Home Page > News & Rally Reports > 2008 Silverstone Tyres BRC Challenge

2008 Silverstone Tyres BRC Challenge

Posted on Thursday, 01 November 2007 12:17PM by Simon Moss

2008 Silverstone Tyres BRC Challenge

For immediate release 31/10/2007

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 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 £ 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)
§         19^th April – Pirelli BRC Challenge Rally
§         24^th May – Jim Clark BRC Challenge Rally
§         21^st/22^nd Jun – Midlands BRC Challenge Rally
§         18^th July – Isle of Man BRC Challenge Rally 1
§         19^th July – Isle of Man BRC Challenge Rally 2
§         16^th August – Neath Valley Forest Stages Rally
§         27^th September – Trackrod BRC Challenge Rally
§         11^th November - Tempest BRC Challenge Rally

For further details and a set of regulations e-mail your details to:
BRC Challenge Co-ordinator Caroline Reid carolinereid@rallybrc.co.uk, Or contact the BRC Office Tel: 01785 887988, 07767 377600

Full detailed regulations to be published on BRC website mid November. Until further notice www.rallybrcstars.co.uk will continue to host Stars and Challenge information.

BRC contact: Mark Taylor M: +44 7767 377600T: +44 1785 887988 E: marktaylor@rallybrc.co.uk
Press contact: Simon Moss M: +44 7968 585534 T: +44 1785 887988 E: simonmoss@rallybrc.co.uk

Further information on the Silverstone Tyres Stars 1400 Rally Championship can be found at www.rallybrcstars.co.uk