New Awards At The Wales Rally GB

New awards will be introduced at the 2006 Wales Rally GB in memory Richard Burns and Michael Park.

The Richard Burns Trophy and a cheque for £1,000 will go to the highest placed British junior driver in overall classification who holds a UK and Northern Ireland passport, a competition licence issued by the Motor Sports Association and was born on or after 1st January 1981. FIA priority 1 or 2 drivers are not eligible for this award.

The Michael Park Trophy will go to the highest placed British junior co-driver in overall classification who holds a UK and Northern Ireland passport, a competition licence issued by the Motor Sports Association and was born on or after 1st January 1981.

Co-drivers accompanying FIA priority 1 or 2 drivers are not eligible for this award.

Commenting on the introduction of these awards, Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of International Motor Sport (IMS), organizers of WRGB said: “On behalf of Wales Rally GB we are delighted to include these two new annual awards. In recognizing the tremendous contribution which both Richard and Michael made to our sport we hope that these awards will inspire young British drivers and co-drivers to achieve their own goals within rallying by adopting the same determination and professionalism which made Richard and Michael so successful.”

Robert Reid, who partnered Richard Burns throughout his career, added: "Wales Rally GB wanted to do something to commemorate Richard and Beef. They already had a young drivers award which was unnamed so with my Richard Burns Foundation hat on it made sense to create a co-drivers award to go alongside it and name it after the boys. Competitors in the Junior, Production and British Rally Championship classes are all eligible for the awards. It is in the spirit of what Richard and Beef would have supported themselves."

Reduced entry fees for amateur drivers in capacity classes N1 and A5 were first introduced in 2005 and announced earlier this year. The £1,445 entry fee, which includes vat, represents a saving of £655 when compared with the lowest standard entry fee.

The event capacity has been increased from 120 to 150 cars, with a guaranteed acceptance of entry for the first 40 amateur drivers – irrespective of age or nationality - who submit a completed entry form and the appropriate entry fee.

Entries close on Wednesday 25th October. The complete entry list is scheduled for publication on Wednesday 1st November, subject to FIA approval.