ERC | Season Opener Fafe uncertain.

January 19, 2021January 19, 2021 Andy Cerc, EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP, FAFE, RALLY

The opening round of the FIA European Rally Championships could be postponed or even cancelled. The Portuguese Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras which is due to open up the 2021 ERC on 12th-14th March now looks to be of concern for ERC promoters Eurosport Events. Cases of the COVID-19 virus have been rising throughout January in Portugal and the Portuguese government in its constant fight against the global pandemic have recently increased their restrictions which is leading to an uncertain landscape for the rally. Currently, It is believed that…

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WRC | PREVIEW | RD1 | MONTE CARLO RALLY 2021

January 18, 2021January 19, 2021 adminMONTE CARLO, rallye monte carlo, WRC

It has been an arduous journey for all involved in the Monte Carlo Rally this year. Through a relentless and enduring few months filled with issues and challenges caused by the global COVID-19 Pandemic and for some, the added logistical issues navigating Brexit also. The Rally Monte Carlo 2021 is finally all go now following the organisers, The Automobile Club De Monaco obtaining the final nod from the Hautes-Alpes department last Friday. With its shortest route ever in the history of this world-famous and legendary event; and with the addition…

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ARCTIC LAPLAND RALLY 2021

January 16, 2021January 17, 2021 adminARCTIC RALLY LAPLAND, ARCTIC RALLY WRC, WRC

The 56th Arctic Lapland Rally became even more of an interest outside of the Finnish national rallying community this year, simply because of the speculation (which later become true in the run-up to the event) surrounding the possibility of an Arctic Rally replacing the cancelled Rallye Sweden in the FIA World Rally Championships calendar. Because of this, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT had the foresight to enter their long-standing test driver Juho Hänninen in a works Yaris; in the hope that it would give them the edge over their rivals in…

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PREVIEW | ARCTIC RALLY LAPLAND 2021

January 12, 2021January 17, 2021 adminARCTIC RALLY LAPLAND, RALLY

An Arctic adventure awaits the 120 competitors who face more than 200 kilometres of snowy icy roads and sub-zero temperatures in the wilderness of the Arctic Circle. The 56th Arctic Lapland Rally 2021 starts on Friday afternoon from the host town of Rovaniemi, Finland; consisting of 3 stages on Friday followed by a further 4 on Saturday in the winter wonderland of Lapland. When looking back over the history of this event, it has some impressive names on the books. Since its conception in 1966 the rally has been won…

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THE SHORTEST MONTE IN HISTORY GETS SHORTER + ENTRY LIST PUBLISHED

January 11, 2021January 17, 2021 adminMONTE CARLO, RALLY, WRC

Further alterations have been made to the Monte Carlo-Rally which is due to take place in the coming week (21st – 24th January), as the opening round of the 2021 FIA World Rally Championships. The accepted entry list has also been published which includes 84 competitors. In addition to the schedule changes that were detailed back in December following the restrictions to the area relating to COVID-19. The Automobile Club De Monaco have faced further challenges with the new tighter restrictions and curfews of 18:00 hrs – 06:00 hrs, which…

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Citroën Racing has formally welcomed Eric Camilli

January 9, 2021January 17, 2021 adminERIC CAMILLI, RALLY2, WRC, WRC2

Citroën Racing has formally welcomed Eric Camilli to its 2021 FIA World Rally Championship WRC2 Campaign. However for the 2021 season Citroën Racing has entrusted its brand and product to be operated by Portuguese outfit Sports&You. The team will represent Citroën Racing with the young Frenchman piloting the C3 Rally 2 from The Monte-Carlo Rally which is hoped will still run between 18th-24th January. Sports&You was not so much an obvious choice for us given the history and relationship that PH Sports has with Citroën. This announcement also leaves us…

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RALLYE SWEDENS FUTURE INTO 2022 UNCERTAIN

January 9, 2021January 17, 2021 adminRALLYE SWEDEN, WRC

Following on from a trepid rally in 2020 where Rallye Sweden only just ran by the skin of its teeth due to the lack of Snow, Ice and Wintery conditions; it was then hit again for 2021 by the global pandemic of COVID forcing its cancellation. But now local Swedish news SVT are reporting the future of the event and its return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2022 is also a concern for the Swedes. The Swedish Association for Motorsport (SBF – Swedish Automobile Sports Federation) owns a…

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SOLBERG SIGNS UP FOR ARCTIC SHAKEDOWN

January 8, 2021January 17, 2021 adminARCTIC RALLLY LAPLAND, OLIVER SOLBERG, WRC

Having recently taking delivery of his new R5 i20, Hyundai’s latest recruit Oliver Solberg will put it to work at the Arctic Lapland Rally (14th-16th January). This move is adding to the factory teams taking the potential of another Arctic Winter Rally assuming Sweden’s vacant WRC spot seriously. Photo: Oliver Solberg

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NEWS FROM THE ARCTIC

January 8, 2021January 17, 2021 adminARCTIC RALLLY LAPLAND, RALLY, WRC

Local Finnish news are reporting that the decision on a possible Arctic Winter Rally replacement for Sweden’s slot in the WRC is due to meet its deadline next Wednesday 13th January. Both budget and the levels of COVID-19 are the considerations here. Reported new cases of COVID remain a constant each day and have not spiked significantly over the past few weeks, but a close eye is to be kept on the numbers. The 56th Arctic Lapland rally which is to take place soon (14th-16th Jan) with approx. 120 competitors…

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HANNINEN ENTERS ARCTIC LAPLAND RALLY FOR TOYOTA RECCIE

January 7, 2021January 17, 2021 adminJUHO HANINEN, TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT, WRC

Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Test driver Juho Hanninen will contest the Arctic Lapland Rally (14th-16th Jan) in a works Toyota Yaris. This will enable the team to obtain much valuable data should another Arctic Winter Rally replace Sweden’s empty slot on in the WRC in February or March. PHOTO: JUHO HANNINEN / TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT