Martin Rowe to compete in BRC & China – 05.05.06

Former Production World Rally champion Martin Rowe is over-joyed to announce that he will contest the 2006 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship & the Chinese Rally Championship. Rowe, British champion in 1998 driving a Renault Megane Maxi, has been lured back to the championship thanks to the new GpN and S1600 regulations which promise a more level playing field and close competition over the course of the six round season, starting on May 13 with Carlisle's Pirelli International Rally. "The opportunity to return to the BRC this year is due to a very kind offer from Nick Dixon of MND Motorsport," explained Rowe. "I was testing Nick's car earlier this year and he asked me if I would be interested in a comeback and I instantly thought it was a great idea."

Rowe will drive an MND Motorsport prepared N11 Subaru with support from Pirelli Tyres and he will join fellow BRC champions, Mark Higgins, Jonny Milner and Gwyndaf Evans in what promises to be an epic title battle, all fuelled by environment and competitor friendlier Tesco 99 Octane. "This year's championship is going to be really competitive," continued Rowe. "The structure now with GpN cars and a control fuel keeps the costs down but more importantly creates a level playing field."

As well as winning the British Rally Championship, Rowe has also had success on the world stage, taking the title in the 2003 FIA Production Car World Championship for Drivers in a Subaru Impreza WRX STi. The 34 year-old driver who now lives in Oxordshire will be joined by a new co-driver, MSA British Rally Academy member, Robbie Durant. "Robbie will be co-driving for me on the Pirelli, he's one of our rising young stars in the UK and I'm looking forward to being in the car with him."

Rowe is hoping for success on the Pirelli International Rally, run over the weekend of May 13-14 around Carlisle and taking in the fearsome Kielder Forest. It is the opening round of the six event 2006 BRC, culminating with Britain's round of the FIA World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB. "There could be up to ten of us who could win any individual event this year," concluded Rowe. "I can't wait for the championship to begin.".

More about the Chinese championship soon!