WRC Calendar 2023

[AnttiL]

Strange they are asking italian ASN for Monza when Spain is unhappy with not being in calendar and trying to fight to be back as soon as possible...

And Italy already has Sardinia on the calendar

[WRCStan]

The main issue most have with Monza is the ratio of circuit vs mountain roads.

I can understand it as a backstop, helps the organiser a little. Then the main issue becomes it's nearly impossible to watch. It's always dark there with too many barriers and fences, overhanging trees with not enough (elevated) cameras. Especially if they think this is the primary route going forward, they've got to absolutely saturate the place with lights and cameras, else... what's the point?

[Sergiow]

The main issue most have with Monza is the ratio of circuit vs mountain roads.

If they really want to add a second WRC rally in Italy then why not Rally Roma which is a fixture in the ERC calendar. Here is recap from the 2020 edition with Sordo+Loubet on Hyundai WRC plus, Oliver Solberg on the Polo R5 (3rd overall) , Fourmaux on the Fiesta R5 (big crash here!) and Breen on the Hyundai R5 (4th overall) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFqHcnAymeA

[wyler]

If they really want to add a second WRC rally in Italy then why not Rally Roma which is a fixture in the ERC calendar. Here is recap from the 2020 edition with Sordo+Loubet on Hyundai WRC plus, Oliver Solberg on the Polo R5 (3rd overall) , Fourmaux on the Fiesta R5 (big crash here!) and Breen on the Hyundai R5 (4th overall) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFqHcnAymeA

cause its not at the end of the season.

[ictus]

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/wrc-powers-into-2023-with-exciting-new-look-calendar/?fbclid=IwAR1TaB6vZbckpCzsuIW344NUlnEmL_GoGMCfxX4d LOQnAxq3C-UDYkdF2jU
I guess it's official now.

[Eli]

Glad to see Saudi Arabia didn't make the cut, and that we remain with 13 rounds, it's already expensive enough as it is.

[Portimao]

I'm glad there's no Monza

[Sal yet again]

What sort of road miles total do you think the 3 country event in October will have? Appreciate the relative geographic closeness but an interesting choice.

[Managarium]

I'm glad there's no Monza

well it takes only one rally to be canceled :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/david-evans-view-on-the-new-wrc-calendar/

[ictus]

What sort of road miles total do you think the 3 country event in October will have? Appreciate the relative geographic closeness but an interesting choice.

It's gonna be based in the German city Passau, look up it's location and you know ;)

[Kenneth]

It's gonna be based in the German city Passau, look up it's location and you know ;)

Well but the start ceremony and SSS will be in Prague.

[Sergiow]

WRC gets a lot of money from Sardinia. The event is backed by the Sardinian tourism authority with almost 1 million euro, plus 200k euros from Alghero City council and about the same money by Alghero's tourism authority. If we consider the private sponsors, you can peek also Qatar's hotels (Smeralda Holding) and you can easily understand why Sardinia can't be actually touched. Don't forget that Italian ASN's President is Angelo Sticchi Damiani, a man that has a great lobby power within the FIA. All that said to underline how Sardinia is strongly backed both on a commercial and sporting pov.

Regarding the event itself, moving the Service Park to Alghero brought a lot of people and tourists to the service park, which was a complaint from the teams in the years back in Olbia. Another "past issue" was the ferry boat cost, which is now 100% free of charge for all the teams and the spectators got advantage of it with the discounts offered by the sponsor (Grimaldi Lines) both from Genoa, Livorno and Barcelona. And Alghero-Olbia are 2 airports with plenty of EasyJet-Ryanair low-cost flights.

Generally Sardinia is a powerhouse in getting worldwide events: other than WRC they got Extreme E, Motocross MXGP, F1H2O and the Aquabike world cup.

Rally Italia Sardegna confirmed this year for 1-4 June 2023. From my local contacts I heard that WRC will stay in Sardegna until at least the end of 2025. This is not only due to Sardegna being a powerhouse on world events but also because it partially saved the WRC's promotor ass by keeping the event ongoing during the covid years

[Eli]

Rally Italia Sardegna confirmed this year for 1-4 June 2023. From my local contacts I heard that WRC will stay in Sardegna until at least the end of 2025. This is not only due to Sardegna being a powerhouse on world events but also because it partially saved the WRC's promotor ass by keeping the event ongoing during the covid years

Here you go: https://twitter.com/rally_d_italia/status/1596153014938746885?s=61&t=MNLo47BF4cJKByzv_t4Skw

[AnttiL]

well it takes only one rally to be canceled :D

Like this year…no, Ypres handled it

[Managarium]

2023. is last year for Croatia. I mean it is a last year of contract with promotor. When they signed in 2021, the contract was 1+1+1 year.
It's my home rally and of course I would like to see it in calendar for many more years, but also I am aware that there are many big rallies eager to come back to WRC.

