New Challenge for 2008

2008 Silverstone Tyres BRC Challenge

The 2008 season sees a continuation of the British Rally Championship's support series format, formerly referred to as the "Stars", the National B series will be called the Silverstone Tyres BRC Challenge.

The now familiar concept is aimed at national licensed competitors who want to experience selected classic British Rally Championship events and their special stages at National B level. The 2008 Silverstone Tyres BRC Challenge offers high profile events for those on a tight budget in front wheel drive cars.

The major innovations in 2008 include expanding the series to four categories and making it a class based Championship. This will allow the dominant driver in each class take maximum points in the Championship, opening up the series to more competition. There will also be an additional event filling the summer gap in Wales, giving the series a more complete coverage of the British Isles, while 6 scoring opportunities from eight events will mean drivers can pick and choose rallies. A balance of four gravel and four asphalt events from April to November gives a good spread of events across the season, although the Isle of Man remains a double header in mid July.

The two additional front wheel drive classes in the Silverstone Tyres BRC Challenge will take the maximum capacity up to two litres, with a class for 1600cc A6 cars (RC3) and 1800cc N3 cars (RC4). RC1 and RC2 are both 1400cc classes similar to those being run currently. For the first time the champion could come from any one of the categories based on their class performance, meaning the smaller capacity cars are not disadvantaged.

Silverstone Tyres will continue to provide the control tyre which has been a great success in helping keep costs and performance on a level footing. The on event Tyre and technical support service also continues for both Silverstone gravel and asphalt tyres.

The Sky Sports coverage of the championship is extended to 2008 with feature programmes in the BRC Rallyzone programme, broadcast to around 8.5 million homes in the UK and millions more worldwide.

Cash prizes are on offer again spread across all four classes and the eventual Champion will get a prize drive in 2008 on Wales Rally GB. Silverstone Tyres also plan incentive schemes throughout the year, further adding to the attraction of the series. Finally part of the draw has been the camaraderie fostered by the teams in the service area, which will continue to be a "village" atmosphere alongside the main BRC paddock.

Key points

*  Class based rally championship taking in some classic BRC rallies

*  20k GBP worth of prize money and awards

*  Wales Rally GB prize drive for the winner

*  8 qualifying rounds, with best 6 scores to count

*  Front wheel drive cars only

*  Control Silverstone tyres

*  TV coverage on Sky Sports and other outlets

*  Own dedicated BRC Challenge co-ordinator

*  Own dedicated BRC Challenge service area

*  All national B status events

*  4 gravel, 4 asphalt rallies. Minimum 50 miles gravel and 80 miles asphalt

*  Run ahead of International cars on BRC "forest" and other selected events

*  Cars do not need to be homologated

*  Joint prize giving with the British Rally Championship

*  Junior Award for under 20's

*  Best value GBP per stage mile rallying in the UK

Open to front wheel drive cars complying with MSA technical regulations in classes:

*  RC1 -- up to 1400 cc cars, adhering to Group N1 rules

*  RC2 -- up to 1400 cc cars, adhering to Group A5 and B9 rules

*  RC3 -- 1400cc to1600 cc cars, adhering to Group A6 rules

*  RC4 -- 1601cc to 1800cc cars, adhering to N3 rules

2008 Calendar of events (dates and details to be confirmed)

19th April -- Pirelli BRC Challenge Rally

24th May -- Jim Clark BRC Challenge Rally

21st/22nd Jun -- Midlands BRC Challenge Rally

18th July -- Isle of Man BRC Challenge Rally 1

19th July -- Isle of Man BRC Challenge Rally 2

16th August -- Neath Valley Forest Stages Rally

27th September -- Trackrod BRC Challenge Rally

11th November - Tempest BRC Challenge Rally

-credit: rallybrc.co.uk