Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup

After a successful pilot season, the BARC/Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup has been confirmed as a full-time core championship in the Dunlop Great and British Festivals package for 2008.

At the same time, BARC and Dunlop have announced changes to the class structure and regulations to ensure continued close racing and allow a variety of cars to be competitive in each class.

A maximum power to weight ratio of 210bhp per tonne has been introduced to the top class, and BTCC style 'success ballast' will be used in each class.

"In 2007, overall victories went to the Astra VXR, BMW 3-series, Megane R26 and Nissan 350Z. Class wins were shared between MG ZRs, Renault Clio, Fiat Punto, SEAT Leon, Mini Cooper and Alfa Romeo 147. We want to encourage this diverse mix of cars and feel that adopting BTCC style success ballast is the proven way to achieve this" stated Dunlop's James Bailey.

A number of new cars have been added to the eligible car list. These include the Porsche Cayman, BMW 335i and Mazda 3MPS in class A, the new Mini Cooper S R56, Peugeot 207Gti and Honda Civic Type R in Class B and the latest Fiat 500, Mini Cooper and Renault Twingo GT in Class C.

Being part of the Dunlop Great and British package will mean the championship will benefit from full BTCC-standard Dunlop technical support, professionally promoted events and television coverage at six of the eight double header rounds.

AmD Essex will be running a Milltek-sponsored SEAT Leon Cupra 2.0T FSI for the 2008 season.