Pembrey Circuit will see its brand-new rallycross layout used this weekend (June 23/24) as the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship heads to South Wales for rounds four and five.

In what is the only double-header on the 2018 calendar, the first of two visits to British Automobile Racing Club-run venue is likely to set pulses races for drivers and spectators alike.

Since the series visited late last year, significant work and investment has gone into improving the rallycross section of the venue over the winter, headed up by Circuit Manager Phil Davies.

With trackside crowds continuing to grow, careful planning has been taken to create a new track layout that will produce more of an arena atmosphere for fans spectating on the bankings – allowing them to see a majority of the action unfold in front of the.

Firstly the start line, which was previously situated on the main pit straight, has been moved to just before the pedestrian crossing. From there cars will then head through Senna’s before heading into a new left-handed turn titled Toyo’s, immediately tacking Brooklands Haiprin afterwards.

Up next for competitors will be Speedway Straight, which leads into the transition from tarmac to loose, tackling the challenging Carter’s Hairpin at the same time.

Using all of their skills and experience, drivers will thread their way through the next sequence of corners, some taking the joker section, before rejoining the tarmac at Ollie’s and on to start a new lap or take the chequered flag.

The same set of corners will be used when the circuit is run in the reverse direction as well; competitors turning right instead of left off the start.

With events at Silverstone, Lydden Hill and Croft serving up three different winners, the battle for this year’s British Rallycross title is being fiercely fought over.

Arriving at Pembrey, Albatec Racing’s Mark Higgins sits atop of the championship standings having matched front-running consistency alongside his breakthrough win at Lydden. Holding a slender four-point leader, the Peugeot driver will be keen to score big and stretch his lead come the end of play on Sunday.

Higgins’ nearest challenger to the summit is five-time champion Julian Godfrey, however it is yet to be determined whether he will compete and if he does, how competitive he actually will be. Godfrey suffered a major crash at Croft which effectively wrote off the Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage he was driving. With frantic work taking place to ready the machine, Godfrey could be one to watch if he lines up.

Ollie O’Donovan was a winner last time out at Croft and is always in the mix whilst Steve Hill and Mad Mark have both shown glimpses of promise along the way too. Throw into the mix the likes of Kevin Proctor and Andy Scott and you begin to see why it the depth of talent is so deep in the series.

In addition to the Supercar action there will be racing from the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship, MSA Supernational Championship (inc. Super 1600), Swift Sport Championship, BMW Mini Championship and the RX150 Championship.

Tickets will be available to purchase on the gate on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, priced at £15 per day or £36 for the full weekend (which includes camping). Children 15 and under go free when accompanied by an adult whilst gates open at 08:00 both days.