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In a notable trend within the world of historic rallying, British drivers Rob Smith and Will Onions have chosen the BMW M3 as their preferred vehicle. This decision sees them transitioning from the classic Ford Escort Mk2 models, as they acquire two M3s from the well-respected Dutch organization, MATS BV, known for its expertise in building Group A specification rally cars.
Both Smith and Onions have their sights set on asphalt rallying events, acknowledging the M3’s strengths on sealed surfaces. They are poised to compete in a series of significant asphalt competitions this season, kicking off with the recent Manx Rally.
A key highlight for them is the upcoming Tour de Corse Historic, scheduled for early October. Having participated in this challenge before, they are eager to take on the demanding roads of Corsica in their M3s. This particular event marks the 25th anniversary of the rally, and its popularity was evident when the 380 entry slots filled in just 18 minutes upon registration opening.
Challenges Faced at the Manx Rally
Photo by: Paul Lawrence
Thanks to MATS’ support, owning and maintaining an M3 is now much simpler, with a wide range of replacement parts readily available. The organization is also currently working on producing new engines for these vehicles.
The rising enthusiasm for the BMW M3 among competitors in European asphalt historic rallying is unmistakable. For instance, at the Killarney Historic Rally in Ireland last November, eight M3s participated, showcasing their popularity.
Smith expressed the advantages of running an M3, stating, “The M3 is a proper Tarmac car, and you can get all you need from MATS. It makes a difference when you are running a car like this, because he has most of the parts available in stock.”
During the Manx Rally, both vehicles displayed promising speed before encountering difficulties. Smith recorded competitive times in the historic category during the initial two special stages but was compelled to retire after a misfire emerged during stage three, likely due to a coil failure. Onions successfully completed the first leg of the rally but was forced to withdraw on the second leg due to gearbox problems, reflecting the steep learning curve that comes with such powerful machines. “There’s just a lot of learning to do,” he remarked.
Source
www.autosport.com