24 Jun 09

FIA maps out the future of the WRC

At its meeting in Paris today the FIA World Motor Sport Council made a number of crucial decisions regarding the future of the World Rally Championship and the cars which will contest it.

Engines
Technically, the biggest news is that from 2011 World Rally Cars will be powered by a 1600cc turbo engine instead of the current 2000cc turbo unit. This decision overturns one made earlier this year which stated that World Rally Cars would be powered by a normally aspirated 2000cc engine in 2011, with a proposed switch to a 1600cc turbo engine in 2013.

The FIA said the date for introduction of the 1600cc engine had been brought forward to bring it in line with the units used in the cars on sale to the public.

Rally format
Along with two-litre engines, the familiar three day WRC rally format could be on the way out too, with the FIA giving rally organisers more flexibility to evolve the character of their events to create what the FIA terms a 'unique flavour'. Rallies may be run over two, three or four days, but must finish on a Saturday or Sunday.

Mixed surface rallies
Also announced were new regulations concerning mixed surface rallies. Following this year's asphalt and gravel rally in Cyprus, there's now the prospect of rallies switching between loose and sealed surfaces on the same special stage. "To increase the spectacle there will be freedom to mix asphalt and gravel surfaces either within a stage or within the itinerary of a day," read a statement from the FIA.

WRC Cup
A new ‘WRC Cup’ for Super 2000 cars will be incorporated into the World Rally Championship in 2010. Teams must register and contest at least seven nominated rounds, including at least one outside Europe. Conditions for registration will be finalised later.

2010 Calendar
Finally, the FIA published the latest version of the 13-round 2010 World Rally Championship Calendar. Bulgaria's inclusion is still subject to a satisfactory report from the FIA observer’s at this year's event (17-19 July).

14 Feb: Sweden
07 Mar: Mexico
04 Apr: Jordan
18 Apr: Turkey
09 May: New Zealand
30 May: Portugal
11 July: Bulgaria*
01 Aug: Finland
22 Aug: Germany
12 Sept: Japan
03 Oct: France
24 Oct: Spain
14 Nov: Great Britain