Rallying has had a rocky path over the last few years. Despite hybrid regulations for the top Rally1 class in the WRC, designed to attract new manufacturers to the sport, there are still only works entries from Toyota and Hyundai, with M-Sport flying the flag for Ford. Rally1 cars are thin on the ground, though the Rally2 class is in considerably ruder health.
There haven’t been any firm decisions made on the future direction of the technical regulations in the top class, including whether the troublesome hybrid systems will be retained. And while other areas of motorsport appear to be booming, rallying seems to be stuck in the doldrums.
It is against this backdrop that the FIA has formed a new working group to try to address rallying’s issues, led by FIA deputy president for sport Robert Reid, and World Motor Sport Council member and head of Motorsport UK David Richards.
The working group will address the technical, sporting and promotional aspects of the FIA World Rally Championship. It will also look at the pathway for grassroots development of rallying. The FIA stated that an initial working paper will be presented for consideration by the WMSC and WRC Commission within two weeks.
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