Paul Beaton and Euan Thorburn looking to challenge in new British Rally Championship
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The 2014 Scottish champions will be part of a strong field when the season gets under way in March, and co-driver Beaton is optimistic of their chances.
World Rally Championship driver Elfyn Evans is the man to beat, but Max Vatanen, son of former British champion Ari, along with Thorburn’s long-time rival David Bogie, provide major challenges.
Beaton, from Drakies in Inverness, will continue his partnership with Thorburn in their new Peugeot 208 R5 and hopes their experience in four-wheel drive cars puts them at an advantage come the start of the season.
“We have had a lot of four-wheel drive experience and done bigger rallies, competed well and set times up there with the best,” said Beaton. “We’re not scared of anyone in the championship.
“The level of competition is frightening, but our aim is to beat Elfyn’s times, which will be the benchmark.”
The only drawback Beaton can see for the duo’s chances is that they are financing the drive themselves. Many racers will have the backing of a team behind them, meaning they do not have to bear the financial burden of running or repairing a car.
Beaton and Thorburn’s new car was tested on the mountain roads of Mont Blanc in the French Alps in November.
An offer for their Ford Fiesta was made on Hogmanay and Thorburn, from Duns, spent the next 24 hours updating it to the specifications required for gravel racing. Their Peugeot came in from Hungary last week.
“We have been in talks with Peugeot and they are doing all the upgrades on the works cars to ours, so we’re not going to be lagging behind,” said Beaton. “The Ford had a 2000cc engine with no turbo, whereas this one is 1600cc with a turbo. There’s not much difference at the top end, but at the low end, where you’re having to negotiate tight corners, there’s a massive difference. Euan is a really talented driver and there have been times when we’ve said we really needed a boost and he’s pulled it out. We’re going to have to do that on every stage in the BRC.”
The pair have previous experience in the championship, first taking part in 2010, and they beat five-times Scottish champion Bogie to the national title in 2014.
Beaton, who works for Cairn Housing, was quick to praise the efforts of friend Iain Campbell, who was charged with resurrecting the championship after a dormant year.
“Without doubt this is now the biggest championship in the UK,” said Beaton. “He’s always been really good at organising rallies and the coverage this is going to get, being on BT Sport and Channel 4, is something it’s never had before.”
If they do have success that could be used as a stepping stone for Beaton and Thorburn to progress on to greater things. “The next step would be the European Championship,” said Beaton.
