Entries for the 37th running of the Somerset Stages Rally are now open with the publication of the event regulations this week. The 18th April gravel event will return to its traditional Minehead base this year as it forms the third round of the REIS-RAVENOL BTRDA Rally Series and is also the opening round of the inaugural BTRDA Rally Challenge which caters for competitors who prefer a mixed surface championship.

The popular South West event organised by Burnham-on-Sea Motor Club and Minehead Motor Club also forms part of the MSA English Rally Championship, ASWMC Loose Surface Rally Championship and returning for the second year, the Land Rover Defender Challenge by Bowler Motor Sport and the FMP Challenge.

Competitors can expect 44 competitive stage miles around the forests of West Somerset contained in 12 special stages. The now traditional blast up the Porlock Toll road will provide an exciting challenge for competitors on the event before heading into the Forestry Commission stages.

In an attempt to bring “rallying to the people of Minehead”, the event will host an event display on the Friday night prior to the rally where the public can mix with drivers and cars before the pressure of the days motorsport begins on Saturday morning.

The first crews will leave the start outside Rally HQ, The Beach Head Hotel at 8.00am on Saturday 18th April and will return to The Station Car Park , Warren Road Upper Car Park and The Esplanade Minehead service areas throughout the day. The first competitors will return to the finish ramp at around 4.00pm later that day.

More information, event regulations and online entries are available at http://www.somersetstagesrally.com

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