AUSTRALIA DROPPED FROM 2021 WRC CALENDAR
Australia will not host a round of the World Rally Championship in 2021 following the release of the FIA approved calendar for 2021.
By RHYS VANDERSYDE
After being listed on the provisional schedule released back in June, Rally Australia did not make the cut on the heavily revised calendar announced by the sports governing body overnight.
Following the impact of COVID-19 and related travel restrictions, which are expected to flow on into next year, organisers have opted to focus on a predominantly European schedule with just three long-haul events (Kenya, Chile, and Japan) of the twelve listed.
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said the decision was understandable.
“We have been in regular discussions with the WRC promoter and the FIA about the plans for 2021 and while it is unfortunate that Australia cannot be on the calendar next year, we understand the rationale behind the decision,” said Arocca.
“In the very short term, our focus will be on the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship, but we will also continue to work with both the WRC promoter and the FIA about hosting an Australian round in 2022 at a location to be confirmed.
“Despite this news, Motorsport Australia is still hopeful of hosting some international level rally events, with the regional FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) likely to feature at upcoming RSEA Motorsport Australia Rally Championship events in 2021.”
2021 World Rally Championship Schedule
24 January 2021 | Monte Carlo |
14 February 2021 | Sweden |
25 April 2021 | Croatia |
23 May 2021 | Portugal |
6 June 2021 | Italy |
27 June 2021 | Kenya |
18 July 2021 | Estonia |
1 August 2021 | Finland |
22 August 2021 | United Kingdom |
12 September 2021 | Chile |
17 October 2021 | Spain |
14 November 2021 | Japan |
Additionally, the FIA announced that events in Turkey, Latvia, Belgium, Argentina, Greece and Italy (Monza) could be run as alternative “contingency events” in the perspective of on-going COVID-19 related issues.
The FIA also announced that this year’s World Rally Championship would conclude in Italy with the Monza Rally on December 4-6.
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