The Motor Sports Association has approved a proposal to bring the Time Attack Series under its auspices as the national governing body of UK motor sport – officially recognising this new type of event as an approved form of motor sport.Originating in Japan as a way of proving the relative performance of street-tuned cars, Time Attack is a spectacular form of motor sport in which highly-powered cars on road-legal tyres compete on regular motor sport circuits.Since the sport arrived in the UK five years ago, safety standards have continually improved and with the series growing in popularity among both competitors and a predominantly young audience of enthusiastic fans, the organisers have been working closely with the MSA to bring the sport under the umbrella of the governing body.Time Attack events will now run under an MSA permit and adhere to all the requirements that this entails, including the appointment of MSA licensed officials, a recognised judicial process and fully trained marshalling cover. Competitors in the Pro-Series will require an MSA Race National B licence, while those participating in the grass-roots class, known as the Club Challenge, will be able to compete with a Non-Race National B licence that can be issued on the day.While the freedom of engine specification remains at the core of Time Attack Series, vehicles will have to comply with certain MSA regulations in order to compete, including in the Pro-Series: FIA homologated seat and 5-point harness, mandatory 6-point roll cage and appropriate fire extinguisher. In both classes, drivers must wear MSA-compliant personal protection equipment.The Championship Regulations have already been submitted to the MSA for approval and organisers have now opened registrations for the 2010 season which begins at Oulton Park on 24th April.Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive:“It is very exciting to welcome a new discipline into the family of motor sport. Time Attack is a professional, well-run series and the organisers have been extremely pro-active in terms of bringing the sport in line with the MSA’s requirements. The series is particularly popular among a new group of fans that does not perhaps engage with more traditional forms of motor sport and we look forward to working closely with the organisers as the sport continues to grow and develop.”Andy Barnes, Co Founder and Commercial Director, Time Attack Series:“Today is a proud moment for the aftermarket tuning industry. As Time Attack is the pinnacle competitive environment for the aftermarket, its role within the industry is more important than ever, stimulating tuners, drivers and engineering. It has been vital that we create a challenging series to compete within that also inspires the fans and spectators, as noted in the number of teams and spectators we attract to our events. That the Time Attack Series has now come under the MSA’s regulations in its own right is further evidence of our strong energetic vision to act in the best interests of not only Time Attack but motor sport in general. We are delighted to welcome the MSA to the Time Attack Series.”Glen Horncastle, Co Founder and Operations Director, Time Attack Series:“Since we ran the first Time Attack event at Rockingham in June 2005, the emphasis has always been on ensuring the on-track elements of the series were operated in a safe and professional manner. We have introduced elements of the MSA’s Blue Book into the series’ regulations in such a way that the competitors understand them and fully appreciate the reasoning behind them. It is vital that we recognise that the vast majority of our competitors have not come from a traditional motor sport background. Although the journey has been tough at times, to have gained MSA recognition is very rewarding and a testament to all the hard work everyone has put into the series over the past five years.”