The 2021 event will be the 62nd consecutive running of the Dukeries Rally and will provide 55 stage miles split into 6 separate stages.
It is the third event of the 2021/22 Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship and will see the winners of Rounds 1 and 2; Frank Bird and Neil Roskell go head to head at Donington Park. Bird was the word at Oulton Park in November as the GT World Challenge racer claimed win number 12 of his short rally career, but his absence from Cadwell Park for Monza WRC duties gave his closest rival Roskell the opportunity he needed to grab a maiden MN Circuit Rally victory, and a one-point championship lead in the process.
Number one seeds Bird and Jack Morton now have the chance to put the record straight on their return, the Dukeries Rally being where Bird both made his rally debut two year ago and was victorious when the championship visited Donington Park in 2020.
Roskell comes in at number two after a popular and professional victory at Cadwell and will give chase at an event that is as much about negotiating traffic as it is rallying ability, but Bird’s Donington experience from racing will make him tough to beat once more.
Behind the two Ford Fiesta drivers in at number three will be Barry Morris. The Darrian driver clinched his MSN Circuit Rally Championship title here two seasons ago and was right back on form at Cadwell Park with a brace of fastest stage times against the mighty Rally2 and R5 cars, and mixed weather conditions following Storm Arwen could play into his hands after two podium finishes for Mr Consistency.
Former Subaru driver Robert Swann enters a Fiesta Rally2 and is accompanied by the new British Rally Champion Co-Driver Darren Garrod, while Rob Hughes will be pushing for the podium with Sion Cunniff alongside him in an R5 Fiesta after a win 2 weeks ago at Trac Mon in Anglesey. Andy Scott returns in a Fiesta S2000T whilst late entry Rallycross Champion Ollie O’Donovan will be in a Hyundai R5. Josh Payton’s Ford Escort Mk2 will be tough to beat in Class C after an outrageous performance at Cadwell warranted a 3rd overall podium finish.
Joshua Davey’s Darrian lasted the Cadwell visit and will push Payton throughout if reliability maintains itself, while the Ford Fiestas of Darrell Taylor, Mike English and Paul Murro all want a piece of the frontrunning action with several of those still bedding in their new cars.
Chris Ruck is back on the entry list, and his welcome return could strike fear into the Class B competition after a brace of title wins. The Vauxhall Corsa Kit Car is his weapon of choice, but an old favorite in Paul Sheard is also out to prove a point (Mazda MX-5) alongside a healthy entry list including Richard Kay, Alex Cannon and Gary Russell who will want to pounce on class leader Ben Wilkinson’s absence.
Class A sees Laura Christmas bring a well-timed festive theme to the December event in her Austin Mini, among a class filled with variety on show. The real battle to watch will be the all-Nissan Micra duel between class championship contenders James Hardy and Kay Thompson.
There is a distinct Caribbean theme to the event with 2 crews coming over from Barbados and one from Jamaica. Add to that several UK crews who are regular entries on the very popular Rally Barbados who will all be hoping for some dry and sunny weather!
The stage routes for the 2021 MAXUS Dukeries Rally feature some totally new sections of smooth gravel tracks on the infield at the end of each of the competitive stages. This will provide an additional challenge to the Rally crews who are already faced with chicanes, hairpins, access roads and running large parts of the circuit in reverse direction with the last stage mostly in the dark.
Donington’s viewing areas will offer excellent vantage points of the action around the venue, while the paddock and service area will be open throughout, allowing up close views of the cars and crews as they prepare for each stage. Spectators will be able to gain access to the infield area via the pedestrian tunnel alongside the Scrutineering Bay.
Fans flocking to Donington Park will enjoy the unique sight of rally cars in full flow around one of the UK’s most famous racing circuits in many different layouts and directions, with a capacity field of 100 entries.
