The closing date for entries to the Rally Norway has been extended by one week, it has been confirmed.

The aim is to offer 'new opportunities' to a number of potential competitors who have asked for more time to get organised so they can sign up for the Norwegian round of the World Rally Championship.

The initial closing date was earlier this week. However, entries will now close on Tuesday 13 January at 15.00 hours [local time].

Stig Rune Kjernsli, clerk of the course for the Rally Norway, noted that there has been a 'steady stream of entries' thus far, including the likes of Sebastien Loeb, Dani Sordo, Jari-Matti Latvala, Mikko Hirvonen and Henning Solberg, as well as several runners in S2000 cars.

"A slightly lower number of entries so far compared to 2007 is as expected. But looking at the entries from a sporting point of view, it is a very comprehensive entry list," he added.

"However, there may be no surprise that we are still expecting more drivers to sign up for Rally Norway 2009 including our own world champion Petter Solberg. I hope that a few days extension will help a number of competitors to get organised."