2020 WRC plans unravel as tyre tender looms

News that Chile has decided not to run their allocated World Rally Championship event, scheduled for 16-19 April 2020, comes as a further disappointment to the WRC Promoters’ plans for the 2020 WRC season.

This late decision from Chile leaves no chance for a viable substitute event to be held. 

Not only the number of WRC teams has been reduced in 2020 from four to three, the number of WRC events in 2020 reverts from 14 down to 13. 

The main problem for Chile is that the rally will come at an intense national political time, with disturbances already reported in the country with impending elections next year.

Why the WRC Promoter has allowed the 2020 calendar issues still to remain unresolved, having earlier delayed the announcement of the calendar long after being required to tender their recommendations. 

Thrown into question is the wisdom of promoting long haul rallies at the expense of established European rallies. 

The World Motor Sport Council is due to meet next week to consider the WRC position, also to announce the result of the WRC tyre tender for the years 2021 – 2023, in which Michelin, Pirelli, MRF and Hankook have expressed interest.

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