2022 WRC News & Rumours

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Very sad news on Rally NI 2022.

It was our last best hope of a UK return of the WRC in the one area that has shown ANY real interest in putting on an event here.

I fear if Rally NI doesnt happen in 2023 then that will be end for a WRC rally ever again in this country.

[becher]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/who-w...6SKD2zLw7ccY3I

Not really news, but might be of interest regardless.

[Kenneth]

They did forget Ogier?

[AndyRAC]

It was our last best hope of a UK return of the WRC in the one area that has shown ANY real interest in putting on an event here.

One has to ask the MSUK, why are they(NI) the only area/region showing any interest? Pretty damning in all honesty for MSUK that they've made a mess of the event.

[Danny0405]

https://www.rallye-sport.fr/s-loeb-j...tout-le-temps/

Loeb says he will not be in Croatia.
Neither Ogier (said «*not before Portugal*»)

Apparently, it is pretty sure for Ogier’s entry in Portugal and Portugal is also compatible with Rally Raid and Extreme E calendar. A new fight between the 2?

From what I saw before, Portugal and Spain were the most compatible rallies for Loeb with rally-raid and Extreme E and also the TBD August round; Safari possible but more complex. All of them make sense for Loeb (victory in Catalunya not that far away, tarmac TBD and maybe Germany, good road position in Portugal, Safari road position + partially rally raid approach even if less than the old Safari) so I think they will find an agreement for 2 or 3 of these ones (all the more now with his victory that raises his PR ranking again). Don’t think more than this because Loeb has been quite clear he doesn’t want too much races.

For Ogier, with WEC where he seems to discuss for a full LMP2 program, Portugal, Kenya, the TBD August round, New Zealand and Spain are compatible (I forget the Nordic rallies). And Latvala said Toyota wants him in Japan for PR (same weekend than WEC Bahrain); probably 4 to Pick among these 6. I remember Ogier told he liked a lot Safari so I would bet Portugal and Safari for the next ones. Ogier said it should be discussed soon as his WEC program is finalizing.
Latvala’s bet recently was MC, Croatia, Sardinia, New Zealand and Japan so a little far from this.

[er88]

One has to ask the MSUK, why are they(NI) the only area/region showing any interest? Pretty damning in all honesty for MSUK that they've made a mess of the event.

They're a bandit operation.

[Danny0405]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/loeb-...ttle-in-kenya/

No fact but more some assumptions about the calendar and the conflicts with their other championships.
It’s not evoked in the article but also Galmiche’s calendar may be in the mix as she is a math teacher (even if in some special sort of school) so, as the preparation is much more important and long for a world rally in main class, she may not afford to be outside anytime (different than the rallies she has done so far in the number of days to spend) and Loeb seemed to stick with her for all his stints which is logical.

And I would not be surprised for Ogier as he was very enthusiastic (which is not frequent with him, I precise it’s not a criticism) about Safari and he says it again.

[dimviii]

Gregor Pavsic
@GregorPavsic
According to official press release, WRC stays in Croatia for at least 3 years. Great news. @croatia_rally
@OfficialWRC
@voiceofrally
#wrc #croatia @DirtFishRally
@McKlein_Rally

[TypeR]

Sounds interesting!

[AnttiL]

Ogier announced doing WEC season so likely he's not driving Acropolis and Japan. Also Le Mans is only week before Safari Rally so likely he has to skip that.