WRC greats to assess rallying’s future direction
- 6th December 2023, 8:52am
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by RallySport Magazine
- Photos by Martin Holmes
Motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, has taken heed of criticism from some of rallying’s leading competitors regarding the future direction of the sport.
Fresh from news that rallying’s two-time world champion, Kalle Rovanpera, will contest only a part program of WRC rallies next year, a working group has been established to evaluate and recommend the direction the sport takes.
The Working Group will be led by FIA Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid and World Motor Sport Council member David Richards.
Both men are former WRC co-driving champions, Reid with Richard Burns, and Richards with Ari Vatanen.
Richards is also a former owner of the commercial rights of the championship.
“Under consideration will be the technical, sporting and promotional aspects of the FIA World Rally Championship. The group will also address the pathway for grass roots development of rallying,” the statement said.
“An initial working paper will be presented for consideration by the World Motor Sport Council and WRC Commission within two weeks.”
Recent comments from leading WRC drivers Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak about the future of the WRC have no doubt hastened the formation of the working group.
