WRC3
Category | Group Rally3 |
---|---|
Country | International |
Inaugural season | 2020 |
Tire suppliers | P |
Drivers' champion | Lauri Joona |
Co-Drivers' champion | Enni Mälkönen |
Official website | www |
Current season |
World Rally Championship |
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Current season |
Last complete season |
Support categories |
|
Current car classes |
Related lists |
The FIA WRC3 is a support championship of the World Rally Championship.[1] The calendar consists of the same rallies and stages as the parent series and crews usually compete immediately after WRC2 entrants. Entry into WRC3 is limited to cars that are based on production models and homologated under Group Rally3 rules, although prior to 2022 Group Rally2 cars were used.[2][3][4] There are championship titles awarded to drivers and co-drivers. The current format of the series began in 2020.
History
The original incarnation of the series began in 2013 and was open to two-wheel drive cars competing under Group R1, R2 and R3 regulations.[5] It ran until 2018 before it was cancelled when all WRC championships became four wheel drive with the exception of Junior WRC.[6]
The 2019 season saw the running of two championships in support of the World Rally Championship. These were known as WRC 2 Pro for professional crews and manufacturer teams, and WRC 2 for privateers. However, this multi-class structure was found to be too confusing, with customer drivers in WRC 2 Pro whilst manufacturer teams were unofficially supporting WRC 2 entries.[7] The categories were renamed again and the WRC3 name was revived in 2020. Professional crews would now contest WRC2 whilst privateers would contest the WRC3 where teams were not allowed to enter.[7] Stricter rules on entry eligibility were introduced in 2021 clarifying the line between professional and privateer.
In March 2021 the FIA announced that from the 2022 season WRC3 would be a Group Rally3 car based championship with Open and Junior category titles.[2] These two categories were reduced to just one WRC3 title for Drivers and Co-Drivers in 2023.
The 2022 FIA WRC3 Junior category consisted of Junior WRC, an arrive-and-drive style format competition organised by M-Sport. Crews born on or after 1 January 1993 registered for the championship and contested up to 5 rallies as set by M-Sport using Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars provided. This category was replaced by the restored FIA Junior WRC in 2023.
Rules
In 2023, WRC3 entries can be made in the name of the driver or competitor. Other than the use of Rally3 cars, there are no restrictions on entry eligibility. Crews can compete in any rally on the WRC calendar but must nominate beforehand any rally that will count towards their WRC3 championship up to a maximum of 5 rounds, with the best 4 results contributing to the championship points tally.
Power Stage points also contributed during the 2021 season but were removed for the following season.[4]
Results
Drivers' Championship
Co-Drivers' Championship
References
- ^ "2023 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP – SPORTING REGULATIONS" (PDF).
- ^ a b "FIA Announces World Motor Sport Council Decisions". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "WRC3". WRC - World Rally Championship. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ a b "2021 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP – SPORTING REGULATIONS" (PDF).
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Exciting changes for 2013 WRC". WRC.com. WRC Official Website. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ "FIA announces World Motor Sport Council decisions". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ a b Evans, David (8 October 2019). "FIA steps up plan to simplify WRC into five-tier career ladder". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
External links
- Official website (in English, French, and Spanish)