WRC Calendar 2023

[Eli]

So is there really only two tarmac events next season? Croatia and Japan? What a joke that would be.

I'd lose Estonia and Sardinia before losing any more tarmac events. In a 14 round championship you'd at least want 4 tarmac events surely.

To no one's surprise, Rally GB in Northern Ireland won't take place next year as they didn't get the funding: https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/u...sses/10360922/

"Germany is among the new candidates in the mix to secure a spot on the calendar. The tarmac event made its WRC debut in 2002 and had been mainstay on the schedule, before hosting its last WRC round in 2019."

I was sure Germany out of the running for next year, glad to see it isn't.

This was published just 3 weeks ago so hopefully we do get an August slot for another tarmac event, and if they do at the end decide to have NZ in August, hopefully we'll have the 3rd (real) tarmac event in October like we have for the past 20 odd years? (excluding 2020 of course).

[WRCStan]

This was published just 3 weeks ago so hopefully we do get an August slot for another tarmac event, and if they do at the end decide to have NZ in August, hopefully we'll have the 3rd (real) tarmac event in October like we have for the past 20 odd years? (excluding 2020 of course).

Saudi! Can't rule it out given the talk. Maybe even move Japan into summer for spectators' benefit and finish in KSA. ?

Germany has been missing for a few years, what's different now that puts it in the running?

[Eli]

Saudi! Can't rule it out given the talk. Maybe even move Japan into summer for spectators' benefit and finish in KSA. ?

Germany has been missing for a few years, what's different now that puts it in the running?

"Germany is among the new candidates in the mix to secure a spot on the calendar. The tarmac event made its WRC debut in 2002 and had been mainstay on the schedule, before hosting its last WRC round in 2019."
That was from the Autosport article I attached, whether it will happen or not, I find that hard to believe, with so many events outside of Europe fighting for a spot, they'll have to drop at least one European event to achieve 14 rounds.

If I had to guess, they'll drop Catalunya & instead we'll have Japan in it's October slot with Saudi Arabia 2 months later in December. So it will go something like:
Monte Carlo, Sweden, Mexico, Croatia, Chile, Portugal, Sardegna, Kenya, Estonia, Finland, NZ, Greece, Japan, Saudi Arabia.

Hopefully I'm wrong and we'll get to keep one of our current tarmac (August/October) slots, whether it's Germany, Spain or another. Would be horrendous to have 3 (ish) tarmac events out of 14, they did that in the past (2009 comes to mind) and they quickly took a U-turn with it, hope this won't be the case here but this is the FIA & promoter we're talking about, making logical or clever decisions isn't exactly at the top of their priorities to put it lightly.

[flat_right]

There was a regular pre event rally podcast where they had one of the Rally Estonia's organizer there and looking at the body language when they asked about the dates of next year rally, then I feel quite positive that it will happen. Of course he couldn't say anything but there wasn't anything like we are not sure about the funding etc. Looked like he really wanted to say and confirm

[EstWRC]

There was a regular pre event rally podcast where they had one of the Rally Estonia's organizer there and looking at the body language when they asked about the dates of next year rally, then I feel quite positive that it will happen. Of course he couldn't say anything but there wasn't anything like we are not sure about the funding etc. Looked like he really wanted to say and confirm

He basically confirmed it TBH.

They were pressing the dates out of him but he didn’t say. That was quite funny part

[Eli]

Speaking of the devil(s): https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/r...slot/10375708/

Not only we're getting Saudi Arabia for next year (if we're to believe the rumours) but now also NZ is out, probably didn't have enough cash to bribe the FIA.

Now left with 5 fly-away events, apparently South America is in the mix, I wonder which European event will come instead, hope it's a good one and not Latvia or something like that.

[er88]

Real shame losing NZ before it's had the chance to put on a proper itinerary. Hopefully it will be back every few yrs at least on a rotational basis.

I liked 2019 when they had Chile and Argentina back to back. Both rallies have fantastic stages and scenery, hugely passionate fanbases and Argentina had the history. Guess it's just Chile for next year though.

Return of Germany for the extra European round? Otherwise the FIA might have to backtrack and keep Spain or Ypres (which I'd much rather than some other new gravel rally or a return to somewhere like Cyprus)

[AndyRAC]

Losing NZ is just poor management.....And just proves what we already knew - all they care about is $$$$$$$.
The sport is going nowhere with these idiots in charge.

[Eli]

Real shame losing NZ before it's had the chance to put on a proper itinerary. Hopefully it will be back every few yrs at least on a rotational basis.

I liked 2019 when they had Chile and Argentina back to back. Both rallies have fantastic stages and scenery, hugely passionate fanbases and Argentina had the history. Guess it's just Chile for next year though.

Return of Germany for the extra European round? Otherwise the FIA might have to backtrack and keep Spain or Ypres (which I'd much rather than some other new gravel rally or a return to somewhere like Cyprus)

I seriously hope we'll get another tarmac event, but at this rate, we'll see a rally in Qatar, or Latvia seeing they're so keen being in the calendar.

[TypeR]

Losing NZ is just poor management.....And just proves what we already knew - all they care about is $$$$$$$.
The sport is going nowhere with these idiots in charge.

NZ has awesome roads, but very expensive to travel there + so short startlist(like Kenya)