Super Rally out in WRC overhaul.

The controversial 'Super Rally' system is to be ditched as part of an overhaul of the World Rally Championship.

Following a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris, it was announced that the rule - which allows a competitor who has retired to return to the action with a time penalty for each stage missed - will be replaced by a new system that will still allow drivers to restart a rally but without fighting for points in the final classification.

Instead, bonus points will be awarded to the fastest three drivers on each leg of the event - which means that a driver could retire on the opening day but still pick up six bonus points if he was then fastest through legs two and three.

Other major changes will see a limited number of engines introduced a cost saving measure, while the WRC will follow the lead of F1 by bringing in a single tyre supplier from the start of 2008 - with the decision to be taken after a tender process.

Whoever wins the right to provide the tyres, will have to produce tyres without run-flat foam, a move that will lead to bigger time losses for drivers who suffer a puncture during a stage.

The sight of WRC drivers struggling back to service on three wheels will become a thing of the past after the WMSC announced that it will be forbidden for competition cars running on less than four wheels to be driven on liaison sections while remote servicing will be brought back under restricted conditions.

Driver related changes will see those driving for Manufacturer 1 teams limited to a set number of test days, while drivers of Super 2000 spec cars taking part in the Production Class WRC will be eligible for championship points as of 1 January 2007.

A number of the changes are to be finalised at the next meeting of the World Council, while the FIA technical department is studying the introduction of Biofuel at the earliest opportunity.