Sporting Scene

UK series to adopt points system used in FIA World Championship

The British Rallycross Championship will feature a revised event format amid a host of changes ahead of the 2016 season.

The championship will move from the traditional three heats and finals race schedule to the heats, semi-finals and finals format adopted by the European and World Rallycross Championships.

The British RX series will be overseen by Tim Whittington, who will act as championship manager alongside his role as championship coordinator in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

“There is a group of knowledgeable volunteers in the championship, it’s important to harness their enthusiasm, together with the passion of competitors, to improve the way events are presented and develop the series,” said Whittington.

“The FIA World Rallycross Championship has lifted the profile of rallycross in general. The MSA British Championship needs to capitalise on that.

“Changes in format will make best use of track time and offer drivers and fans more track action. Fundamentally it has all the components of a very good championship, it’s just a question of putting it together properly.”

Timed practice for the Supercar category has been scrapped and with it the bonus points for setting the fastest time. The bonus points for setting the fastest heat time will remain.

Five-time British RX champion Julian Godfrey has welcomed the move to a World Rx-style format.

“Having all three heats count is certainly a good thing. It means you really have to think about the events, and it helps keep contact down to a minimum because the only way to qualify well is to do well in each heat,” said the Ford Fiesta driver. “This format has worked very well in the world championship so it should hopefully work in the British too.”