VW's Competition Director Sven Smeets confirmed in Coffs Harbour before Rally Australia that the concept of releasing 2016 specification Polo World Rally Cars for use by private drivers in the proposed FIA WRC Trophy ("Privateers Cup") is under current discussion.  

2016 spec Polos could be available for use in 2017. (Photo: Peter Whitten)Details of the plan have not been finalised but it is presumed that such a scheme would come with strict conditions, notably that the cars would not be sold but rented.  

The current proposal is that the old rally car Polos would either be placed in museums or scrapped along with the prototype 2017 cars.

Privateer drivers have traditionally performed a vital supporting role in the WRC but till now their contribution to the sport has not been encouraged.

The pressure to provide an opportunity for this sector of the rally entry became urgent when the FIA stated they would not allow non-manufacturer drivers to compete in 2017 specification cars.

- Martin Holmes

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