The 2008 Nippon Challenge currently has four televised races. These will be shown on MotorsTV in a half hour repeated program and then highlights will be shown in "Race and Rally UK" on Channel 5. Further sponsorship is currently being negotiated for the remaining races and discussions are already taking place to secure full TV coverage for 2009.

Karen has previously appeared on MotorsTV in coverage of a Silverstone round of the 2007 PowerNights event. Here's hoping that more media coverage can help drum up some sponsorship funds!

Richard got busy with the angle-grinder this weekend and cut out the webbing from the Supercharger's new engine lid and from the boot. The engine lid is now lighter than the original one and doesn't have that air-scoop that proved impractical. It still needs holes to be drilled for the bonnet pins to be fitted. The boot lid requires further work to plug some holes and to have a high-level rear spoiler fitted.

Plenty of other work is still required to get the car to a state where it can be used for a shakedown and meet and greet with other Nippon Challenge competitors at Silverstone on Sunday 16th March. A closer deadline is giving more impetus to get things done!

Karen and Richard visited the Autosport International Show at the NEC. They had a good look around and had the chance to meet up with old friends from the MR2 racing fraternity.

A lot of time was spent with Steve Vince on the Red Dragon Track and Race Club stand, helping promote the MR2 Racing and the Nippon Challenge. A lot of interest was shown in both formulas and Steve was approached by several new drivers for each.

It seems likely that Karen's sponsorship by Rogue Motorsport will continue in 2008, which is wonderful being associated with the premier MR2 tuning and motorsport preparation business in the UK!

Karen is pictured posing next to a highly modified RX7 which is due to race in the Nippon Challenge.

The initial draft of the Nippon Challenge regulations have been published on the website: www.nipponchallenge.co.uk

Even though the Supercharger will be racing in the Modified class, it will not be allowed GRP front wings which is a real shame as steel originals can be costly to buy. We were hoping to use GRP replacements in the event of damage. There is some good news though, with confirmation that the headlights are not a requirement for racing. Sidelights are sufficient. Thus we won't be replacing the pop-up headlamps on the car. The covers will be fitted in a permanent down position. This will save something in the region of 7kg in weight and a great deal of time and effort.

Some of the other cars already prepared for other types of competition may now have to be classified within the Invitation class of the Challenge, due to various modifications more extreme than those allowed in the Modified class currently. Hopefully this won't put them off competing and putting on a dramatic show for the crowds!

Happy New Year to everyone. Let's hope this is a great new year for MR2 racing and for the Nippon Challenge.

Karen received a race car related gift for Christmas. Our friend David presented her with a special money box especially for collecting funds for the MR2 Supercharger.


As you can see, David's modified the money box to suit its purpose. Obviously, this isn't going to generate quite enough money to help greatly. So if there are any potential sponsors out there, don't be afraid to contact Karen via the link on the right-hand side of the page to see how we can help promote your business!