THE reputation of ‘Killer Kielder’ is returning as the area will now play host to stages in the opening two rounds of the upcoming British Rally Championship (BRC).

More than 100 top class drivers will head to the region on both occasions as races in Kielder Forest will help kickstart the 2017 programme of the newly reinstated championship.

To go with the local stages as part of the Pirelli Rally in April, the area will now also feature in the opening round as Whickham and District Motor Club (WDMC) and Hawick and Border Car Club jointly host the Brick and Steel Border Counties Rally.

During the 1980s right up until the 1990s, Kielder was always used as a stage for the glittering World Rally Championship and attracted the sport’s biggest names such as Colin McRae.

The two clubs have welcomed stages on the Scottish Rally Championship (SRC), and northern equivalent, for years, and their good work has been recognised as they were chosen as the ideal location to start the BRC after the original starting event organised by Newtown and District Motor Club was cancelled.

And all are excited to be added to the BRC, the Holy Grail for British drivers.

WDMC chairman Ollie Currie, of Hexham, said: “Rallying in the region, particularly Kielder, goes back to the 80s and 90s when we had the World Championships.

“The world’s best used to come so the stages of Kielder are world famous. It was known as ‘Killer Kielder’ because the route is so narrow and the ditches are so big that, if you go off, there’s not a cat in hell’s chance of getting back on!

“Getting the BRC round is massive for both clubs, and for the sport in the region, and having it up here is a boost for the area.

“All teams have drivers and co-drivers, usually two mechanics plus more support, so it is going to be great for bed and breakfasts and the local economy.

“It’s good that we have got the first round too because all the cars and the crews are fresh, and they will be throwing down the gauntlet to see who is going to be the frontrunners this season.”

The opening round will be held over the weekend of March 17, with the seven stages spread over both sides of the borders. On the English side, the Wauchope Forest, part of Kielder Forest, will feature. In previous years, the SRC has attracted 100 drivers but the BRC will bring in more entrants this time round.

And it is an opportunity to prove to the BRC organisers that the area is a great spot for the championship.

Ollie said: “Based on our strong position within the SRC, if we can run it well then it puts us in good stead to maintain our standing on the British Championship for years.

“So we’ve got a lot of hard work to put in to organising it, and we have to rise to the next level and hopefully keep it in the area for years to come.”

david.coulter@hexham-courant.co.uk