Wales Rally returning to season-ending slot

BRITAIN’S round of the world rally championship will return to its traditional season-ending slot, the FIA confirmed yesterday.

Thu, 27 Oct, 2005 - 01:00

Alastair Moffitt

Wales Rally GB was brought forward to September in 2004 in a bid to chase better weather but the world governing body yesterday announced the Cardiff-based event will once again bring the curtain down on the season. An 11-month season will begin on January 20 in Monte Carlo and end on December 3 in Wales.

Other changes see Australia and New Zealand paired at the end of the season, rather than being placed at opposite ends of the schedule.

More significant changes are planned for the 2007 calendar.

As part of the FIA’s desire to change the shape of rallying, the 2007 calendar will feature a maximum of nine rounds, compared to the 16 announced for next season.

That will enable a switch to a football-style season, beginning in August 2007 and ending in May 2008.

Meanwhile, Citroen have confirmed they will return to the world rally championship in 2007 after a one-year sabbatical.

The world champions elect are due to join stablemates Peugeot in withdrawing from the series at the end of this season.

But their absence will be brief after the FIA, the world governing body, yesterday confirmed cost-cutting measures and a radical shake-up in the calendar.

The French team also confirmed their double world champion Sebastien Loeb will remain a Citroen driver even during their one-year absence.

2006 World Rally Championship Calendar:

Jan 20-22 - Monte Carlo Rally

Feb 3-5 - Swedish Rally

Mar 3-5 - Rally Mexico

Mar 24-26 - Rally of Spain

Apr 7-9 - Tour of Corsica

Apr 28-30 - Rally Argentina

May 18-21 - Rally Italy

June 2-4 - Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Aug 11-13 - Rally Germany

Aug 18-20 - Rally Finland