Belgium’s Ypres Rally has announced it is leaving the FIA’s European Rally Championship, of which it has been a popular qualifying round since 1998.
Belgium's Ypres Rally will not be a part of the European Rally Championship in 2017.They have stated: “The decision was taken by its leaders after long discussion and disagreement with Eurosport Events, promoter of the championship, with the seal of the FIA.
“The Kenotec Ypres Rally will, by choice of its leaders and alternatively, in addition to the British championship, another novelty, join the Tour European Rally series.”
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The WRC Promoter has announced a number of changes to their WRC+ coverage for next year’s World Rally Championship.
Next year’s content will include: “extended coverage of the victory podium following live screening of Sunday’s rally-closing Power Stage, increased analysis and behind-the-scenes insight, featuring interviews with drivers and experts”.
Most importantly: “additional news content, particularly for the WRC 2 and Junior WRC support categories, with tailor-made programmes for broadcast partners to cover national interests”.
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The Tour European Rally series (TER) 2017 will have six events. The schedule will include Kenotec Rally Ypres (Belgium), Madeira Wine Rally (Portugal), Skoda Rallye Liezen (Austria), Rallye International du Valais (Switzerland), Tuscan Rewind (Italy) and one more event, possibly Rallye d'Antibes (France).
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Mini testing comes first! Mikko Hirvonen has had to renege on his hope to compete on Belgium’s Condroz Rally, because this will coincide with important pre-Dakar test work.
Craig Breen will drive there in his place, in a Citroen DS3 R5. Condroz is run in the home region of Citroen Racing chief Yves Matton.
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Matton was present in Wales with his Citroen Racing deputy, Polish bred Marek Nawarecki, who said he was sad that his country’s Rajd Polski WRC event was not confirmed in the 2017 WRC calendar.
“I hope that Rajd Polski will remain in the WRC calendar. There is also a lot of interest of spectators. I think now we see how important is the experience of the organisers of WRC events in order to have it on a good level.
“I think Rajd Polski has quite a good level. It will be a shame not to have it in the WRC calendar.”
- Martin Holmes
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