stand at Somerley Park featuring turbocharged cars and the ever-popular TD Girls will be in attendance at Scrutineering, the Ceremonial Start (held at Poole Quay this year) and the Ramp Ceremony at Bournemouth Pier.

Another feature at Somerley Park will be the Motorfair, which will have at least six cars from the world-famous Richard Burns Collection on display this year. Richard’s long time co-driver and a major force behind the Richard Burns Foundation, Robert Reid will also be in attendance at the Turbo Dynamics sponsored stages held on Saturday.

Further to Turbo Dynamics’ backing, the Rallye Sunseeker organisers have also adjusted both the structure of the event and entry fee regulations to support competing rally drivers.

The rally format has been compressed so all of the key features (scrutineering, ceremonial start, rally stages and the ramp/awards ceremony) take place over a shorter space of time resulting in lower accommodation costs for the rally drivers who will be travelling from all over the UK to compete. The traditional Bournemouth Gardens stages have also been dropped this year so the event is now all on gravel tracks; saving on the cost of tarmac specification tyres.

The organisers have promised to fully reimburse entry fees from competitors who cannot attend the event and have also introduced some new aspects to the rally. One of these exciting changes is the introduction of the Richard Burns Award in association with the Richard Burns Foundation. The Production Cup winner will get this prestigious trophy, win the four-figure prize money and be photographed with Turbo Dynamics’ gorgeous girls.

Rick Smith said of the new changes supporting the rally competitors: “To keep our position as one of the preeminent rallies in the UK we have to be innovative. All of our new initiatives are designed to provide a great spectacle for spectators.”

For more information on Rallye Sunseeker, please visit rallyesunseeker.co.uk or go to turbodynamics.co.uk for information about Turbo Dynamics.