The race for the 2023 Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship enters a critical phase this weekend as the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Rally [9 September] marks the return to gravel and heads into the final three rounds of the season.
After a brief spell on the asphalt of the Tour of Epynt in July, Britain’s premier historic rally championship returns to the forests and the Ludlow-based Woodpecker Rally takes competitors into the woods on both sides of the England and Wales border.
Leading the fight heading for Shropshire is the FIAT 131 Abarth of Nick Elliot and Dave Price after a consistent season which has seen them never finish outside of the podium spots on each round so far.
However, their lead is just nine points thanks to an equally impressive run of form from BHRC newcomer Tom Walster. The Ford Escort MKII driver hasn’t quite had the podiums of rival Elliot, but he hasn’t been far behind and a good run over the Woodpecker stages could well see him close the gap.
With two wins to their name, Roger Chilman and Patrick Walsh were looking to be running away with the title in the opening half of the season, but a non-finish on the Plains Rally scuppered their lead.
The event sees the return of some familiar names too, with the likes of Adrian Hetherington and Ronan O’Neil making the trip across the Irish Sea having not been seen in the series since May after a non-finish at the Plains Rally.
Robert Gough makes a comeback on his home event with Paul Morris in the co-drivers seat of the Escort MKII.
Eight stages and 43 miles await crews with stages in both Wales and England and centering around the event’s Ludlow Racecourse base.
