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  1. #1
    Senior Member PLuto's Avatar
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    2015 News and Results

    ERC revamped for 2015

    The FIA European Rally Championship will undergo several changes for the 2015 season designed to reduce costs for competitors and strengthen the series.

    From 2015, the ERC will be contested over a maximum of 10 events with drivers, co-drivers and teams being required to register with the FIA, as is the case with the WRC support championships, to be eligible for European championship points.

    In other changes proposed by ERC promoter Eurosport Events Ltd and approved by the FIA Rally Commission at a meeting in Paris on 28 May, it was agreed that there would be modifications to the ERC structure to closely mirror the format used in the WRC.

    The overall ERC title will be earmarked for drivers, co-drivers and teams using R5, Regional Rally Cars and Super 2000 cars. A maximum of eight scores will be taken into account, four from the first half of the season and four from the second half.

    The new ERC2 category will be for traditional Group N and R4 cars with prolonged FIA homologation for three years, while ERC3 will cater for two-wheel-drive machinery conforming to FIA Regional Rally Regulations.

    ERC Junior, introduced to great acclaim for the 2014 season, will continue albeit known as Junior ERC for consistency purposes but with drivers counting their best four scores from six nominated events rather than the current seven. As is currently the case, Junior ERC drivers will be restricted in age and must use R2-specification cars on MICHELIN tyres. Junior ERC drivers will enrol in a training programme and chase a prize drive in an R5 car on ERC events, full details of which will be announced in the coming months.

    There will be awards for drivers, co-drivers and teams in ERC2 and ERC3, with ERC2 drivers counting four scores in each half of the season. ERC3 competitors can score points on six occasions (three in each half of the season). Junior ERC drivers, co-drivers and teams will be eligible for ERC3 points. However, there will only be a drivers’ classification in Junior ERC.

    In addition, the total stage length for each round will be reduced to 220 kilometres, unless agreed otherwise by Eurosport Events Ltd, while tyre quantities will be further restricted following consultation with the tyre manufacturers. The championship registration fee payable to the FIA has yet to be set but it will be kept to a reasonable level.

    A proposal document detailing all the changes will be presented to the FIA Rally Commission for final approval when it meets at the end of August.

    Jean-Bapitste Ley, the ERC Co-ordinator, said: “Adapting the ERC to the current market conditions but at the same time maintaining the championship’s high standards is the priority of Eurosport Events Ltd. From engaging all ERC stakeholders through regular meetings, the clear message we have received is to consolidate the number of rounds and make the ERC more affordable for those taking part.

    “The changes and cost-cutting measures proposed to the last FIA Rally Commission should be welcomed by drivers and teams, while Eurosport Events Ltd will maintain its promotional efforts in the ERC. Eurosport Events Ltd will also try to introduce prize money for independent teams to encourage a high number of entrants, including R5 customers. With four different R5 cars on the market next year, we expect serious competition ahead in the ERC as a stepping-stone to the WRC.”

    ERC changes in short
    *Maximum 10-round calendar from 2015
    *New format to align ERC closer to WRC
    *Drivers, co-drivers and teams register with FIA to be eligible for points
    *Cost-cutting measures include limiting tyre quantities and total stage lengths
    *Headlining ERC category for R5, RRC and S2000 cars
    *ERC drivers, co-drivers and teams count eight best scores (four from each half of the season)
    *ERC2 for Group N and R4 cars. Drivers, co-drivers and teams also count eight best scores (four from each half of the season)
    *ERC3 for all 2WD cars with drivers, co-drivers and teams scoring on six events (three from each half of the season)
    *ERC Junior renamed Junior ERC. Drivers count four best scores from six nominated events

  2. #2
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    10 rounds is good.

    Hope they don't go too far with this though and end up bland-ifying the ERC.

  3. #3
    Senior Member makinen_fan's Avatar
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    I dont like this one
    *New format to align ERC closer to WRC

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    Senior Member PLuto's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by makinen_fan View Post
    I dont like this one
    *New format to align ERC closer to WRC
    I completely agree with you. I will prefer to have ERC closer to the national championships than WRC, but FIA has different opinion...

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    Er, does that mean a 'shoot out'? Please no.

    Is there a better sound than that of Porsche engined Flat-6 ???

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    Senior Member Mirek's Avatar
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    If I understand right this aligning is just a case of the subcategory naming which for me is quite irrelevant. Otherwise all the changes look reasonable. I only don't like the mandatory registration and the maximum 220 km limit which is for me too low. But the pros are more important for me. Especially proposed calendar size and the pointing system is a step forward.
    Stupid is as stupid does. Forrest Gump

  7. #7
    Senior Member Eli's Avatar
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    if they will be limited to a maximum of 10 events it means at least 2 will drop, i hope those 2 will be the Acropolis and Corsica and i hope to see them both next year in the WRC.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Jarek Z's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PLuto View Post
    From 2015, the ERC will be contested over a maximum of 10 events
    Finally! It took them 3 years to understand it. But better late than never.
    Quite surprisingly, almost all changes seem to be good.
    http://www.rallymadness.prv.pl - rally photos and movies!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mirek View Post
    If I understand right this aligning is just a case of the subcategory naming which for me is quite irrelevant. Otherwise all the changes look reasonable. I only don't like the mandatory registration and the maximum 220 km limit which is for me too low. But the pros are more important for me. Especially proposed calendar size and the pointing system is a step forward.
    I agree, but mostly we know from the beginning of the season who will do a ERC program. The 220 KM limit is indeed too low, Ypres will have to cut down alot then and will not be the only rally..

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by mousti View Post
    The 220 KM limit is indeed too low, Ypres will have to cut down alot then and will not be the only rally..
    Not necessarily, if you read again: "In addition, the total stage length for each round will be reduced to 220 kilometres, unless agreed otherwise by Eurosport Events Ltd,"

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