FIA reveals 2010 WRC calendar

The FIA has revealed that the calendar for the 2010 World Rally Championship season has now been finalised, with 13 events making up the schedule.

Russia and Indonesia had been due to join the WRC next season but both were removed from the calendar earlier this year having failed to pass FIA inspections. As a result, the only new event on the calendar next season will be Rally Bulgaria in July - the only event on the calendar due to finish on a Saturday.

With the FIA having implemented a rotation system when it comes to choosing events, only four events seen on the 2009 calendar will return next season, with the calendar issued following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council including Rally de Portugal, Rally Finland, Rally de Espana and Rally GB - although it remains to be seen where the latter is held following the dispute that has developed this season with the Welsh Government.

With Monte Carlo again missing from the WRC calendar, the season will start in Sweden before heading outside Europe for the events in Mexico and Jordan. A quick return to Europe for Rally Turkey will be followed by the return of Rally New Zealand, which will include a series of stages north of Auckland which were last used back in 2005 after the decision was taken to move the event back to its spiritual home.

Rally Portugal will be followed by a mid-season break before events in Bulgaria, Finland, Germany and Japan, with the final three European events in France, Spain and GB completing the season.

Due to changes proposed earlier in the season, events in 2010 can run for anything from two to four days, with decisions for individual rallies to be taken by event organisers.

As a result, the date shown for each event below is the Sunday, aside from Bulgaria.

The calendars for the PWRC, JWRC and new WRC Cup are shown below, but are subject to ratification by the World Motor Sport Council later in the year.

2010 FIA World Rally Championship calendar:

14 FebruarySweden
7 MarchMexico
4 AprilJordan
18 AprilTurkey
9 MayNew Zealand
30 MayPortugal
10 JulyBulgaria (Saturday finish)
1 AugustFinland
22 AugustGermany
12 SeptemberJapan
3 OctoberFrance
24 OctoberSpain
14 NovemberGreat Britain

Remaining calendars subject to World Motor Sport Council ratification

2010 FIA Junior World Rally Championship calendar:Five out of six events to count

18 AprilTurkey
30 MayPortugal
10 JulyBulgaria (Saturday finish)
22 AugustGermany
3 OctoberFrance
24 OctoberSpain

2010 FIA Production World Rally Championship calendar:Six out of nine events to count, including at least two outside Europe

14 FebruarySweden
7 MarchMexico
4 AprilJordan
9 MayNew Zealand
1 AugustFinland
22 AugustGermany
12 SeptemberJapan
3 OctoberFrance
14 NovemberGreat Britain

2010 WRC Cup (for S2000 teams):Seven out of ten events to count, including at least two outside Europe

14 FebruarySweden
7 MarchMexico
4 AprilJordan
9 MayNew Zealand
30 MayPortugal
1 AugustFinland
22 AugustGermany
12 SeptemberJapan
3 OctoberFrance
14 NovemberGreat Britain

2010 Pirelli Star Driver Programme:

4 AprilJordan
30 MayPortugal
1 AugustFinland
22 AugustGermany
3 OctoberFrance
14 NovemberGreat Britain