RALLY AUSTRALIA SET TO RETURN IN 2021
Rally Australia set to return in 2021 – Photo: LAT
World Rally Championship is set to return to Australia following the release of the provisional 2021 schedule.
By RHYS VANDERSYDE
Australia was amongst nine countries confirmed by FIA to be hosting WRC rounds next year following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.
The provisional schedule, that is expected to have more rounds added, did not list dates for the 2021 events but did confirm that Spain would also return after being dropped in 2020.
Finland, Portugal and Kenya are also scheduled to be run after being cancelled this year due to COVID-19 related restrictions. New Zealand however, which took Australia’s place on this years calendar, hasn’t been listed to return in 2021 at this stage.
The FIA did confirm that Rally Australia would be hosted in a new location next year.
Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales mid-north coast had hosted the event from 2011 until the bushfire emergency-related cancellation of the 2019 event. It’s believed that competitors had wanted Rally Australia hosted closer to one of the major cities.
Provisional 2021 WRC Schedule
| 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 2019 1 |
| Italy | Gravel | WMSC confirmed in 2019 |
| Japan | Tarmac | WMSC confirmed in 2019 |
| Australia 2 | Gravel | WMSC confirmed in 2019 1 |
1. Subject to Event Promoter Agreement
2. New location, same organiser
The FIA also outlined two cost-saving measures for the remainder of the current WRC season to help teams weather the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has seen a number of events cancelled.
Pre-event testing will be limited to a single day per manufacturer-affiliated driver for each Europe-based event. While limitations on engines have also been reduced should the current season end up with fewer than eight events, to only two.
For more of the motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.