[traxx]

This kind of roads ?
https://www.rally-maps.com/3-St%C3%A4dte-Rallye-2022

[hari]

This kind of roads ?
https://www.rally-maps.com/3-St%C3%A4dte-Rallye-2022

Gallery from this years ADAC 3-Städte Rallye:
https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos_bestof_adac_3_staedte_rallye_2022.html

Was a very nice and spectacular event. Lots of action on the dirty autumn roads.

[J4MIE]

I thought Croatia signed for another few years just recently?
Replying to post a few above.

[Managarium]

I thought Croatia signed for another few years just recently?
Replying to post a few above.

There is no official info about that, not even any rumours.
In Croatia rally is not big thing.
The organizers are tight lip and when is official by FIA, then they are making an announcement.

[Sergiow]

Gallery from this years ADAC 3-Städte Rallye:
https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos_bestof_adac_3_staedte_rallye_2022.html

Was a very nice and spectacular event. Lots of action on the dirty autumn roads.

Very nice, sounds good, looking forward to this ADAC 3-Städte Rallye. In matter of fact they once had the same idea in Belgium to group the 3 big national rallies (Ypres, Condroz and Spa) into one national WRC Rally Belgium but the plan never ever materialised. Albeit the WRC Ypres 2021 Rally had at least both Ypres and Spa rally parts.

[Kenneth]

According to president of ACCR Jan Šťovíček, the start ceremony will be held at Hradčanské náměstí, where is entrance to the Prague Castle. It is the same place where the beginning of Red Bull F1 Castle to Castle (https://youtu.be/4qbfQSLUdDo?t=44) video were filmed.

The SSS will be probably around the Strahov stadium, where Prague Rallysprint Show (https://youtu.be/XzSA5tzCMNw) took place yesterday.

It's nice for spectators, but idk if it's WRC worthy, I hope they will find a way to extend the stage. Imo it would be nice to start at the castle and finish the stage at the stadium. It's about 2km on lovely roads, starting with narrow cobblestone street, going into more technical section with crossroads, then hillclimb onto stadium area, where they can surely find 1 or 2 more kms. Also as video shown, there is a lot of space for spectators.

[PLuto]

Very nice, sounds good, looking forward to this ADAC 3-Städte Rallye. In matter of fact they once had the same idea in Belgium to group the 3 big national rallies (Ypres, Condroz and Spa) into one national WRC Rally Belgium but the plan never ever materialised. Albeit the WRC Ypres 2021 Rally had at least both Ypres and Spa rally parts.

In fact, with this CER, they are not grouping three big national rallies. In fact, it will be brand new event in three countries, with new organisers. I am not sure how this can work properly...

[WRC1]

In fact, with this CER, they are not grouping three big national rallies. In fact, it will be brand new event in three countries, with new organisers. I am not sure how this can work properly...

of course you are not sure.....you are in Orga of the (till last week) biggest Rally in your Country (since decades) and everybody wants to step up and try to get into WRC....and when you watch the ERC especially this year, it was a shadow of it´s glory days, and than somebody new is coming out of nowhere and gets WRC...of course you have to be "not sure"

but look at Rally Croatia for example, they came also out of nowhere and they delivered a very very well organised event. so my fingres are crossed for a nice new challenge in 3 different countries!

[AnttiL]

https://itgetsfasternow.com/2022/11/28/2023-wrc-calendar-thoughts/

My thoughts on the calendar.

[PLuto]

of course you are not sure.....you are in Orga of the (till last week) biggest Rally in your Country (since decades) and everybody wants to step up and try to get into WRC....and when you watch the ERC especially this year, it was a shadow of it´s glory days, and than somebody new is coming out of nowhere and gets WRC...of course you have to be "not sure"

but look at Rally Croatia for example, they came also out of nowhere and they delivered a very very well organised event. so my fingres are crossed for a nice new challenge in 3 different countries!

I must say I was never fan of stepping of Barum to WRC because I know lot of from behind of the scene. I know how much money it costs, I know how much more bureaucracy is needed, I know what FIA is doing etc.

But this "new" rally is something completely different. I dont like the system how it is built (with new organiser made from three different autoclubs). I dont believe cooperation between them will work (and not only based on experience with 3-Stadte this year). I dont like the style, how the rally was politicaly pushed to the calendar despite most of the people doesnt want it. Making big rally on WRC level from scratch is not easy... Everything will cost huge amount of money (which will be big issue for all other motorsport events in Czech and also from competitors) and I am not sure the result will be good...

[rallyfiend]

I must say I was never fan of stepping of Barum to WRC because I know lot of from behind of the scene. I know how much money it costs, I know how much more bureaucracy is needed, I know what FIA is doing etc.

