Eight new stamps and a miniature sheet from Jersey Post depict famous moments in World Rally Championship and Jersey Rally history. Featuring dynamic illustrations by Keith Burns, this sister issue to 2021’s The Birth of Formula One celebrates 50 years of the World Rally Championship and 40 years of the Jersey Rally. The stamps will be issued by Jersey Post on 6 October 2023.

The World Rally Championship (WRC), formed in 1973, is the highest level of global competition in the motorsport of rallying. It has a massive global following, not least amongst the thriving motorsport community in Jersey. There are separate championships for drivers, co-drivers, manufacturers and teams. The series currently consists of 13 three-to-four-day rally events driven on surfaces ranging from gravel and tarmac to snow and ice.

The Jersey Rally:
From 1935, local rally driving garnered sporadic interest. It wasn’t until the inception of the official Jersey Rally in 1983 that it gained consistent structure, run on closed roads around the Island. The inaugural event in October 1983 featured 32 entries, including 11 from the mainland, and spanned 35 competitive miles. Rallying has since flourished in Jersey, becoming a pivotal fixture on the Island’s calendar. Now a two-day affair with 80+ cars, the annual October event draws crowds to various Island routes, attracting top drivers from across Britain and beyond to challenge Jersey’s best.

Each one of the eight stamps features a key car competing in the World Rally Championship over the past fifty years. The artwork includes models such as the Alpine A110, which won Alpine the first manufacturer World Rally Championship in 1973; the Lancia Stratos HF, which was the first purpose-built rally car from the Italian marque; and the Audi Quattro A2 Rallye, which helped pioneer all-wheel-drive within the sport.

The miniature sheet from the issue depicts the distinctive orange Ford Escort Mk. 2 belonging to Dave Carrel, who in 1984 was the first Jerseyman to win the Jersey Rally, continuing with wins in ’85 ’86 ’87 and 1988.

This commemorative issue, entitled ‘50 Years of the World Rally Championship / The Jersey Rally at 40, 1983 – 2023’ will be available to buy from all branches of Jersey Post from 6 October 2023.

Philatelic stamp products such as first-day covers and presentation packs will be available from the Jersey post offices at Broad Street, St Helier and Rue Des Pres, St Saviour and can be ordered now at www.jerseystamps.com or by telephoning the Jersey Philatelic Bureau on 00 44 (0)1534 616717.

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Technical details: Issue illustrated by Keith Burns. Stamps printed in four colour process lithography plus spot metallic litho silver and silver hot foil by Cartor Security Printing, France. Stamp size: 28mm deep x 45mm wide. Miniature Sheet size: 95mm x 150mm incorporating 42mm x 70mm block perforated stamp. Souvenir Sheetlet size: 90mm x 195mm. Stamp products © Jersey Post Ltd 2023. Issue date: 6 October 2023. CARS FEATURED ON THE STAMPS: 60p Alpine A110, 98pB Lancia Stratos HF, 98pA Ford Escort RS1800, £1.65 Audi Quattro A2 Rallye, £1.85 Lancia Delta HF Integrale, £2.55 Ford Focus RS WRC, £3.25 Subaru Impreza WRC, £4.20 Toyota Yaris WRC, £4 Miniature Sheet: Ford Escort Mk.2, Group 4, 2.0 Litre BDG