With Australia confirmed, it would seem highly unlikely that New Zealand would get one of those places, which is a crying shame.
Australia can consider itself lucky, despite the FIA sticking to their guns by giving New Zealand a one-off WRC round in 2020, before handing it back to Australia the following year.
For sure, New Zealand have been incredibly unlucky because of the COVID-19 crisis, and if you were keeping things even in the school yard, then NZ would be given that slot in 2021, with Australia being told to wait until every child had their turn.
Rally Australia ran in Coffs Harbour on seven occasions, the first time in 2011. Photo: Peter Whitten
That doesn't appear to be how it works at the top level though.
Just days after the Kiwis had announced their 'test event' later this year, and with the unveiling of a brilliant Power Stage location with wonderful viewing, big jumps and tremendous scenery, the NZ WRC story seems to have ground to a halt.
Back across the ditch, Motorsport Australia still haven't confirmed where the next instalment of Rally Australia will be held, let alone publicly announced that it isn't going back to Coffs Harbour.
There's no test event planned and, to be honest, we aren't even sure that it will be held in New South Wales.
Of course, the smart money says that Rally Australia is headed to Bathurst, offering not only all the facilities already available at the Mt Panorama race track, but a location just three hours from Sydney, which is exactly what the WRC Promoter wants.
It's logical, but perhaps not entirely fair on all parties.
Like it or not, it's a problem that Coronavirus is solely to blame for, and one which neither Rally Australia or Rally New Zealand had any say it.
That the FIA and the WRC Promoter have taken the stance they have is unfortunate.
In a two-horse race there'll always be one winner and one loser. In this case, Australia has won it by a full World Rally Car length.
2021 WRC events confirmed:
Monte Carlo 1
Tarmac
Finland
Gravel
Portugal
Gravel
Sweden
Snow
WMSC confirmed in 2019
Kenya
Gravel
WMSC confirmed in 2019
Spain
Tarmac
WMSC confirmed in 2019Â 1
Italy
Gravel
WMSC confirmed in 2019
Japan
Tarmac
WMSC confirmed in 2019
Australia 2
Gravel
WMSC confirmed in 2019Â 1
1. Subject to Event Promoter Agreement2. New location, same organiser
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