Quote Originally Posted by KiwiWRCfan View Post
Yes it does feel like an off season again.
We need to assess the calendar gap with expectations and available knowledge at time calendar was set. To set events to later months was in my opinion a smart decision at the time. They were difficult decisions in a pandemic hit world. Hopefully situation continues to improve with more certainty for people everywhere. Setting of next years calendar should be easier.
very good point Gary, definitely they must have thought about COVID as one factor. Remember in 2020 they had to cancel all rallies from March to July and people were here mocking FIA for not getting any rallies organized although in the end the situation turned out better for the summer. In 2021 we had a similar calendar as now with emphasis on the summer dates and it worked. Monte Carlo struggled with tight restrictions and Sweden was canceled altogether, as was Japan.

Another thing is that it's not that simple to make rallies change their dates. The hole is effectively left by Mexico, which is still off the calendar for COVID reasons(?). And furthermore, if Mexico makes it to next year's calendar, they won't have to do further arrangements.

They could have moved Portugal to March, but it's supposed to be a "linked" rally with Sardinia, so they would have to move both, and I'm sure both events benefit from a summer data in terms of spectators and road conditions (remember how ERC Fafe had to cancel stages a week ago)