[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

It was in MotorsportNews who reported next year’s RallyGB could move to mid September – which is a mistake. This was tried in 2004/5 and wasn’t a success. I wish they’d leave it to end of Nov/early Dec as the final round – they keep moving it around. We’ve had mid September, early December, end of October, which is no way to try and grow an event.
However, there was nothing mentioned about Harrogate. As for Scotland – it’s possible – I can’t see the IRC event continuing after this year – it simply hasn’t been supported by the British rallying community, unlike other European IRC rounds.

Monte Carlo should be in a championship - not fussed which one!

Indonesia would be nice but same as Safari in Kenya - security issues might be the problem.

Don't see why RallyGB had a problem in September? It was good weather, dry and dusty - really enjoyable.

NEWS FROM BARCELONA

ITALY is back: Rally Emotion - WRC / CLAMOROSO: l organizers confirmed us earlier today

Abu Dhabi is OUT, Monte Carlo is IN!

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Originally Posted by Motorsportfun

Abu Dhabi is OUT, Monte Carlo is IN!

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Wow, is that true? Any proof links? Thanks in advance!

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Originally Posted by R33

Wow, is that true? Any proof links? Thanks in advance!

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Direct sources, phone calls... :)

I guess I will have to wait till the news is published somewhere then=)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by R33

I guess I will have to wait till the news is published somewhere then=)

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FIA.com

WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

The dates and venues for the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship are confirmed as follows, with the inclusion of Rallye Monte Carlo and Italy on the calendar.

22/01 MCO Monte Carlo
12/02 SWE Sweden
11/03 MEX Mexico
01/04 PRT Portugal
29/04 ARG Argentina
27/05 GRC Greece * (or 03/06)
24/06 NZL New Zealand
05/08 FIN Finland
26/08 DEU Germany
16/09 GBR Great Britain
07/10 FRA France
04/11 ESP Spain
October ITA Italy *
* Dates subject to confirmation

Note: The date given is the Sunday of the rally weekend. Itineraries are however subject to final confirmation by event organisers.

Abu Dhabi, previously published on the calendar subject to approval of the Event Business Plan, has been removed from the 2012 calendar. The organiser is invited to submit a proposal to run a candidate event for possible future inclusion in the series.

From 1 January 2012 the shakedown will be used as a qualifying stage for all Priority 1 and 2 drivers to determine the start order for each individual gravel rally. Taking into account the shakedown times, P1 and P2 crews - in order of fastest to slowest - will be permitted to select their start positions. Subsequent days, all Priority 1 and 2 crews will restart in reverse order. The start position of all remaining crews will be determined according to the current regulations.

It is clarified that all priority and non-priority drivers competing with Group R4 cars must use the specified tyres produced by the FIA nominated tyre companies.

From 1 January 2012, save dispensation, both crew members must have a valid driving license throughout an event.

RALLYING

A number of amendments have been made to the 2012 and 2013 Technical and Homologation regulations in order to simplify designs, reduce costs and increase reliability and safety.

From 2012, a system of promotion and relegation will be adopted to ensure the best events are included in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC). Taking into account points awarded by the Observer, as well as the number of starters and foreign competitors, current ERC events with the lowest points total will be relegated to Coefficient 10 Rally Cups, while the rallies with the highest points in that Cup will be promoted to the ERC.

In order to assist in planning and organisation, the Janner Rally is confirmed in the 2012 ERC to take place between 5-7 January 2012.

Confirmed what I told :D