Initial 1996 championship details

First details of the 1996 Mobil 1/Top Gear RACMSA British Rally Championship are now available.

Reproduced below are the contents of the publicity 'flyer' issued on this year's Manx International Rally.

The 1996 Mobil 1/Top Gear RACMSA British Rally Championship is exclusively for drivers, co-drivers and manufacturers with 2 litre, two wheel drive, normally aspirated cars in Groups A and N.

Incentives for amateur drivers in Formula 2 cars.

"Production Cup" open to amateur drivers in 4WD turbocharged Group N cars.

Ladies Cup for all-female crews in F2 cars.

Five rounds:

Vauxhall Rally of Wales (European Co-efficient 2) 22nd - 23rd March Start/Finish: Chester Special Stages: 250 km over fast, flowing forest stages in North and Mid-Wales. Secret route but subjective route notes available. Scrutineering: Thursday 21st March or morning of Friday 22nd March. Event contact: Dafydd Edwards, Tel/fax +44 1248 714165

Pirelli International Rally 27th - 28th April Start/Finish: Carlisle Special Stages: 200 km in Kielder Forest. Secret route but excellent stage maps provided by organisers. Scrutineering: Friday 26th April. Event contact: Andrew Kellitt, Tel/fax +44 1768 867978

Perth Scottish Rally (European Co-efficient 5) 31st May - 2nd June Start/Finish: Perth Special Stages: 240 km, the majority over forestry stages. Four spectator stages on asphalt and mixed sufaces. Limited reconnaisannce with pace notes. Scrutineering: Friday 31st May. Event contact: Jonathan Lord, Tel +44 141 221 3850, Fax: +44 141 221 3805

Ulster International Rally 2nd - 3rd August Start/Finish: Belfast, Northern Ireland. Special Stages: 280 km over closed public roads, all on asphalt. Reconnaissance with pace notes. Scrutineering: Thursday 1st August. Event contact: Robert Harkness, Tel +44 1868 738318, fax: +44 1868 738260

Manx International Rally (European Co-efficient 10) 12th - 14th September Start/Finish: Douglas, Isle of Man Special Stages: 350 km over closed public roads, all on good quality asphalt. Unlimited reconnaissance. Scrutineering: Thursday 12th September Event contact: Richard Bargery, Tel +44 1624 852440, fax +44 1624 852441

Championship Groups and classes:

Group N Class N1: up to and including 1300cc Class N2: over 1300cc up to and including 1600cc Class N3: over 1600cc up to and including 2000cc

Group A Class A5: up to and including 1300cc Class A6: over 1300cc up to and including 1600cc Class A7: over 1600cc up to and including 2000cc

The British Junior Rally Championship in association with Peugeot

The British Junior Rally Championship in association with Peugeot is open to drivers of all Nationalities under 25 years of age who drive Peugeot 306 S16 cars conforming to Group A "Challenge" specification.

Peugeot Masters

The Peugeot Masters is open to drivers of all Nationalities over the age of 25 who drive Peugeot 306 S16 cars conforming to Group A "Challenge" specification.

For details of both the Junior Rally Championship and the Peugeot Masters contact: Keith Baud, Peugeot Sport, PO Box 25, Humber Road, Coventry, United Kingdom, CV3 1BD Tel: +44 1203 884674 Fax: +44 1203 884677

Championship Manager: John Horton, PO Box 200, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B75 7TR Tel: +44 121 378 2828 Fax: +44 121 378 0500 Mobile: +44 860 298022

-- David James mailto:david@tcs01.demon.co.uk http://metro.turnpike.net/D/djames/