Eurosport Events has met organisers of rallies on the existing European Rally Championship and Intercontinental Rally Challenge schedules to submit a provisional calendar to the
FIA for the 2013
FIA ERC season.
With 21 rallies aiming for the 13 available slots, the promoter set out to deliver a calendar that appeals to teams and drivers, without any clashes of dates with the
FIA World Rally Championship and featuring a combination of asphalt and gravel rallies, plus rallies taking place in winter and snow conditions to ensure the ERC offers young drivers a similar challenge to the WRC.
The calendar for the 61st ERC season also had to meet additional criteria including geographical location, heritage, level of public support, national media and competitor interest, plus the sporting spectacle for drivers and fans attending the events and watching on television.
“One month after signing the agreement with the
FIA to build a very strong European Rally Championship, we have been very encouraged by the level of interest from teams and drivers,” François Ribeiro, Motorsport Development Director,
Eurosport Events, who worked in close partnership with ERC Manager, and former international rally driver, Jean-Pierre Nicolas to prepare the schedule, said. “Having so much demand from events is great but consequently means we won't be able to fit them all in the schedule. All the teams we have met called for a calendar that would be logistically affordable given the tough economic conditions in Europe right now.
“Two gravel events in July remain open as we just did not have enough time to finalise discussions with governments in Bulgaria, Romania, San Marino and Turkey which are all good candidates. We are confident the ERC calendar will be very appealing and balanced. It won't be long before we can submit the final draft calendar for
FIA WMSC approval and ratification.
“In parallel, Eurosport Events is working hard developing a new ERC brand identity and website. We expect the level of TV exposure to be even higher than the outstanding coverage delivered for the IRC. We will keep pushing our pioneering live broadcasts. Finally, we are very happy with the outcome of the
FIA Rally Commission meeting in Paris last week where several ERC matters relating to the team championship, tyre regulations, Production Cars and 2WD categories were discussed.”
Provisional 2013 FIA European Rally Championship calendar: 3-5 January
Jännerrallye - Austria Asphalt snow1-3 February
Rally Liepāja-Ventspils – Latvia Gravel snow28-30 March
Circuit of Ireland Rally Asphalt25-27 April
SATA Rallye Açores – Portugal Gravel16-18 May
Tour de Corse – France Asphalt6-8 June
Croatia Rally Asphalt *
27-29 June
GEKO Ypres Rally – Belgium Asphalt11-13 July
TBA Gravel **
25-27 July
TBA Gravel **
30 Aug-1 Sept
Barum Czech Rally Zlin Asphalt27-29 Sept
Rally Poland Gravel10-12 October
Rally San Remo – Italy Asphalt ***
7-9 November
Rallye International du Valais – Switzerland Asphalt* - Subject to ASN confirmation and government approval
** - Subject to discussions with authorities in Bulgaria, Romania, San Marino and Turkey
*** - Pending confirmation of support from Regione Liguria
Reserve eventsRally Islas Canarias-El Corte Inglés
Cyprus Rally