13 rounds for 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC)

The calendar for the 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge season has been published. It will feature 13 rounds and will include four new events: the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, Rally San Marino, Sibiu Rally Romania and Rally Sliven in Bulgaria.

Five rounds will take place in the increasingly important Eastern European region, while classics such as Rallye Sanremo and Tour de Corse will again appear on the schedule, which begins for the first time with Sata Rallye Acores and concludes once again with the Cyprus Rally.

Francois Ribeiro, Eurosport Events’ Motorsport Business Director, said: “We are very pleased to have finalised the 2012 IRC calendar during what is a very exciting time for the IRC. With new territories, more gravel rallies, the continued inclusion of some of the sport’s most iconic events, plus the increased use of SimulCam technology in the live television broadcasts, IRC season six is set to be a big hit with the fans, drivers and teams.”

2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge calendar*
Round 1, 23-25 February: Sata Rallye Acores (gravel)
Round 2, 15-17 March: Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Ingles (asphalt)
Round 3, 6-7 April: Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally (asphalt)
Round 4, 11-12 May: Tour de Corse (asphalt)
Round 5, 2-3 June: Canon Mecsek Rallye (Hungary, asphalt)
Round 6, 21-23 June: GEKO Ypres Rally (Belgium, asphalt)
Round 7, 6-7 July: Rally San Marino (gravel)
Round 8, 20-22 July: Sibiu Rally Romania (gravel)
Round 9, 31 August-2 September: Barum Czech Rally Zlin (asphalt)
Round 10, 15-16 September: Prime Yalta Rally (Ukraine, asphalt)
Round 11, 29-30 September: Rally Sliven (Bulgaria, asphalt)
Round 12, 12-13 October: Rallye Sanremo (Italy, asphalt)
Round 13, 2-3 November: Cyprus Rally (gravel/asphalt)

* Subject to FIA World Motor Sport Council approval

Author