The next running of the rally will be on Saturday 18th January 2025 - See below for planning update and sample stage diagram, issued 15th November 2024
The Supplementary Regulations are available by clicking on this link
Entry Form - live from 20:00, 18th November 2024 - link
Entry list - link
Hotel Accommodation - The rally has negotiated a 15% discount for the Brands Hatch Mercure Hotel, to be used specifically for this event. Please use discount code EVEBB when booking online. There are many other hotels in the area such as Premier Inn, bookable through their own websites or popular travel booking websites.
Planning update and sample draft stage diagram. 15 November 2024
Since the last running of the MGJ Engineering Brands Hatch Winter Stages, we’ve been working with MSV to explore new layouts for the rally. There’s lots to consider, including the areas available to us, Motorsport UK regulations and spectator access. Ahead of entries and marshal registration opening on Monday 18th November, at 20:00, we have a progress update for you.
Our initial plans were ambitious and we were all working towards a layout which may be familiar to some from the summer event (last run in 2014). Our plans for 2025 used the rally school, before a new competitive link section to get us to the Grand Prix circuit. This meant access to South Bank for spectators would be restricted at some times during the day, and due to this and a concern over road conditions, a few weeks ago MSV asked us to revisit our plans.
While this is a shame, it’s really important we work with MSV as the venue operator and respect their needs and wishes. The team went back to the drawing board, and we’re pleased to share this draft stage diagram with you, so you have an idea of what to expect next January.
The stages planned for January include:
- A new stage start location under the bridge at Pilgrims Drop on the Grand Prix circuit. Increased use of the Clearways loop throughout the day.
- With Motorsport UK regulations changing, to allow the stages to run at an increased average speed, we’ve removed the chicanes at Paddock Hill, meaning crews will tackle this iconic bend at full speed.
- New splits and merges.
- A new stage finish on the return road to the outer paddock, before the tunnel.
We aim to offer a fresh challenge to our competitors, having taken on the feedback in recent years that stages were becoming repetitive, as well as ensuring a high percentage of the stage is viewable from key locations for spectators.
We hope to see you in January, whether as a competitor, marshal, radio crew, official, spectator, service crew or whatever role you attend in!
2024 - top 3
Our Top 3 drivers, sadly missing the co-drivers who'd attempted to escape a further drenching!
Top 3 crews overall.
1. Michael Igoe/Will Atkins - Citroen C3 Rally 2
2. John Griffiths/Emma Morrison - Ford Fiesta R5
3. Ollie O’Donovan/Ashleigh Morris - Hyundai I20 R5
Class results, and all other results information is here: https://www.rallies.info/res.php?e=555
