FIA gives World Rallycross green light

Today’s meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Croatia has approved the creation of a FIA World Rallycross Championship.

The official statement (below) issued following the meeting gives outline details of the World championship, the final dates and regulations for which will need to be approved at the December meeting of the WMSC. The FIA European Rallycross Championships will continue to run alongside the World championship, the Supercar championship being revised and run over a shorter five-event schedule (five of the World championship events run in Europe) so as to provide a clear step between national and World. Permanent World championship drivers will not score points in the European championship. All events run in Europe will be part of the World championship and entry to them will be open to all suitably licenced drivers with eligible cars. Super1600 and TouringCar will continue to have their own FIA European championship titles and will race at World events run in Europe.

It is one day short of a year since the FIA confirmed that IMG would be promoter of its rallycross championships. The intention to develop the series to a World championship was always clear, but the move to do that in 2014 represents a faster development than originally anticipated.

The FIA’s statement:

“FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Following the proposal by the Promoter of the FIA European Rallycross Championship, the WMSC has approved the creation of a new FIA World Rallycross Championship from 2014, on the condition the calendar is based on a total of 11 or 12 events, with nine or 10 European events plus one event in Asia or Africa and one event on the American continent.

The formats of the FIA European Rallycross Championships for the support categories, TouringCar and Super1600, are maintained, with the calendar comprising the European events in the World Championship. The format of the European Championship for the flagship category, SuperCar, will be adapted and concentrated over five of the 10 European events in the World Championship. This will also have a specific classification for non-permanent drivers not entered in the entirety of the World Championship.”

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