AFTER securing their fifth straight Class and Category 1 wins in the 2017 MSA British Historic Rally Championship in the recent Harry Flatters Rally, Phil Harris and Richard Suter clinched this season’s Category 1 title, with three of the nine rounds of the Championship still to go.
Category 1 is for cars built pre-1968 and the Harris & Co backed Mini was built in 1963. Phil has owned the Mini since 1976.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to win the Championship,” said Phil. “We’ve been the runner up for the last two seasons, so to clinch the top spot is so satisfying, especially in the smallest, least powerful car in the field. Richard has been amazing this year – he’s really helped to push my pace on.
“We’ve also now won our Class in the Championship for three years on the trot!
“The Vintage Car Radiator Company restored the Mini for me three years ago when it hit its 50th birthday. They’ve serviced the Mini for me on every event and given me driver coaching and training on the pace notes. They are the sponsors of Category 1 in the Championship so it is great to have won the title for them.
“They’ve built me a brilliant car – it’s done 16 rough, tough rallies since 2014, and it’s recorded 14 class wins, one second place and only one non-finish. That is an amazing feat of reliability and everyone is amazed that we can get such a tiny, 54 year old car round with no problems.
“We’ve also had fantastic support from our sponsors, Industry Insights, Fix Auto and Prasco though out the season and are delighted to deliver the title for them too.”
Harris & Co offer tax and accounting advice to small and medium sized businesses and also have a specialist motorsport division that advises a number of leading drivers, teams and suppliers to the motorsport industry
For further information contact Phil Harris on 01604 660661 or email
Photo courtesy of Black Mountains Media