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Apart from the FIA & promoter saying they want 14 events with 8 in Europe & 6 outside of Europe, is there any news concerning next year’s calendar?
Will Spain still be there or are they rotating with Germany?
Also, does anyone know what happened to Mexico? they announced they’ll be next year a couple of weeks ago and then they taken away all the posts about it.
6 outside Europe would certainly bring it back to being a 'World' championship. Should be a good calendar.
Acropolis Rally has a contract for 2023 as well.
While the Cyprus Rally is too expensive for the ERC: https://www.rallye-magazin.de/int/ar...rschaft-48788/ apparently the promoter & FIA are looking into it for 2023 in the WRC, according to this article: https://www.rallit.fi/ksml-rallin-mm...sta-kilpailua/
the calendar will be known during August.
Mexico have signed a deal with the promoter. They'll be on the calendarQuote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Skeptical about a 6-abroad rally calendar in terms of cost, all the more with some places not that good in terms of marketing (+ when we see the Finnish article, sounds to be 6 + Cyprus as there are talking about Middle-East and 2 American events). But if the logistics mutualisation between events is well done, why not but it would be even more than the most on Loeb’s era with a 16-event calendar (the most was 5 + Turkey or 5 + Cyprus). Already trying to get back to 4 or 5 would have sounded more cautious to me.
With such a type of calendar, a 7-round WRC-2 program could be complicated to create for some drivers.
Cyprus is a non-sense to me with a Greek rally already there + a Middle-East one.
And no rally in neither Spain nor Portugal is even more a non-sense to me. And all the more with adding Latvia whereas Estonia and Finland are already there.
Last point is that with what is evoked, the tarmac/gravel is even more ruined.
For me, we should keep absolutely as the core basis (3 tarmac, 1 fast gravel, 2 slow gravel)
Monte Carlo, Safari, Finland, Greece, Catalunya, Japan.
Then add:
- 2 tarmac rallies among Barum, Ypres, Croatia, a German one and an Italian one (Roma or San Remo).
- 1 snow rally (most logical is Sweden at the moment but why not try something else considering some of the issues of the last years)
- 1 fast gravel, most logical being Estonia (and else Latvia or Poland)
- 1 slow gravel in Oceania (NZ logically)
- 1 gravel in America (Mexico?)
- 1 gravel rally in Europe, either a UK one Wales-type or Portugal (not really convinced by Sardegna organization)
- a last one whatever it is.
Where's not that good? Europe is a sick man in marketing terms and is way over-represented, wouldn't be surprised if Toyota are happy to shift the other teams about!Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny0405
A Saudi desert road event sounds good for the championship in variety and appeal. Don't know for entertainment quality, doesn't even have to be an existing event. (I'm sure Sulland is positive on a Saudi round too!)
I guess adding Mexico, Chile, Kenya, Japan, Nz makes the 6, if ruling out Argentina and Oz, but doesn't mean all 6 are delivered. Hopefully they don't give any TBA for the UK again, don't waste anybody's time. Though the lack of tarmac is sad, need to replace Catalunya at minimum. Latvia and Cyprus are... meh.
Cyprus...why? We already have plenty of dusty, gravel European events - and the Acropolis have a deal. WRC needs more tarmac, I've never understood the problem the FiA have with it. And I agree above about binning the UK.....until there is a proper bid for a mainland event, forget it.
My only concern is costs; 14 rounds is a lot for a sport struggling for manufacturers, sponsors, etc Going to 16 in the mid 00's was an error.
But more uncomfortable to watch live all stages when they are half a day in different time zone. As a european.Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
Last rally which was on complete different time zone was Mexico just before Covid kicked in. Some of us hardly remember what is like to stay up at night to watch rally.
There were some rumours that Sardegna might be out and replaced by Rome.
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/w...inue/10344438/
Perhaps the rumours from Finland were more accurate then some initially thought.
https://www.rallye-magazin.de/schlag...schland-48824/
Unfortunately, no Rally Deutschland comeback for the 2023 calendar, just makes me even happier and more grateful for going there back in 2019. The promoter & FIA seem keen in bringing Saudi Arabia & a rally in the US for next year, so 6 rallies outside of Europe for next year it seems. I do wonder though, which European rally will they put instead in August (as that's the usual slot for the tarmac rally).
If they can't get in the WRC, maybe they need to try the ERC.....I always thought Germany was an important market. Who knows anymore.......
Did anyone pick up on Julian Porter's words as Hayden Paddon approached end of SS17 Patajoki 2. Does he know something or is it just hopeful speculation.
What did he said?Quote:
Originally Posted by KiwiWRCfan
Full Rally2 campaign in 2023Quote:
Originally Posted by Tauri_J
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I think he (Paddon) mentioned that before the start of this year’s campaign. But coming back to topic, were there any mentions of next year’s calendar in Finland?
http://rallynoticias.com/nivel2.php?..._noticia=19110
Not sure how reliable they are but if they are correct, this is the draft calendar, which wasn't shown in the last WMSC meeting:
"This panorama is expressed in the draft as follows:
January 19-22- Monte Carlo Rally
February 08-12-Rally Sweden
month of March- Rally of Mexico
month of April- Rally of Croatia
month of April- Rally of Argentina or Chile
month of May- Rally of Portugal
month of June- Rally of Italy
month of June- Rally of Kenya
July-Rally Estonia
month of July- Rally Finland
month of August- Rally of New Zealand
month of September- Rally of Greece
month of October- Rally of Japan
to define- Rally of Saudi Arabia
The definitive calendar should be known next October."
