Rochdale rally star Steve Brown heads back across the Channel to contest Rally van Wervik

Photo: FlatOut.be

Steve Brown in action on his first overseas event in his Nissan Micra kit car just two weeks ago

Just a fortnight after recording an impressive fifth in class on his first overseas event in Belgium, Nissan Kit Car pilot Steve Brown will sail back across the English Channel this week to contest the next round of the Flanders International Rally Challenge (FIRC), Rally Van Wervik.

With just two weeks between events, Brown has faced a race against time to ready the Micra in time for the second round of the popular series which heads to the far West corner of Belgium for a challenging day’s rallying across the closed public roads surrounding the city of Wervik. With over 95 competitive kilometres ahead, Brown and regular co-driver Paul Stringer are looking to repeat last month’s result where they set some confidence boosting stage times on their way to fifth in the 3F class and finishing just outside the top 50 overall.

The 28-year-old had enjoyed his inaugural overseas outing and has been keen to return to the series ever since. But a two week turnaround has been a tough ask and despite staying out of trouble on the last event, the schedule has meant it’s been a race against time to ready the Nissan Micra for the weekend ahead.

Brown said: “It’s been a busy fortnight but we had already planned this into the calendar so knew that emerging from the ORC Canal Rally unscathed would be more important than ever.

“We are lucky that a thorough check of the car was all that was needed and we can just load up for the return trip”.

After a nervous start to the opening round, Brown is looking forward to challenge ahead.

He added: “The pre-event apprehension pretty much vanished after the first few hundred yards but I’m well aware that we need to treat this event with respect.

“One thing about Belgium is that the roads are very unforgiving and as we are looking for more points to add to our tally, it will be equally important to make sure we record another finish. We simply need to get used to the roads over there so we are taking each event as it comes and if that means not taking any risks, so be it”.

Brown is supported in 2016 by Fuchs Titan Race, Questmead Ltd, 710, PIAA and Pirelli.