MOMENTS THAT MADE 2019 SPECIAL

The festive period is a great time to reflect on the year that has just been put in the book, and the motorsport fan has plenty to mull over while downing the mulled wine.

There were landmark performances in every area of motor racing, and Motorsport News has shone a light over the notable drives and memorable moments that mark 2019 as one of the stand-out years.

From a brand-new World Rally champion in Ott Tanak to a six-time Formula 1 title winner in Lewis Hamilton, there were highlights in every branch of motorsport.

MN is a broad church, and we have included the show-stopping showing from all corners of racing and rallying.

So, sit back with a mince pie and reflect. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Our guides to the highlights of the last 12 months are David Evans, Matt James, Paul Lawrence, Stephen Lickorish, Stefan Mackley, James Newbold and Hal Ridge.

50 THORBURN’S RALLYING DOMINANCE

When: All year

Where: Across the UK

To say Euan Thorburn had a dominant season in the Scottish Rally Championship and BTRDA Gold Star Series would be something of an understatement.

At the wheel of his Ford Focus WRC05 and with co-driver Paul Beaton alongside, Thorburn won nine of the 10 rallies that he competed in during 2019.

Victories on the Cambrian, Malcom Wilson, Rallynuts and Plains rallies as well as the Nicky Grist Stages gave him a perfect score in the BTRDA series as he secured his second title in the category.

It was almost the same story in his native homeland, with success on the Border Counties, Speyside, Argyll and Grampian events.

The only blight on his CV was the Scottish Rally, as he finished runner-up to David Bogie’s Skoda Fabia R5 by just six seconds.

Nevertheless, he still did more than enough to claim a third Scottish crown. SM

49 TIMMY HANSEN WINS WORLD RALLYCROSS TITLE

When: November 10

Where: South Africa

If the conclusion of the World Rallycross Championship was a movie script, it would be considered far-fetched.

Timmy Hansen entered the final round in South Africa just a point ahead of Andreas Bakkerud, and eight in front of brother and team-mate Kevin.

In a tense weekend, Timmy Hansen qualified on pole for the final, with Bakkerud alongside, by now two points behind in the standings. Bakkerud made the best start and led into Turn 1 but he ran wide in the long loose-surface right-hander at Turn 6, and Hansen needed no second invitation to make a move for track position. The pair touched, Bakkerud slid into the wall and when his car bounced back, it rotated Timmy Hansen’s Peugeot.

Niclas Gronholm went on to win with Bakkerud second but Hansen recovered to fourth, finishing level on points and taking the crown on wins countback. HR

48 HARRIS CROWNED BRISCA F1 WORLD CHAMPION

When: September 14

Where: King’s Lynn Raceway

The format of short oval racing means that the World Final, the showpiece event of the campaign, is the be-all and end-off a whole season’s work. Points titles are fine, but getting the name on the big silverware is what matters.

Tom Harris knew that he had to get his work done early on. From the front row, the 2013 World Final winner powered away into the lead but he knew that there would be one man out to get him: rival Frankie Wainman Jr. Wainman tried hard and he lunged for his rival at the opening turn but overdid it. He chucked his car sideways to stop hitting the wall, and was then collected by Paul Hines.

That left Harris clear to race away to an unchallenged victory, and he led home Ryan Harrison and Craig Finnikin. MJ

47 WILLIAMS’S 2019 F1 WOES

When: All season

Where: All over the world

The writing was on the wall before the new Williams FW42 Formula 1 machine had even turned a wheel. Given how limited pre-season F1 testing is, it is vital teams maximise every second.

But it was not until midway through day three of eight that the FW42 finally left the pitlane.

Clearly, something had gone very, very wrong. Not only was the car incredibly late arriving, it was also hideously slow. Rumours began circulating about technical chief Paddy Lowe’s future and sure enough, on the eve of the season, it was revealed he was taking some time away. By June he was officially gone.

A solitary point from a chaotic German Grand Prix was all Williams had to show from 2019. Amid shortages of parts and further struggles, it was no wonder F1 returnee Robert Kubica departed after a lacklustre year. SL

46 BLUNDELL JOINS THE BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

When: April 7

When: Brands Hatch

Anyone who can wrestle a Group C car around Le Mans and conquer the fearsome high-speed ovals in America doesn’t lack anything in bravery or ability. But even so, when Mark Blundell announced that he was joining the BTCC for 2019, there were some raised eyebrows.

He lined up with the Trade Price Cars Racing Audi S3 – his first proper foray into a front-wheel-drive competition – and he joined the UK’s highest profile category.

He walked away from the contest with only two points-paying drives, which were during wet races on the Brands Hatch Indy and Silverstone tracks.

He struggled with the brakes and the technique of handling the weighty (and limited aero) tin-top and was left frustrated by his own lack of pace, particularly as teammate