IRC: Calendar tweaked for 2007.

The organisers of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge revealed a slightly revised calendar for 2007 this week at the Motor Show in Bologna.

Although there will still be nine rounds, the Rally of Turkey and the Rally of Russia have both been given revised dates, the former moving from October to May, while the latter shifts from May to July. In total four events will be on gravel - namely the Safari Rally, the Rally of Turkey, the Rally of Russia and the Rally China - while the other five events will take places on asphalt. For both driver and manufacturer awards, the best seven results will be taken into account.

President of SRW events, Jacques Behar is confident the series will grow and reckons the TV coverage on Eurosport will be unparalleled, with live and highlight programmes planned: "All the ingredients are there for an opening season made of nine breathtaking events. We are very proud to have such an impressive calendar for 2007 and to see the interest of major car manufacturers' such as Fiat and Peugeot," he noted.

"Thanks to the live transmissions, we will bring the viewers a unique dimension, showing the atmosphere of rallies and getting closer to the drivers'. All of this will make watching rally on television more exciting and accessible than ever for the TV viewers."

The revised IRC schedule for 2007 is as follows:

2007 Intercontinental Rally Challenge calendar:

9-11 MarchSafari Rally Africa
11-12 MayRally of Turkey Turkey*
22-23 JuneYpres Westkhoek Rally Belgium
13-14 JulyRally of Russia Russia*
2-4 AugustRally Vinho da Madeira Portugal
24-26 AugustBarum Rally Zlin Czech Republuc
28-30 SeptemberRally San Remo Italy
25-27 OctoberRally du Valais Switzerland
23-25 NovemberRally China China#

# denotes TBC - pending ASN confirmation.
* denotes date change.