Zoom Working on a new direction for the WRC

The FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) met Wednesday in Paris in order to adress several matters relating to different series, ranging from regulations to calendars.

The following decisions were made in regards to the World Rally Championship, as indicated on the FIA press release:

"The WMSC has directed the FIA to finalise negotiations for the appointment of a central promoter for the World Rally Championship.

From 2010, Group N and S2000 cars will be renamed Superproduction cars. Group R cars will become known as Production cars.

The Cyprus Rally and Rally Poland have been approved for the 2009 calendar following the observers' reports."

The manufacturers involved in the World Rally Championship have been requesting new technical regulations, with the aim of having them implemented for the 2010 season.

The matter was not addressed in the FIA press release issued today, but it seems that an agreement in principle has been essentially reached and that a statement on same might be on the agenda of the next WMSC meeting.

A global promoter for the series will also help in long-term stability. Hopes are that the changes -- which are still being ironed out -- will make the WRC more appealing to other major car manufacturers and encourage them to join Ford, Citroen, Subaru and Suzuki on the world rally scene.

In addition, the WMSC has decided upon next year's PWRC and JWRC calendars, which have also been released:

2009 Production World Rally Championship

15 February   Norway
15 March      Cyprus
5  April      Portugal
26 April      Argentina
24 May        Italy-Sardinia
14 June       Greece
6  September  Australia
25 October    Great Britain

2009 Junior World Rally Championship

1  February   Ireland
15 March      Cyprus
5  April      Portugal
26 April      Argentina
24 May        Italy-Sardinia
28 June       Poland
2  August     Finland
4  October    Spain

Daniel BASTIEN
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