The 2008 Motoscope Northern Historic Rally Championship (NHRC) gets underway this Sunday (10 February) with round one, the North Yorkshire-based Riponian Stages Rally.

So far 20 competitors have registered for the NHRC, which is affiliated to the HRCR (Historic Rally Car Register), and four crews will be in action in this weekend’s opening round.

Darren Moon and John McNichol head the NHRC entries seeded at number 14 in their Mk2 Ford Escort in class D5. Hot on their tail is Pickering crew Steve Magson and Geoff Atkinson in their Opel Ascona at number 15 and who will also be pushing them for the class honours in D5.

Carlisle driver Paul Drinkall and Orpington co-driver Roy Brown start at number 33 in their Porsche 911 and will be the only contenders in class C4.

Behind them at number 34 is York driver Tom Hewick and co-driver Alex Lund in their Mk2 Escort, who will also be pushing for victory in class D5.

Mike Collins, championship co-ordinator of the NHRC, said: “To date we have more registrations than we did at this time last year, we have had a lot of interest and are confident of a lot more entries from the Robin Hood Forest Stages onwards.

“The Riponian will be a good event to start the season with and we’re looking forward to getting the championship started.”

Meanwhile, Richard Pocklington, managing director of series sponsor Motoscope, will also be in action in the 44-mile Thirsk-based forest gravel event with co-driver Dan Loveday, who also works for Motoscope, in their Mk2 Ford Escort.

The NHRC has been running for two years and landed its first major title sponsor in the form of Northallerton-based rally equipment and car preparation company Motoscope this year.

Mr Pocklington said: “The Riponian is a good local rally and we thought we would come out and support the NHRC on the first round.”

The 2008 Motoscope NHRC consists of eight rounds across a mix of asphalt and gravel in the north of England and Scottish Borders with the best five scores to count.

It is open to all cars that comply with the MSA’s requirements for historic rally cars in classes H1, H2 and H3 and only wheels and tyres used in that period are allowed.

In addition to title sponsor Motoscope; Tyres South Shore will also be supporting the series by providing tyres to championship winners on events as well as being available to supply tyres.

Website at: www.hrcrnorthernchampionship.co.uk