Scotland to host three BRC rounds 01 | 07 | 2015

SCOTLAND WILL PLAY a major role in next year's all-new MSA British Rally Championship, with three of the seven rounds being held on Scottish stages.

Former British Rally champs include Lanark's five-time winner Jimmy McRae, plus sons Colin and Alister, and most recently David Bogie from Dumfries.

The exciting new-look calendar, will also introduce newly revised vehicle eligibility regulations — including turbocharged four-wheel drive cars — which were announced in January.

In what’s set to be the biggest shake-up for many years, next season’s revitalised BRC will be staged throughout the British Isles and will include a mix of gravel and asphalt surfaces.

The new series will start on March 5/6 on the gravel in mid-Wales, before two events in April, first on the Tarmac in Ireland, before returning to gravel for the Carlisle-based Pirelli Rally.

Related: David Bogie clinches British Rally title

The first of the three Scottish-based events takes place on May 27/28, with a return to the Tarmac of the Borders for the Jim Clark Rally.

The following month, it's into the forests of Dumfries and Galloway for the RSAC Scottish Rally on June 24/25.

And while the penultimate round, the Ulster Rally on August 19/20 sees the competitors return to Tarmac, it's back into the forests for the finale, the Granite City Rally, which takes place around Aberdeen on September 9/10.

"Competitors, teams and events need as much notice as possible to get things in place for next year, so we have moved to publish the calendar as early as we can," Ben Taylor, IMS Managing Director, said.

"I would like to thank everyone that has played a part so far, as the creation of a new and exciting championship takes a huge amount of work. We are nowhere near finished yet and there are still a lot of things to sort out, like TV and media, one-make championships and prize funds."

2016 British Rally Championship dates*

1. March 5/6 Mid Wales Stages (Gravel)

2. April 8/9 Circuit of Ireland (Asphalt)

3. April 29/30 Pirelli Rally (Gravel)

4. May 27/28 Jim Clark Rally (Asphalt)

5. June 24/25 RSAC Scottish Rally (Gravel)

6. August 19/20 Ulster Rally (Asphalt)

7. September 9/10 Granite City Rally (Gravel)

* subject to approval by the MSA

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Jim McGill