White chooses Peugeot 208 Rally4 for Junior BRC campaign

In 2021, 25 year old Kyle White from Dunmurry, County Antrim, had a sensational debut season in the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship (BRC). Kyle and Banbridge co-driver Sean Topping in their Peugeot 208 R2 recorded a superb second place in the Junior category. They startled many onlookers with some stand out performances during the year, and even led the Junior BRC after two rounds, using an older generation R2 car against their main rivals equipped with new Rally 4 machines.

Now for Kyle 2022 it’s back to the Junior BRC, back with a Peugeot 208, however not in last years 1600cc naturally aspirated version, but a new Peugeot Sport built 1.2 litre turbo-charged Rally4 weapon! “I have literally just got this new car, and I’ve only taken it a run up the road and it feels sensational up through the gears! It’s going to take a bit of learning as it’s much more about torque with the turbo engine, rather than the high revving nature of the R2.”

Now Kyle and Sean are on a more equal footing with their category rivals, and the first BRC round is looming- the closed road Clacton Rally on 23^rd and 24^th April. “Our plan is to contest the Circuit of Ireland two day event the weekend before, and that will be our test mileage for Clacton. I need to finish with there only being a week between the rallies, and learn. The first two round of the British Championship are on tarmac, with the second in Scotland for the Jim Clark Rally. I’m really looking forward to that one as I have heard a lot about it, and then we switch to gravel for the Nicky Grist Stages in Wales.” Kyle and Sean took a fine podium on the Nicky Grist event last year, but Kyle forecasts the forests will be the toughest for him. “I think I will have to put a lot of work into learning the forest driving with the new car. That’s were I feel I will have to adjust my driving more to the torque of the engine, but it’s a challenge I cannot wait to take on.”

When not working away during the week in the family garage business, Kyle White is focused on going for a golden prize this year. The Junior BRC champion will be offered a drive on a World Rally Championship round in a Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing built i20 N Rally2. “It’s my last chance in the Junior BRC, and to be able to go for this prize. The age limit is actually 25, and I’m 26 this year but it was extended by a year because of the loss of the 2020 season due to Covid-19. I need consistency through-out the year, something which fell away for us last season and just to give it 100% commitment. It’s the British Championship so there is no question the opposition is going to be tough, and speeds high!”

The team are thankful for the support from Gary White Car Sales, Finaghy Cleaning & Support Services, LA Distribution NI Ltd, Gilmore Engineering Services, Jetvent Limited and Snap-On Tools. Kyle would very much welcome any additionial  backing to ensure a full attack on one of the most prestigious rally championships in the world.

2022 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship Calendar

Round 1 – Corbeau Seats Rally Tendring & Clacton – Clacton – 23/24 April

Round 2 – Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally – Duns – 27/28 May

Round 3 – Nicky Grist Stages – Builth Wells – 9 July

Round 4 – Grampian Forest Stages – Banchory – 13 August

Round 5 – Get Connected Rali Bae Ceredigion – Aberystwyth – 3/4 September

Round 6 – Trackrod Rally Yorkshire – Filey – 23/24 September

Round 7 – Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally – Llandudno – 29 October

Reserve Round – Oulton Park Stages –  Oulton Park – 5 November