A classic calendar for the 2024 JWRC

Published on 24/10/2023 à 16:16

Loïc ROCCI

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A classic calendar for the 2024 JWRC

Will there be a French crew in JWRC 2024 to succeed Laurent Pellier? (Photo: Nikos Katidis/DPPI)

Created in 2001, the JWRC will be renewed in 2024. This formula once allowed the emergence of boys like Sébastien Loeb (winner in 2001), Dani Sordo (2005), Seb Ogier (2008) or Elfyn Evans (2012). It would undoubtedly need to be rethought, but that will wait, because the next edition will start again on the same basis. 5 rounds will be on the program with Sweden (15-18/02), Croatia (18-21/04), Sardinia (30/05-2/06), Finland (1-4/08) which will make its return after 5 years of absence and the Acropolis (5-9/09). As has been the case for several seasons, the closing event will have a coefficient of 2, which often wipes out everything that has been accomplished during the previous months. The system allowing points to be scored for each special stage won, which is a real plus in this competition, will be reproduced. The price will also not vary. The winner of the JWRC will be offered 4 races in WRC2 2025 in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 and Pirelli will provide the tires for these rallies. This last statement remains to be verified, because in 2025 another manufacturer will have a monopoly on WRC. He will certainly have read this constraint in the contract... In 2022, the JWRC reached an important milestone by basing itself on the Ford Fiesta Rally3 which was the first 4×4 in this one-make formula. The objective was to allow drivers to familiarize themselves early with this type of car. So far, this change has not had the expected effects. In 2022 and this year, the numbers were mediocre for a championship which should attract competitors eager to discover the world championship. A season with this Rally3 costs far too much and it turns out that racing on this car is perhaps not the best school before finding yourself in a Rally2. This year, apart from the three drivers who fought for the title, the level was extremely low and it will be interesting to see what William Creighton, the winner, will achieve in WRC2 with the Fiesta. Robert Virves, who was the last to follow this path, had a very complicated year. In terms of numbers, if there will be at least the four FIA Rally Star teams, it is imperative that the list is substantial to restore some credibility to the JWRC.

 

JWRC 2024 Calendar

February 15 – 18 Sweden

April 18 – 21 Croatia

May 30 – June 2 Sardinia

August 1 – 4 Finland

September 5 – 8 Acropolis

 

Loïc ROCCI

Journalist specializing in rallying past, present and future... and with a southern accent

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