FIA bans WRC/GpA cars from regional rally championships (updated)

[racer69]

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from www.worldrallynews.com

WRCs - 6 months to enjoy them in the regions
June 26, 2002

The FIA World Council decided today that World Rally Cars and turbocharged 4 wheel drive Gp A cars will be prohibited from FIA Regional Championship rallies from January 1st 2003.

It is understood that the FIA Rallies Commission suggested that the prohibition should commence in 2005, but the World Council did not share this view, bringing the ban forward to just six months away.

There has been growing concern at the escalating costs of competing in regional events with WRCs, but it is unclear what will replace the cars in the major regional series next year. It is thought unlikely that front runners, used to running WRCs, will be keen to move to Junior cars, so the leading Group N suppliers could be in line for a bonus year.

The move has serious negative implications for the many small teams and privateers who have a significant investments in these cars. The European, Middle East and Asia Pacific series attract the majority of their entries from owners of this these machines.

The move also restricts the ability of a number of the World Championship teams to earn useful income by building WRCs for well heeled regional drivers.
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Who's brilliant idea was this.

Apart from national series, where can teams now train younger drivers in WRC cars without the pressure of World Championship events, and as Malcolm Wilson said, this will add to budget's, causing more problems, not less.