THIS year's Jim Clark Rally could be the 'best yet' after organisers announced a new format.

The 2024 edition of the Borders event will take place in May.

In outline plans, organisers confirmed that both the Jim Clark and Reivers rallies would be longer, while the total number of cars that can enter would also be boosted.

The famous Langton water splash – a highlight for both fans and drivers alike throughout the event's history – will return.

The iconic location has not been used competitively for a decade at the Duns-based spectacle.

“The Jim Clark Rally organising team has always tried to give both competitors and rally fans a fresh, new and exciting offering year-on-year and 2024 is no exception,” said Dan Wright, chairman of the organisers, the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club.

“The entire team has been working hard behind the scenes to come up with a progressive offering for this year and part of that mindset has always been to increase the stage mileage of both events in a nod to the more arduous rallies of the past. The Jim Clark Rally is up from 67 to 88 miles and Reivers from 43 to 55 miles, which means we can introduce a whole new format for the weekend.

“Of course, the return of Langton is very close to our hearts and is a symbol of the rally which all the family can enjoy. Other changes to the organisation have meant we can increase the number of cars that can enter to 130 per event, and that means we have one of the most attractive propositions for all in many years.

“We a very excited to welcome everyone to the Scottish Borders in May, we predict it could be the best edition yet.”

After the now traditional ceremonial start in Duns Square, Langton will kick off the rally on Friday, May 24.

Crews will then head for a usual moorland blast across the Abbey St Bathans test, before another new addition to the opening leg, Blackadder.

After service back in Duns, the stages will be repeated before the overnight halt.

The new look to Friday sees a switch from the usual two-stages to a "dazzling six-test spectacular" and more than 35 stage miles, some under the cover of darkness to test the best drivers in the business.

Saturday starts with another run through Langton before the traditional stretch of Edrom, Ayton and Fogo to make up the eight stages on offer, taking the rally to more than 88 stage miles.

The Probite British Rally Championship returns for the Friday and Saturday legs, as do the Protyre National Asphalt Rally Championship, Burnside Piling Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship, AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Rally Championship, SG Petch ANECCC Championship, and the Armed Forces series.

The Reivers Rally returns on Sunday, May 26. The Scottish Rally Championship contenders will tackle a significantly re-worked Westruther, Scott's View, Macks Mill and Eccles, bolstered by an increase of stage mileage from 2023 to more than 55 during the day.

More information on the rally will be released in due course, according to the organisers.

Steeped in history, the Jim Clark Rally first ran in 1970 and has remained one of the most prestigious stage rallies in the country.

The event is named after Borderer Jim Clark OBE who was a two-time Formula One champion, a winner of the Indianapolis 500 and a host of saloon and touring car races.