But this "new" rally is something completely different. I dont like the system how it is built (with new organiser made from three different autoclubs). I dont believe cooperation between them will work (and not only based on experience with 3-Stadte this year). I dont like the style, how the rally was politicaly pushed to the calendar despite most of the people doesnt want it. Making big rally on WRC level from scratch is not easy... Everything will cost huge amount of money (which will be big issue for all other motorsport events in Czech and also from competitors) and I am not sure the result will be good...

Surely this is just ADAC Rallye DEutschland in a different suit?

ADAC taking the lead?

[PLuto]

Surely this is just ADAC Rallye DEutschland in a different suit?

ADAC taking the lead?

Thats the question...

[bearclaw]

...some infos about the organization of the rally at 28:30

https://youtu.be/cxTnEekKYmk

Friday in Czech Republic, Saturday in Austria, Sunday in Germany

[dck1989]

Now that Spain isn't on the calender what is the best/accessible/economical European round to attend.

[becher]

Now that Spain isn't on the calender what is the best/accessible/economical European round to attend.
I would guess Croatia could work well, the event itself is free and prices for accommodation should be reasonable. I also found the event relatively easy to spectate, then again it was only my second WRC event so my experience is limited.

[ictus]

Now that Spain isn't on the calender what is the best/accessible/economical European round to attend.

it all depands on where you live...

[dck1989]

it all depands on where you live...

Be traveling via Dublin airport.

[Jewy46]

Be traveling via Dublin airport.

For me Finland has to be the best. Can be done a budget if you use AirBNB or the likes and the best rallying you will see in the world IMO. I've travelled from Ireland 3 times now, every time brilliant

[Andre Oliveira]

Now that Spain isn't on the calender what is the best/accessible/economical European round to attend.

Portugal

[NOT]

Be traveling via Dublin airport.

prices to greece from dublin are quite ok during september (around 160 pp) if you book early (2-3 months before) and the rally itself is quite cheap since access to stages is free

[Sergiow]

Here you go: https://twitter.com/rally_d_italia/status/1596153014938746885?s=61&t=MNLo47BF4cJKByzv_t4Skw

Sarà la città di Olbia ad ospitare il parco assistenza e la base del rally. Proprio nel 2023 la gara sarda festeggerà le venti edizioni, di cui diciannove nel Campionato del Mondo Rally.

Note: no word yet on the exact route for 2023. It was usually signed by Tiziano Siviero (2 times World Champion with Miki Biasion) but he had a big road accident in september ...

[jonkka]

My thoughts on the calendar.

Uh, so an enjoyable piece. First, my kudos for that, then followed by some nitpicking 'cause that's only I am good at. Quotes from your blog/site.


There’s only a few changes

If they change three events out of 13, I wouldn't quite call that a few. Admittedly, rotating NZ out isn't unheard of but it's still a change.


And once again the calendar is 13 events long instead of 14.

Calendar hasn't been over 13 since 2008 unless you refer to plans to have more than that. And if you do, plans are plans until proverbial fat lady sings.


and Central European rally seems like an interesting concept.

Now, this comes down to a personal preference but I am firm believer of national rallies. I was to rant about nationalism but my wits got better of me and I'd rather argue that a single organizational entity will make better event than untried cross-border miss-mash. CET sounds like utter garbage of a concept is you ask me.


but changing Catalunya to Mexico makes the calendar appear more gravel-heavy

Just my 2c and very personal opinion but rally equals gravel. Tarmac has a place in WRC but it has been and it has to be a minor partner. Now, what is minor enough is a good question but I am here to stir the pot, not to offer solutions. BTW: since I am on rant, ban RGT!


but maybe Mexico, Portugal, Sardinia and Acropolis are too close to each other.

Until we see the itineraries, this is somewhat speculative but yes, you're right. Then again, Mexico is 3rd event of the season and Acropolis 10th, how much further apart you could potentially set them?

[WRCStan]

Just my 2c and very personal opinion but rally equals gravel. Tarmac has a place in WRC but it has been and it has to be a minor partner. Now, what is minor enough is a good question but I am here to stir the pot, not to offer solutions.

I get there's an argument that the World in WRC means World class and not rallying the world, but how can {whoever} say they are the greatest in the world if they don't prove themselves on a variety of surfaces?

[AnttiL]

Uh, so an enjoyable piece. First, my kudos for that
Thanks!


If they change three events out of 13, I wouldn't quite call that a few. Admittedly, rotating NZ out isn't unheard of but it's still a change.

It's true that 3/13 is quite a big percentage, while usually calendar changed only one rally at a time. But at the same time, Ypres and NZ haven't been staples of the calendar in the last decade, we knew all along they were just visiting the series for now (especially Ypres).


Calendar hasn't been over 13 since 2008 unless you refer to plans to have more than that. And if you do, plans are plans until proverbial fat lady sings.

