Regulations are now available for the Pirelli International Rally, the opening round of the 2004 Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship which will see Gateshead's futuristic waterfront once the setting for the start of the UK's major rally series, the event headquarters based in the famous Gateshead International Stadium, while the Start and Finish will be located at the award winning Baltic Square , set against the backdrop of the award winning Gateshead Millennium Bridge .

Publication of the regulations has been delayed while the organisers wrestled with the problem of a programme of extensive harvesting in the intended area of the stages, however, Deputy Clerk of the Course, Alan Blake, has managed to come up with his usual compact route featuring ten stages in "Classic Kielder Country", the giant forest complex once again lending itself to long, demanding stages while the road mileage has been reduced dramatically with the introduction of an overnight Parc Ferme in Hexham where the usual Auction Mart venue will host centralised servicing.

The Pirelli International Rally runs over the weekend of 23 rd / 24 th . April and offers some 110 miles of stages for a £850 entry fee, this includes auxiliary and service plates. Also announced are regulations for the Pirelli National Rally, a Clubmans National B event offering some 60 stage miles and the newly announced Pirelli Historic Challenge which will run ahead of the main event over both days and feature some 60 stage miles for a £399 Entry fee.