Yes, at the moment there's no real chance that either country will open their borders to Europeans, but what about in the second half of 2021? Nobody knows what the future holds.In the second half of next year's WRC, there are events planned in Estonia, Finland, the UK, Chile, Spain and Japan. In four of those countries, the most recent daily COVID-19 figures are staggering. Japan's is doing the best with 435 new cases, but Chile had 1,776 new ones on October 12, Spain a whopping 12,788, and the UK a mind-numbing 13,972. How can the WRC plan with any certainty that any of those countries will be suitable, or capable, or running a world class event next year?
In comparison, on October 12, Australia had 22 new cases, and New Zealand none.Good planning has seen the WRC schedule six reserve events, just in case any of the 12 rounds are not able to be held. Unfortunately, none of them stack up much better either. Yesterday, Turkey had 1,629 new cases, Latvia 109, Belgium 5,327, Greece 280, Italy 4,619, and Argentina – the reserve Southern Hemisphere event – 10,324. Yes, 10,324 new cases, and that's down from 16,447 on October 7! Are Aussies and Kiwis salty we've missed out? You'd better believe it! NEW COVID-19 CASES AS AT OCTOBER 12 (source: Google)
| 2021 WRC events | New COVID cases |
| France | 8505 |
| Sweden | 569 |
| Croatia | 181 |
| Portugal | 1249 |
| Italy | 4619 |
| Kenya | 271 |
| Estonia | 18 |
| Finland | 42 |
| United Kingdom | 13,972 |
| Chile | 1776 |
| Spain | 12,788 |
| Japan | 435 |
| Not included | |
| Australia | 22 |
| New Zealand | 0 |
| Reserve events | |
| Turkey | 1629 |
| Latvia | 109 |
| Belgium | 5327 |
| Greece | 280 |
| Italy | 4619 |
| Argentina | 10,324 |
Related news:
https://rallysportmag.com/crotatia-the-debutant-on-all-new-2021-wrc-calendar/SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
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