THE boss of the Probite British Rally Championship says he feels like a proud parent after Belfast driver Kyle White announced that he will continue his association with the mixed surface series.
For 2024, White – the reigning Junior British Rally champion – is stepping up to the premier class after getting the necessary funds in place to purchase a R5 version of Hyundai Motorsport’s i20.
Sealing the title meant the 27-year-old followed in the wheel tracks of compatriots Kris Meeke, Callum Devine, William Creighton and Josh McErlean who have used the success as a springboard.
“The Junior British Rally Championship has always been a highly regarded series for young drivers to hone their skills across both surfaces, on top events in an ultra-competitive playing field,” said Championship manager Reece Tarren.
“The likes of Elfyn Evans, William Creighton, Josh McErlean and many others have all cut their teeth in the Junior British Rally Championship and gone on to progress their careers at world level.
“But it also provides the perfect proving ground to progress as a driver – and Kyle is someone who has proved that over the course of the last three years.
“Seeing him step into BRC1 makes us feel like proud parents in a way and it is fantastic to see him achieve a lifelong ambition to step into Rally2 machinery.
“He’s a real character to have in the series and we look forward to seeing how he progresses over the course of the season,” added Tarren.
For White, the decision to stick with the British Championship and move up a tier was a logical move given that he has sampled most of the events that feature on this season’s calendar.
His decision was also influenced by the £5,500 worth of free entries that came with winning the Junior crown.
White – who opens his account in England on the weekend of March 22/23 on the Legend Fires North West Stages – said: “It made sense to enter the British Rally Championship this year, as I am now familiar with the rallies and I believe that can play a vital part in adapting to the new car.
“We have very limited expectations for this year – I have not driven the car yet and apart from a small test before the first round, we will have no seat time, so we are going to treat this year as a learning year. The hope is that we can compete for victory in the latter stages of the season.”
White has been working hard in the background during the off-season to get a deal over the line that has allowed him to purchase – and run – a R5 example of Hyundai Motorsport’s i20.
“For the upcoming season, the South Korean supermini is going to sport a striking black and gold livery.
“It is surreal to say that I own a Hyundai i20, and to have the opportunity to step up into the BRC1 category is mind blowing,” said White.
“From watching the series as a young boy with the likes of Gwyndaf Evans winning at the time to now competing against some of the elite drivers in the world is very humbling given that our small team is punching above our weight.
“It is testament to the hard work we have put in over the years.”