In Britain, Rallycross is in the ascendancy and the MSA British Championship, organised by the British Rallycross Drivers Association (BRDA), visits high profile race circuits such as Croft, Lydden Hill and Pembrey as well as Mondello Park in the Irish Republic. The traditional Rallycross venues such as Lydden also feature in the eight-round championship which runs from March to October.

The series of short sharp races which average three-minutes in length, and which build through the day to the climactic finals where championship points are awarded, is perfect for the 21st century audience. The top race of the day known as the 'Superfinal' see's the top eight or ten fastest cars from the finals battle it out in an awesome display of skill, bravery and power collecting points on the way toward the MSA title of GB1.

There are four main classes in the BRDA championship:

• Supercars
• Super Modified
• Stock Hatch
• Jumior Rallycross

For the last few years the British Trial Rally Drivers Association (BTRDA) Clubmans Championship has enjoyed a place on the support programme for the MSA British championship. The BTRDA  Clubmans Rallycross Championship was established in 1977 and continues to be successful, providing both newcomers and 'budget' racers with a strong series of events at the best UK venues.

There is also a seperate Rallycross Open Championship (ROC). The 2008 Rallycross Open Championship, which takes place over seven rounds, concluding with the standalone 2008 Rallycross Superprix at Croft Circuit.

There are six categories within the Rallycross Open Championship, which are as follows:

• Division 1/1S

• Division 1A

• Rear Wheel Drive Cup

• Super National (with an 800kg weight limit, including driver)

• Procar 2000

• Junior Rallycross

Alongside the 2008 Rallycross Open Championship, the Minicross Drivers Association (MDA)will run a ten round Championship for the following categories:

• Procar 1600 (Formerly known as Stock Hatch)

• Minicross

• Revivals

Cars and Motorsport forum members often attend events at Blyton Airfileld and Croft Circuit.

Details of other venues can be found on our Links page.

Rallycross provides both a day-long (sometimes two days!) competition for the enthusiast and competitor displaying around sixty races per day as well as fast moving entertainment and media-friendly ‘soundbite’ size chunks of action in a colourful arena.

You could buy a 'used' Supercar for around £35'000 or self build one from scratch for around the same money using 'bottom-notch' components. To win in one of these you should be asking your bank manager for around £250'000 (before you turn a wheel) or you could hire a top spec one for around £15'000 per meeting. (If you're lucky enough to make the Superfinal your average cost to race is around £1000 per lap!)

The Supercar 'A' final is always one to watch with the top eight fastest from the previous three heats throwing 5000+BHP in to the first corner from a standing start - Awesome!!

Again a broad mix of manufactured cars from Audi TT, Lotus Exige, Vauxhall Corsa and Renault Clio V6, usually very close racing can be expected with qualifying times not that far away from the Supercar category.

You can self build a competitive modified car to regulation standards for around £20'000 however it's not gone un-noticed that some cars built over the years have been prepared for around £80'000 to £90'000

It's not uncommon to see these cars qualifying for the Superfinal!

Expect to see Peugeot 106Gti, 106 Xsi, 205 Gti, Citroen Saxo VTR/VTS/C2, VW Lupo and Ford Fiesta's.

Division 1: Touring cars homologated in Group A or in Supertouring and conforming to Appendix J - Group A (Articles 251 to 255); the modifications listed in Appendix J (Articles 279.2 and 279.3) are permitted. Cars must be rigidly closed nonconvertible models. An exception will be made regarding air flow, which will be allowed to exit at any point behind the rear wheels of the car and also the location of the exhaust, as cars will be permitted to race if the pipe exits from the side. Non FIA Dashboards will be allowed and cars will have the option to run with or without the catalytic converter.

Division 1S: - Cars must be 4WD (4wd cars only that don’t comply with Division 1 homologation regulations), that are rigidly closed, non-convertible models of un-limited engine capacity.