Several European rallies could join the 2020 calendar

After the recent cancellations of the Safari Rally, Finland and of Great Britain faced with the uncertainties linked to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 calendar of WRC could find itself reduced to only the rounds planned in Turkey, Germany and Japan.

Three rallies which would be added to Monte-Carlo, Sweden and Mexico contested at the start of the year but which would clearly not offer a calendar worthy of a world championship.

To remedy this lack of dates, the WRC promoter is looking for new solutions centered on the European continent, largely for logistical reasons and thus avoiding costly travel.

“We are looking at all options, comments Oliver Ciesla, responsible for promoting the WRC, interviewed by Swedish media SVT Sport. We look at what dates are available and how long it takes to change locations. Logistics is a fairly limiting element for our championship, which is why we are looking at solutions in Europe.

We must also ensure standards for our championship. Security is a priority target and limits the solutions a little. These may be events which have experience gained from having taken part in the European Rally Championship ERC currently or in the past.

Or events that have already been in contact with us, as we watched them as potential candidates for the WRC, events that have experience as rally promotional.

We have already identified a certain number of challenges, and you will not be surprised that discussions have already started with them to see as quickly as possible what is possible and where the limitations are. »

Oliver Ciesla thus cites Estonia, which has become a partner rally of the WRC, and placed as a preparation for Finland, and which can count on the attraction exerted by the reigning world champion Ott Tänak.