The WRC and the FIA are eager to supply extra diversified occasion codecs going ahead, which may see extra compact dash occasions and longer endurance rallies grow to be a part of future championship calendars. The flexibleness of occasion codecs was amongst a raft of proposals tabled by the FIA as a part of its imaginative and prescient for the way forward for rallying in February.
To check the waters, Sardinia will trial a dash format this weekend which can see all the occasion accomplished inside 48 hours. Lately WRC occasions comprise 300km or extra in aggressive stage kilometres and may run throughout 4 days. This weekend organisers have compiled a 16-stage 266.12km route, as an alternative of the 19-stage 320.88km gravel street itinerary utilised final yr.
“In comparison with the previous, the race has a extra compact format, it’s an experiment that we have now adopted upon the request of the FIA and the WRC Promoter on the idea of an exemption that Sardinia has obtained, to run and take a look at a extra concentrated occasion format, which may grow to be an choice for different organisers within the close to future, in response to the brand new FIA rules being launched,” defined Tiziano Siviero – former co-driver to 1988-89 world rally champion Miki Biasion – who has set this yr’s course.
What’s the new format?
Below this new format, the rally will start with a shakedown [Ittiri, 2.08km] held on Friday morning at 0801 native time. Crews will then begin the aggressive levels on Friday starting the leg [77.82km] at 1433 native. Friday’s motion will see opponents sort out a loop of two levels [Osilo-Tergu, 25.65km – Sedini-Castelsardo, 13.2km] twice, earlier than heading again to host metropolis Alghero for an end-of-day service.
Saturday will function a extra conventional leg comprising eight levels, totalling 149 kilometres, however they’ll run in a barely completely different format. Just like Friday afternoon, a pair of levels shall be accomplished twice to make up the loop. Commencing at 0741 native, the primary cross via Tempio Pausania [12.03km] and Tula 22.61km shall be punctuated by a 25-minute regroup earlier than the second run.
As an alternative of returning to the Alghero service park, the crews will undertake a 15-minute tyre becoming zone earlier than heading to the afternoon levels. As soon as once more, the sphere will full two passes via a pair of levels specifically [Monte Lerno – Monti di Ala, 25.33km and Coiluna – Loelle, 14.53km]. The day will conclude with a service again in Alghero at 2037 native.
Sunday’s leg is essentially unchanged in comparison with different occasions. 4 levels are scheduled – two passes via Cala Flumini [12.55km] and Sassari – Argentiera [7.10km] – with the rally set to complete at 13:15 native time.
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
What drivers and groups anticipate from the brand new format
The brand new format shall be new for drivers and groups however, regardless of the shorter distance, Toyota workforce principal Jari-Matti Latvala is anticipating Sardinia’s gravel roads to supply simply as powerful a problem as in earlier years.
“It is going to be attention-grabbing to see the brand new extra compact format in motion in Sardinia: will probably be a shorter occasion however not a neater rally, with lengthy days and nonetheless fairly many kilometres, and I feel it may very well be much more thrilling,” stated Latvala.
“Saturday afternoon is very lengthy and difficult with the infamous Monte Lerno stage, and managing the tyres and avoiding the rocks shall be key for achievement.”
M-Sport workforce principal Richard Millener added: “I am wanting ahead to Sardinia and experiencing this new occasion format in real-time, we have now a really compact however action-packed schedule and I am excited to see the way it pans out.”
His primary driver Adrien Fourmaux has likened the occasion to a “dash rally” and believes competitors shall be “very” excessive.
“Sardinia is without doubt one of the rallies I’ve probably the most expertise; we all know it is a tough occasion, a bit smaller in mileage than earlier years, however we all know the competitors shall be very excessive,” he stated.
“It is going to be like a dash rally, and we are going to do our greatest to get the very best end result potential. We at the moment are fourth within the championship, and we wish to be again within the podium locations.”
