WRC Calendar History XI: 2011-2013

The years 2011 – 2013 were saw the calendar becoming more persistent after two years of rotation. However, new experimental rules were again introduced and the event schedules were more free than before.

Route Preview: Rally Sweden 2022

After a few low-snow rallies in Värmland, Sweden decided to relocate their event higher North, to Umeå, where snow should be guaranteed in February. Thus, it’s a new rally for everyone. The character of the roads is now slightly different – the straights are longer, narrow houseyards more frequent, forest paths smaller and spectator-designated sections […]

Route Preview: Rallye Monte Carlo 2022

This year Rallye Monte Carlo has relocated from Gap to Monaco, and all the stages are run relatively near the principality. This has resulted in dusting off many stages that haven’t been used in years, making them mostly new to the current drivers. The route is also likely slower and more technical than ever, as if the new cars wouldn’t pose enough of a challenge!

Parc Ferme time

It’s time to drive the blog into the Parc Ferme for a while. It grinds to a halt for a while, but it will get faster again.

Route Preview: Rally Catalunya 2021

Spain’s Rally Catalunya used to be known as the only mixed surface of the series from 2010 to 2019. However, mixed surface events are not allowed anymore so after one year off the Catalunya has returned in all tarmac format, like it was from 1993 to 2009. There’s a few new stages and sections to […]

Route Preview: Rally Finland 2021

Last year’s Rally Finland was another victim of COVID-19 cancellations. This year’s event also got postponed into October to make sure they can run the event with spectators. In turn it means we’ll get a unique darker and moister autumn rally. The route itself packs 287 stage kilometres and the shakedown compactly into two and […]

WRC Calendar History X: 2009-2010

The decline of world economy near the end of the 00’s saw the teams disappearing and FIA responding with a shorter WRC calendar. At the same time, a number of events were rotated – some taking years off, some joining the new IRC series – allowing new countries to join in as well. Mixed surface […]

Route Preview: Acropolis Rally 2021

Greece’s Acropolis Rally used to be one of the roughest and slowest rallies of the season. Acropolis lost its WRC status after 2013 but is now back on the calendar, replacing the cancelled Chile. Like Safari, this year’s Acropolis has been condensed into a compact and modern event with the main characteristics still present.

WRC Calendar History IX: 2004-2008

By 2004 WRC had become very popular with new teams and event organizers. To fit more events, the calendar was expanded, resulting in the longest calendars in the history of the sport. Conversely, a new rule allowed scoing points without completing all stages. New rallies of this era include Mexico, Sardinia and Japan. High on […]

Route Preview: Ypres Rally 2021

The World Rally Championship introduces already its third new event of 2021 in the form of Ypres Rally Belgium. It will have a unique character of fast but narrow countryside roads. However, it will be very tricky with bumps, ditches and muddy cuts as well as numerous surface changes and junction turns. In addition, the […]