2020 Rally Germany canceled, Sardinia advanced

The World Rally Championship calendar (WRC) 2020 is modified again. The rumors were true and the Rally of Germany will not take place. This decision was taken following the Coronavirus restrictions on gatherings in Germany.

However, the organizers had carried out extensive work to adapt the Germanic event to the complex health situation linked to Covid-19. The rally, scheduled for October 16 to 18, had to be shortened to two days and the cars would only experience the concrete terrain of the Baumholder military zone, behind closed doors. It wasn't enough.

« Over the past weeks we have worked well and constructively with the Saarland Ministry of the Interior, the local authorities and the Bundeswehr in Baumholder, said Thomas Voss, director of ADAC Motorsport. Unfortunately, official requirements do not allow the gathering to take place. 

Even according to the requirements of the Rhineland -Palatinate, a maximum of 350 people are allowed in the military training area under certain conditions (It is not possible). With this number of people, including participants, a world championship round cannot be achieved. Additionally, the Baumholder area has a circumference of approximately 80 km. As an organizer, you cannot guarantee that the site is secure such that people cannot access without authorization and thereby contravene official requirements. »

To compensate for this withdrawal, the Sardinia Rally has been brought forward by three weeks. The island event will take place from October 8 to 11, also in order not to duplicate the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna (Italy) of Formula 1 on the Imola circuit (October 31-November 1).

NEW DATE! @rally_d_italia 2020 6th round of @officialwrc 2020 and will move forward by three weeks to 8 – 11 October.
more info on official website https://t.co/y6f8ezey7B#wrc #jumpinginthedust #rallyitaly #civediamoinsardegna pic.twitter.com/XW63xgVDuI

— Rally ItaliaSardegna (@Rally_d_Italia) August 26

“We have been working hard at ACI to set new dates for Rally Italia Sardegna 2020,” explained Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the person in charge of the Sardinian rally. “It was not easy to find the days that could bring together all the actors we need in Sardinia.

In this very difficult year, the ACI wanted – as we have already demonstrated with the F1 GPs in Monza, Mugello and Imola – to protect national and international motorsport by confirming our competitions. I personally thank the Sardinia region for their support which makes all this possible. »

The route of the Sardinia Rally has also been modified. The first special (Olbia) is canceled. The times of the other special events will be brought forward in order to take advantage of the greater sunshine at this time of autumn.