Don't know why they had to 'kill' most of the tarmac rounds, from 5 we're down to 3..That's disappointing to say the least, no Germany, no Spain or Corsica ? Not to mention the fact the WRC won't be in Northern Ireland or Ireland for that matter :/ Too many gravel events in my book, and how come Estonia is still there? (no offense but I'd rather see a tarmac round instead).
WTF... only Monte, Croatia and Japan as tarmac? Pathetic. Yes, I'm sure Saudi Arabia, country with great motorsport tradition, deserves a spot...Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Yeah, my thoughts exactly...Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
The proposed calendar back in 2019 for 2020 was much better than this; okay swap out Turkey for Greece but still.
That site usually isn’t that reliable and I hope they aren’t also this time
I really hope they aren’t and that we get (at least) one more Tarmac rally.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
$$$$$Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
FIA president is from Middle East
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Has there been a candidate/test event there? If its a typical desert rally perhaps hoping Nasser or another Middle East driver will win...
Also not very sustainable expecting the circus/media etc to fly back from Mexico then back to Sth America in a matter of weeks.
Would it be more sustainable to do it with two months in between? It's not possible to do the events so quickly back to back that everyone could go directly from event to another. The service gear moves slowly from Mexico to South America in several weeks. This has been the same in the past as well, Corsica was driven between Mexico and Argentina from 2017 to 2019.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sal yet again
2019 Argentina and Chile were an exception, they were driven with a two week gap and linked cars. Some drivers even stayed the time in South America, some chose to fly home in between.
As for the whole calendar, I don't know if they can just pick and choose events like "we choose to have X tarmac rallies". They have to take what is available or with best contracts. I don't think Ypres ever was planning to be a permanent round, it has been just a substitute event now for two years in a row. As for Catalunya, I have no idea what's going on, they already had one year off and came back as full tarmac.
Not personally happy about a rally in the Saudis, but competionally it could be interesting.
Appreciate that logistics arent always straightforward factoring in Customs clearance etc its more about perception in the outside world going forwards I guess. The hacks will be ok clocking up the airmiles however thought the FIA and the promoters might have been a bit more interested in showing a more joined up approach than just random events going to the highest bidders.
Shame about Cataluyna if true as IMO we need a proper race track tarmac event as the cars look that much better in full tarmac spec than with those gaping wheel arches.
Other than Estonia ( and not wishing to upset anyone there despite the amount of Ott fans and their passion, its just too similar in "look" to Finland) it appears to be a good calendar with a nice mix of "classics" and newer entries. Not crying about our lack of a UK event, its clear we neither want or deserve a round even with a home grown ex WRC Champion as the head of the sport here or an ex WRC Champion in a senior FIA position. If they can't help grease the wheels the drought will continue.
I'd still argue, again, no offense to Estonian fans, it would be better to have another Tarmac event, whether it's Spain or Germany but since both apparently don't seem important enough for the FIA & Promoter it's hard to see them back on the calendar or for any tarmac event to replace them for next year. My only hope is they (the ASNs) won't quit and will try to come back to the WRC calendar for 2024.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sal yet again
only hope is the rumored 3 stadt rally in the 3 country version...Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
You mean Austria-Czech Republic-Germany? that hope?Quote:
Originally Posted by wyler
yup, at the moment, it seems the most realistic tarmac new entry...Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
I heard from a good source in Finland this same calendar, only exception was that it was either Chile or nothing (for sure no Argentina).Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
And also Saudi Arabia in early December was something highlighted as 100% confirmed.
So down from 5 events on tarmac to 3?? That's really disappointing to say the least. And what? they'll have a 2 month break between Japan & Saudi Arabia at the end of the season? no the FIA & promoter have completely lost it, honestly, the levels of stupidity (& probably corruption) are beyond compare.Quote:
Originally Posted by Co-driven
I'm aware they're not the most reliable source yet now they claim the 8th spot in Europe is between Spain & Portugal: http://rallynoticias.com/nivel2.php?id_noticia=19128
This article does not mention Croatia at all?Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Yes I have no idea why, they wrote 8 events in Europe but then forgot to mention Croatia, hopefully it's just a mistake on their behalf.Quote:
Originally Posted by bomber21
Think Croatia had signed an agreement earlier this year? So must be in.
The "DH / Les Sports" news met the ex-director of Hyundai and organizer of the 'Ypres Rally', Alain Penasse:
Can we imagine seeing Ypres established on the calendar in 2023?
"No, because we have no support from the government. And, without that, it's impossible when you have to pay the normal set rights, i.e. between 1.5 million and 5 million. At 100 euros a ticket, you would have to that half of Belgium come to watch the rally so that we get by. There is a greater desire from many other countries to have a round of the WRC in their country. With us, we have to apply for three years in advance to hope to receive a budget from the government. When I see what it grants to cycling, it is painful."
And does the federation support you enough?
"She is doing what she can with her means. There is a desire to have a Belgian round of the WRC, but the problem remains the same: money!"
There was an interview with Urmo Aava (Director of Rally Estonia). Currently the situation is that they have an offer to organize the event in 2023 and extend it to until 2026. They are waiting for the government decision about how much they can support this event. Ticket sales were so-so. About 30 000 unique spectators, of which half of them had the rally pass and other half bought daily tickets.