Newly crowned Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Enrique Garcia Ojeda has given the 2008 provisional IRC calendar his seal of approval.

The schedule, which was released earlier this month, contains 10 rallies, with new events in Spain and Portugal joining the action.

Ojeda reckons it is a good mix and is especially pleased to see his home country join the fold.

“I think that the new calendar is very good, and it has followed all the requests from the manufacturers and drivers,” he stated.

“We do not have too many events, and the rallies are not too expensive: this should encourage more people to become involved.

“Of course, it is fantastic to have a rally in Spain as well as part of the series! I have to say that the level of competition this year has been very good, but next year I expect it to be even better!”

Ojeda and the other IRC winners meanwhile will be crowned at a gala prize-giving evening on Wednesday December 5 at the prestigious TF1 Headquarters in Paris.

The top three drivers, teams and co-drivers will all be presented with their awards, in front of the world's sporting media and some special guests. This unique event marks a first for the IRC, but the plan is to continue it in the years to come.

“It should be a fantastic evening, which will recognise all the hard work put in by our teams all year,” commented Jean-Pierre Nicolas, the IRC's motorsport development manager. “We are all looking forward to a convivial night in which the true stars will be everyone who has helped to make 2007 such a fantastic debut season for the IRC.”