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.

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 […]

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 […]

WRC Calendar History VIII: 1998-2003

The WRC had rebooted itself in 1997 and the format was found successful. The calendar changed mostly only by one event a year, although new events were eager to join in. Rallies started to concentrate their routes on smaller areas, with less service area locations combined with longer stages. Meanwhile, new rules were being experimented […]

WRC Calendar History VII: 1997

The World Rally Championship adopted a new format in 1997. The rotation was abandoned and all rallies were again included in the championship. Now there were fourteen events, and all top drivers would take part in all of them. To compensate this, the rallies were made shorter and some had to adjust their traditional dates. […]

WRC Calendar History VI: 1994-1996

In 1994 the WRC calendar was reshaped drastically. A new rotation rule meant that every WRC event — even the classic ones — would take their turn in having a year off the WRC Calendar within a three-year period. The calendar became shorter, but more competitive. Another big change on service areas would follow a […]

WRC Calendar History V: 1989-1993

During the early 90’s the speed of the cars started growing again, alongside the popularity of the series. Some of the earlier limitations were lifted one by one, and when events couldn’t be made longer by the total distance, endurance aspect was brought in via longer stages. Two new events also made their debut in the series during this era.

WRC Calendar History IV: 1987-1988

After the tragic accidents in Tour de Corse 1986 a lot of changes were imposed quickly. Many of them concerned the routes of the rallies and would change permanently. Some alternate ways were also created to let the big audiences follow the sport safely.

WRC Calendar History III: 1979-1986

The 1979 World Rally Championship started with a new paradigm – drivers’ championship on the side of manufacturers’. The championship conquered a new continent, but towards the end of this era the calendar started to be more stable. Meanwhile stage mileages between rest halts, average speeds and spectator numbers seemed to be growing endlessly, until […]

WRC Calendar History II: 1974-1978

The World Rally Championship didn’t start in easy times. Already on its second year, it was in the middle of a worldwide crisis. After that the calendar seemed to be in constantly changing state as the series was looking for suitable events. The longest events in the history of the series are found from this […]