diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 473beb1..5bd9f770 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 VERSION = 3
-PATCHLEVEL = 8
+PATCHLEVEL = 9
 SUBLEVEL = 0
-EXTRAVERSION =
+EXTRAVERSION = -rc1
 NAME = Unicycling Gorilla
 
 # *DOCUMENTATION*