Raynor Revs Up

Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship contender Shawn Rayner is revving up for the new season and looking for success thanks to what he hopes will be a winning combination; a revamped car and a new sponsor.

With the championship’s opening round, the Rally Marketing Mid Wales Stages, now just four weeks away, Shawn and co-driver Declan Dear have given their trusty Pinto-powered Ford Escort Mk2 a complete rebuild over the winter months. With help from their new backer, specialist design and build firm Ultra Home, the pairing have their eyes on the prize of winning Category Three (1975-‘81 cars) and also the ultra competitive 2-litre D3 class. “Pre-season preparation is all-important, especially with eight very challenging rallies ahead, and some hot competition both in our class and the Category,” says Shawn. “We have stripped the car right back to a bare shell and renewed all the suspension and back axle. Also, the engine has been completely rebuilt by (Pinto specialist) HT Racing, near Brands Hatch.”

Windsor-based Shawn was a force to be reckoned with in Ford Escorts throughout the 1980s and ‘90s. He dropped out of the sport in 1995, but was attracted back specifically by the challenge of the British Historic Rally Championship. “The car had sat in the garage since ‘95, and when I decided I would like another go at rallying I wondered if an Escort could still ‘cut it’ in competition,” he says. “I looked at using a modern car but it can be very costly if you want to be competitive. Then I went to some BHRC rounds and immediately realised it was an ideal championship for my type of car. Just as importantly, there is a very friendly atmosphere among the crews in the Mintex MSA series.”

Since his comeback, Shawn has teamed up with Declan - the son of his former co-driver, Steve – and has formed a very strong partnership. Together, they won both their class and the HRCR Cup in 2011. Work commitments limited Shawn’s appearances in 2012 but his success came to the notice of Ultra Home, who has given the crew backing for a full season in 2013. “Having strong support from Ultra Home is such a great help to us, and we hope to repay their generosity by making sure their name is seen on the winner’s rostrum as often as possible,” says Shawn.

The opening round of the Mintex MSA British Historic series will be the Rally Marketing Mid Wales Stages, based in Newtown, Powys, on Sunday March 3rd. As always, BHRC crews will run ahead of the modern cars, ensuring they have the added advantage of competing while the stage surface is in the best possible condition.

Further details plus full regulations and championship registration forms for the 2013 Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship are available from the Historic Rally Car Register’s website, at www.hrcr.co.uk.