More of the older cars in historic rallying are being encouraged back onto the special stages next year in a new six-event series run by the HRCR and aimed solely at pre '68 cars. The HRCR Historic Stage Rally Challenge is being created to encourage owners of Category 1 (registered before 31.12.67) historic cars to compete in a lower cost, less damaging series of events. The new series has been designed as a complement to the current Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship and the older cars will continue to be a key part of the BHRC.The new series will be managed by the same team as the BHRC and is set to start on the Wyedean Stages in February. Other events at Millbrook and Epynt are likely, with the aim of having four asphalt and two gravel rallies in the schedule. Discussions are in hand with the organisers of the Neath Valley Stages in the forests of South Wales about being the second gravel event."We're really pleased to see six Category 1 cars in the current top ten of the BHRC," says BHRC co-ordinator Simon Marks. "But many of the older cars have lapsed into disuse and we hope that this will bring them back out."On the Wyedean, the historics will run between the 1400cc cars and the main field and will compete over a shortened route covering around 30 stage miles to avoid double usage of stages. "We're aiming to make this series for events that can be done in one day to keep costs down, and the forest events will have reduced mileage," says Paul Loveridge of the HRCR.The usual Category 1 classes will be run and special awards will be offered for the pre '60 cars.