Press Releases - The Rally Scene: Season 45

The Rally Scene: Season 45

MRC caps off its largest ever rally season with some monumental shifts in power!

World Rally Series

MRC's flagship rally series had many stories to tell in S45! None more significant than the the title fight itself, which was a genuine, hard-fought clash of titans. Eclipse OEC driver Wynn Hunter has held a monopoly over the series since it's inauguration, but has often alluded to the fierce and ever growing presence of his competition, namely Visvaldis Ceļš, the Latvian charger - three years Hunters junior - waited until mid-season to finally tip the scales, and since doing so, put manners on the defending rally champion! At season's end, with 7 wins apiece, and separated by a meagre 9pts, it was Hunter who managed to prevail one more time, to claim his place in history, as four-time World Rally Champion. The Brit, now under immense pressure to perform, has cited Ceļš as the one to watch for next season, as his own time at the top of the sport is under significant threat!

Further down the order, reigning double WRS2 champion Pankrac Zatacka enjoyed a remarkable debut season in the top flight, racking up ten podiums, and all but one event in the Top 5 on his way to 3rd in the standings!

World Rally Series 2

A remarkable turn of form for 21 year old Jan Zhuk who dominated the series with 11 wins, and saw them crowned as WRS2 Champion on their first attempt, having spent the previous season coming home in P5, one tier down in WRS3! Followed home 50pts adrift by Artis Rezervists, another prominent Latvian name making waves in the sport! A fantastic three-season run of 2nd place in WRS2 came to an end for Szilvester Xalonna, who dropped to 4th behind 22 year old American Jaxson Cole.

World Rally Series 3

WRS3 was a real mixed bag, with wins spread across four drivers, 5 of which went to eventual Champion Jan Schmeltz, whose consistency enabled them to take the crown ahead of WRS3 regular Rytov, who improves on their previous finishes of 3rd, claiming 2nd in the standings. That vacated 3rd place spot was therefor filled by reigning Rookie WRS champion Colin Crash, who - despite not claiming a win in the campaign - enjoyed a fantastic season!

World Rally Junior Series

The very first running of this fledgling series was dominated front to back, by Belgian teenager Steven Warson, who took the title with well over 100pts in the pocket! Warson has sought natural progression up to WRS3 for Season 46!

European Rally Series

Another brand new (and very moderately 1.0 rated) series saw its first action in Season 45 as well, and what a run it was! Champion Jan Hájek took 5 wins in his victorious campaign, compared to the phenomenal 9 wins by veteran Martin Vaculik, the 39 year old, double the age of Hájek, proved he can still put up some serious numbers! Unfortunately for Vaculik, it was one single number too few, losing out on the title by just a single point!!