[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[T16]

Running the old aero. Just wanted to say it before everyone else does haha.

Wasn’t this filmed before the new aero was launched anyway?

[Andre Oliveira]

FIA World Rally Championship

The 2019 FIA World Rally Championship calendar is confirmed as follows:

27 January


Rally Monte Carlo

17 February


Rally Sweden

10 March


Rally Mexico

31 March


Rally France

28 April


Rally Argentina

12 May


Rally Chile

2 June


Rally Portugal

16 June


Rally Italy

4 August


Rally Finland

25 August *


Rally Germany

15 September


Rally Turkey

6 October *


Rally Great Britain

27 October *


Rally Spain

17 November *


Rally Australia

In order to give consistent identity to drivers and assist with promotion, Priority 1 drivers will be free to choose their permanent car number from 2019, except number 1, which will always be reserved for the reigning World Rally Champion.* Date subject to confirmation

As part of an overall cost reduction plan aimed at removing or reducing the cost of elements that do not add to the spectacle of the Championship, the number of test days will be reduced from 55 to 42 for WRC Manufacturer teams. The total distance of special stages has been reduced from a maximum of 500 to a maximum of 350 kilometres.

From 2019, the support championships will be restructured to help increase the number of entrants in Manufacturer Championships, to boost the number of factory supported drivers and cars, and further encourage private competitors to the WRC 2 and Junior WRC Championships. Building on the success of the R5 car, a new WRC 2 Pro Championship for Drivers, Co-Drivers and Manufacturers will be created as a platform for registered R5 manufacturers.

The same specification R5 car will continue to be used in the FIA WRC 2 Championship. This championship will be solely for private entrants, with the intention being to attract more drivers from national and regional championships.

In order to continue supporting the progression of young talent in the sport, the format of the Junior WRC Championship will remain unchanged. The WRC 3 Championship will cease from 2019 although competitors in two-wheel drive cars are still eligible to enter events.

The Championships will therefore be as follows:

FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers, Co-drivers and Manufacturers
FIA WRC 2 Pro Championship for Drivers, Co-drivers and Manufacturers
FIA WRC 2 Championship for Drivers and Co-drivers
FIA Junior WRC Championship for Drivers, Co-drivers and Nations

[T16]

According to Iain Campbell on Twitter, rally GB date still not fixed as they don’t have calendar yet.
Mid November will do please.

[rallye-vid]

Germany in September? wtf

[EstWRC]

nope, the dates are above the rally name, not under

[rallye-vid]

Aye, right. Got scared a bit.

[racerx1979]

Wasn’t this filmed before the new aero was launched anyway?

Not sure, but they were filming before Rally Turkey.

[Allez Andruet]

Isn't the WRC 2 Pro just about the dumbest thing the FIA has produced in a while?

[Simmi]

Isn't the WRC 2 Pro just about the dumbest thing the FIA has produced in a while?

Hmm don't think so really. Formalises what already exists, and maybe encourages in more privateers who previously didn't stand a chance against works Skodas.

It might also mean we get an extra 'works' Hyundai and VWs.

[RS]

Hmm don't think so really. Formalises what already exists, and maybe encourages in more privateers who previously didn't stand a chance against works Skodas.

It might also mean we get an extra 'works' Hyundai and VWs.

But doesn't it just devalue the WRC2 championship?

In fact WRC2 would have been pretty weak this year without works Skodas..