University Centre Myerscough student top of the class in British Rally Championship

The Myerscough College & University Centre rally team headed to Belgium for round two of the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship (BRC). Bart Lang and co-driver, Sinclair Young, were contesting the event at the wheel of Myerscough’s Fiesta R2, in the BRC’s Cadet Class.

The car had been re-prepared and switched to asphalt suspension & brakes following the recent Pirelli International Rally, with the team conducting a successful test earlier this month. Bart pronounced himself very happy with the car, with Myerscough students making some setup changes based on his feedback.

The event was a completely new test for the team, and with the rally 278 kilometres long and is held over 23 stages with eight service halts, it was a highly challenging event for the students and for Bart & Sinclair. Victory means they are now leading the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship Cadet class.

Not only were Myerscough College & University Centre students critical to Bart Lang & Sinclair Young’s Prestone MSA British Rally Championship (BRC) Cadet victory, but they were also part of the M-Sport team that took Matt Edwards & Darren Garrod to overall BRC glory. Matt and Darren lead the BRC overall.

The two teams overcame technical problems throughout the two days on fast and twisting asphalt, Bart’s Fiesta requiring a rear axle at Friday’s final service halt, while electrical gremlins threatened to end Matt & Darren’s title challenge.

23-year-old Bart, who is currently completing a BSc (Hons) Motorsport Competition Car Technology study programme, said: ‘’We are in shock to be international class winners.

‘’Every single person who helped me so far deserves a special mention. The service crew pulled a number of miracles along the way to help me get away with some ‘learning on the job’, so well done to my team from Myerscough.’’

“We were looking forward to the event immensely. It was a great opportunity to prove our pace on asphalt and as the team did such a fantastic job in April (during the previous stage), I was confident that the car would be competitive and reliable. It was a gruelling schedule, particularly on Saturday when there was 187 kilometres of flat out rallying."

The rally started on Friday afternoon from outside Ypres’ historic Grote Markt (Cloth Hall). Friday ended for the crews after midnight, with a re-start at 9.30am on Saturday, before the now traditional evening podium celebrations on Saturday evening.

Simon Moss, Lecturer in Vehicle Technology and Motorsport at University Centre Myerscough, said: ‘’It’s a fantastic victory for Bart and Sinclair in the Myerscough College Motorsport Fiesta at Ypres Rally.

‘’Thanks to all the students for a great effort.’’

Bart Lang is the 2017 BTRDA Rally First Champion, with an impressive seven out of eight class wins, and is also the current English Junior Rally Champion. This success has enabled him to progress to the British Rally Championship in his bid to climb the motorsport ladder.

Myerscough College students have rebuilt a Ford Fiesta R2 for the series and will run it, with Bart behind the wheel. This final year of Bart’s study at Myerscough sees him pair up with the College with a view to extending his ties beyond the 2018 season.

The team will contest the remaining four of the championship rallies, which conclude at Wales Rally GB, alongside the World Rally Championship. Both the crew and Myerscough will have increased exposure across the UK and Belgium throughout this season as a result.

Belinda Oldham, Head of Motorsport at Myerscough College and University Centre, said: “Bart has achieved excellent grades in his study, mirrored by excellent results in his rallying. We are looking forward to helping him further showcase his talents in the BRC alongside our own motorsport students who will run the R2 this year.”

The next round is the John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally on 17 - 18 August. Keep an eye on the team’s progress here