Latest WRC rules update

A variety of rule changes are due to take effect in the World Rally Championship for 2017, but very few have been announced – mainly because they haven’t yet been ratified or even decided!  

This is the status quo in the run up to the final round of the 2016 season.
 
1. 2017 WRC Calendar

Although the WRC Promoter set out a list of 14 events in time for the latest WRC Commission meeting on November 2, it is reported that Turkey has delayed their event till 2018.  

This brings the calendar down to 13, with the final decision to be made by the World Motor Sport Council November 30.  The final list, which is being prepared by the WRC Promoter, will be presented to the WMSC for official confirmation in Vienna on November 30.
 
2. 2017 FIA WRC Trophy ("Privateer Cup") for World Rally Cars is approved and draft rules have been prepared.

Same points scoring as in the other support series – every WRC event is eligible, maximum number of rounds to score points is seven, with the best six results to count.
 
3. Rumours that the WRC3 is cancelled for 2017 are wrong.  The series is to continue.
 
4. The proposal that there will be a 5-4-3-2-1 points system for WRC Power Stage remains a proposal which will be presented to the WMSC.
 
5. The WRCC was presented with four possible WRC running order options and preferred the option whereby the only change would be that P1 drivers will start in reverse order on Day 2.  

This will be presented to the WMSC, who will either accept this or leave the system unchanged.
 
6. No decision has been taken about which cars will be used for the 2017 Junior WRC one-type series.  The official tender has not yet been closed.
 
7. A new term is currently being used by the FIA.  A "Yellow Card" is a warning to an event organiser identifying an aspect about their event that must be improved.  

If the warning is not heeded for the following year, an event potentially faces exclusion from the Championship.
 
- Martin Holmes

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