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AUSTRALIA DROPPED FROM 2021 WRC CALENDAR

Australia dropped from 2021 WRC schedule - Photo: LAT

By Bruce Williams

Australia dropped from 2021 WRC schedule - Photo: LAT

Australia dropped from 2021 WRC schedule – Photo: LAT

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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