Yeah, like I explain later in the article, already in 2016 China was on the calendar, 2019 Australia and then the whole 2020 calendar...they've tried it for a while now. Although in those years the actual calendar was 14 events, just events got canceled for force majeure reasons, for 2023 it was just rumors of a fourteenth event.

[Eli]

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-linked-to-new-south-australian-event/10406713/

Rally Australia seems to be back in the mix but not before 2025, it won’t go back to NSW but to South Australia (SA), Rally Adelaide.

[J4MIE]

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-linked-to-new-south-australian-event/10406713/

Rally Australia seems to be back in the mix but not before 2025, it won’t go back to NSW but to South Australia (SA), Rally Adelaide.

I’d love to see this. I was in Adelaide a few weeks ago and drove up into the hills and the tarmac public roads are really nice, would make a good tarmac event. I didn’t realise about the Adelaide Rally until I saw the road closure signs, but couldn’t stay for the event. Bad timing for the trip to miss both rallies there! :rolleyes:

[typhoon]

So at this point, Saudi Arabia is pushing to have a slot, the US are working on the event between Nashville and Atlanta, Spain is in the middle of an internal "fight" between Catalunya and Canary Island, plus now there's the bid of Australia-NZ most likely on a rotation basis.

If the Promoter won't work on making the WRC sexy for sponsors that can help the teams out in sustaining this calendar, teams will give up. They desperately need partners like DHL and Aramco to pay these flyaway rallies! Someone in Munich needs to wake up asap.

[rallyfiend]

So at this point, Saudi Arabia is pushing to have a slot, the US are working on the event between Nashville and Atlanta, Spain is in the middle of an internal "fight" between Catalunya and Canary Island, plus now there's the bid of Australia-NZ most likely on a rotation basis.

If the Promoter won't work on making the WRC sexy for sponsors that can help the teams out in sustaining this calendar, teams will give up. They desperately need partners like DHL and Aramco to pay these flyaway rallies! Someone in Munich needs to wake up asap.

Are you sure the teams don't already get paid for these events?

Even WRC2 teams get financial support for the fly away events. And they don't pay an entry fee like they have to for the European events.

[typhoon]

Are you sure the teams don't already get paid for these events?

Even WRC2 teams get financial support for the fly away events. And they don't pay an entry fee like they have to for the European events.

3000 euros on the entry list, plus (free or discounted) accomodation paid by the local event promoter is not that big deal, when you have to spend 100k to go racing in Mexico with a Rally2 car. There's need for a stronger support from the WRC Promoter itself. And I'm talking about the support Eurosport Events was providing to the teams in WTCC, paying the plane or the cargo for the teams to ship the equipment to Asia. That would be a very strong support for them.

[Co-driven]

Are you sure the teams don't already get paid for these events?

Even WRC2 teams get financial support for the fly away events. And they don't pay an entry fee like they have to for the European events.

On previous seasons, I don't remember hearing that teams received support from promoter/FIA for logistical costs. It was common free entry fee and hotel costs (in some events).

[rallyfiend]

On previous seasons, I don't remember hearing that teams received support from promoter/FIA for logistical costs. It was common free entry fee and hotel costs (in some events).

I'm definitely aware of WRC2 teams getting proper cash from promoter to attend long haul events...

[MentalParadox]

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-linked-to-new-south-australian-event/10406713/

Rally Australia seems to be back in the mix but not before 2025, it won’t go back to NSW but to South Australia (SA), Rally Adelaide.

Oh no, Australia turning into another tarmac rally...? :confused:

I wish we could get Perth back...

[J4MIE]

Oh no, Australia turning into another tarmac rally...? :confused:

I wish we could get Perth back...

“We want more tarmac rallies!”

“No, not like that!”

:rolleyes:

[GigiGalliNo1]

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-linked-to-new-south-australian-event/10406713/

Rally Australia seems to be back in the mix but not before 2025, it won’t go back to NSW but to South Australia (SA), Rally Adelaide.

I attended The Australian Rally Champs event in Adelaide and it was the worst organised event I had ever been to. Primarily based around a racing circuit, 4 or 6 actual country/rally stages which 1.5 ran and the rest cancelled due to "rain" and a goat track x2 set of stages next to the race track ran... but again "rain" cancelled. So, the event consisted of tarmac stages on a V8 Supercar race track and a go-cart track.


I’d love to see this. I was in Adelaide a few weeks ago and drove up into the hills and the tarmac public roads are really nice, would make a good tarmac event. I didn’t realise about the Adelaide Rally until I saw the road closure signs, but couldn’t stay for the event. Bad timing for the trip to miss both rallies there! :rolleyes:

You didn't miss much. The event was organised and run by the people who let the ARC use their race track, so you know... when it rains on a racetrack, the organisers yellow flag everything... cancelled stages. It was a hot mess. The clerk of course I believe got fired.