Pirelli expand rallying support; motorsport.

Byline: BRUCE BOOTH

ANCRO, the organisers of the MSA Gravel Rally Championship, have struck a deal with Pirelli Tyres to take over the sponsorship of this year's series.

Now be known as the Pirelli MSA National Gravel Rally Championship, the tyre maker's involvement and support of the championship will fit in nicely with the company's existing support of other UK championships.

Although this year's programme has not been finalised, it is envisaged that last year's sevenround format will once again form the basis for the series.

Pirelli's motorsport and events manager, Martin Pallot, said: "Pirelli are heavily involved with rallying within the UK and already we are proud to hold control tyre supply status to the British Rally Championship.

"Now we will be title sponsor of the 2008 MSA Gravel Rally Championship where we will introduce a control tyre to the Group N category.

"In line with the developments we have been working on in 2007 we also hope to introduce our eco-tyre as the control tyre to all categories in 2009."

ANCRO chairman, John Trevethick, said he was looking forward to working with Pirelli.

"This is the dawn of a new era for ANCRO and the MSA Gravel Rally Championship.

"We are delighted to be working with such a powerful brand that is committed to developing partnerships within rallying.

"We see the introduction of the control tyre as a stepping stone for the future, mindful that we need to move forward providing sustainability, value and quality."

CAST your eyes on Nissan's stunning GT500 spec GT-R racing car, above, which will compete in this year's SUPER GT race series.

Launched at last weekend's Tokyo Auto Salon with NAPAC - Japan's largest annual custom car show - it features the new works livery which will be featured across Nissan motorsports activities this season

The SUPER GT Championship is one of the world's most demanding GT race series, and the new car has been built on the same multiperformance super car concept as the Nissan GT-R road car.

Further details of the GT500 Nissan GT-R, including full specifications, will be announced on January 31, along with all the marque's motorsport activities for the coming season.