Communiqués de presse - The Rally Scene

The Rally Scene

As rally has become significantly more established in MRC over the last few seasons since its inception, let's have a round-up of Rally as it stands, prior to the launch of the inaugural top flight World Rally Series in Season 42.

World Rally Series

That's right! It's finally time for the launch of the Rally world's top flight competition! After a few establishing seasons in the juniors, Rally finally hits the main stage. Coming in with a series rating of 2.0, and a cool €1,000,000 entry fee, this series will see the world's #1 rally driver (in MRC) and defending WRS2 champion Wynn Hunter throw down against some VERY accomplished names from other series! Hunter has not been shy in welcoming all challengers in this fledgeling discipline, and it remains to be seen if those who far-outrank him in rating can formulate a title challenge themselves!

World Rally Series 2

Presently the highest discipline saw many graduates from WRS3 - which debuted as the only rally series in Season 40 - vie to claim their place in the overall power rankings. After a dominant season, British youngster (sort of...) Wynn Hunter put the hauntings of his past behind him in emphatic style. After narrowly missing out on the WRS3 championship to Martin Vaculik last season, the 22 year old Brit made a real statement in WRS2 by winning 10 of 14 rounds, and taking the title with a 92 point margin to Vaculik, who was actually pushed hard for P2 by the frighteningly promising Visvaldis Ceļš, another WRS3 graduate who made a big name for himself last year, claiming a fantastic P3, but showing all of the hallmarks of a future champion. He also becomes the first driver to take a win from Hunter and Vaculik, who had shared every victory in the class to date.

World Rally Series 3

Sometimes, sticking out a series for another season affords you the opportunity to showcase what you can do. This was absolutely the case for Dave Varadi, the Hungarian came home 4th in the standings last season, but opted not to jump up to WRS2 with his other rivals. Instead, Varadi too ran away with ten victories on his way to a mammoth margin! Though, on the occasions that he did not take top honours, there was a little more variety on the top step! Three other different winners went home with a shiny piece of silverware: 21 year old Leon Zitone (2 wins), the now-retired Nikolay Rytov (1), and Spanish driver Raul Gavilan (1).

Rookie Series Rally

Whomsoever decides to stay in WRS3 for Season 42 looks set to be joined by the newly crowned (and inaugural) Rookie Series Rally Champion, British teenager Raul Lee-Cross. The rally-focussed driver made his appearance on the debut stage two weeks late after missing the opening rounds while his manager sorted out the disolving contract of his previous driver. All was not plain sailing for Raul, who had to contend with being defaulted to different chassis week on week, from the Mini one week, to the Focus the next, the Yaris the week after, but all things considered, and despite binning it a few times in the pursuit of pushing boundaries, Raul was crowned as the first ever Rookie Champion for Rally!

Good luck to everyone across all disciplines in MRC for the upcoming season! Let's hope next season's round-up offers some great stories!