The Central European Rally has come to an end, Thierry Neuville held on to the lead to secure the rally win.
SS15, Bohmerwald 1
Sebastien Ogier kicked off the fourth and final day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. With Ogier posting a time 1.8 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take the stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Evans. Teemu Suninen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Suninen.
SS16, Passauer Land 1
Elfyn Evans claimed the stage win on the sixteenth stage of the Central European Rally. Setting a time 4.6 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the stage. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage 0.4 seconds slower than Katsuta. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS17, Bohmerwald 2
Sebastien Ogier took home the stage win on SS17. Posting a time 3.3 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta on the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS18, Passauer Land 2
Elfyn Evans took home the stage win on the eighteenth and final stage of the Central European Rally. With Evans setting a time 3.4 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Neuville Holds On
Thierry Neuville held onto the rally lead to take his second win of the season. Despite not taking a stage win Neuville ended the rally with a 57.6 second lead over Kalle Rovanperä. However, neither driver was likely pushing on the final day as for Rovanperä he had a championship to secure. While Neuville wanted to win his second of the season.
The third day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville regained the rally lead on the day.
SS9, Schärdinger Innviertel 1
Elfyn Evans kicked off day three of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 1.3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.4 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS10, Mühltal 1
Thierry Neuville topped the 10th stage of the weekend. With the Belgian setting a time 3.8 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Sebastien Ogier finished third on the stage, 6.8 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Ogier. Pierre-Louis Loubet rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS11, Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald 1
Thierry Neuville rounded out the morning loop of the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 2.3 seconds faster than teammate Teemu Suninen to take the stage win. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Suninen. Grégoire Munster set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Munster.
SS12, Schärdinger Innviertel 2
Sebastien Ogier took the stage win on the twelfth stage of the weekend. Setting a time 1.5 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta tied for the fourth fastest time on the stage. With both drivers posting a time 0.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Pierre-Louis Loubet rounded out the top five times on the stage, 4.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä and Katsuta.
SS13, Mühltal 2
Sebastien Ogier also took the stage win on the thirteenth stage of the Central European Rally. Posting a time 0.1 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take his second consecutive stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 3.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS14, Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald 2
Kalle Rovanperä capped off the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Setting a time 0.5 seconds faster than Rally Leader Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 3.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Suninen.
Evans Out
Elfyn Evans championship hopes were on the line this weekend. Now his championship hopes look bleak. This comes after Evans went off the road and crashed into a barn that was stageside. His car looks like it has no significant damage. However, it is now up to the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team mechanics to get the car ready for tomorrow. Evans can still keep the championship battle alive. However, all Rovanperä needs to do now is score 4 points and the championship is his once again. For Evans, a rough event has only gotten worse.
A Cautious Kalle
Kalle Rovanperä spent most of the third day of the Central European Rally being cautious. Rovanperä didn’t take many risks nor was he fully on the pace we’ve come to expect from the youngest champion in WRC history. With Evans seemingly out Rovanperä has nothing to push for. For Rovanperä position doesn’t matter. The only pressure he has at this point is finishing the event. Something that shouldn’t be much of an issue as there are only 4 stages tomorrow.
What To Expect Day Four Of The Central European Rally
The fourth and final day of the first-ever Central European Rally will see drivers contest four stages totalling 67.24 km. With no tire fitting zones or services on the day, drivers will look to preserve their tires for the Powerstage. With Thierry Neuville having a 26.2-second lead over Rovanperä heading into the final day he sits in a somewhat comfortable spot. This is due to Rovanperä likely not pushing as previously mentioned. Ott Tänak seems on track to take the final step of the podium. As he sits nearby a minute and a half behind Rovanperä and 31.1 seconds ahead of Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta could find himself in a battle with Teemu Suninen for fifth. However, from there, nobody is really close enough to one another. Pierre-Louis Loubet will once again be first on the road.
The second day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä took the lead from Thierry Neuville on the day.
SS3, Vlachovo Brezi 1
Kalle Rovanperä started the second day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. With Rovanperä posting a time 1.8 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.1 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS4, Zvotoky 1
Kalle Rovanperä once again took the stage win on SS4. With the championship leader setting a time 10.1 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Elfyn Evans once again finished third fastest on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 4 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS5, Sumavske Hostice 1
Kalle Rovanperä also took the win on the fifth stage of the Central European Rally. With the Fin posting a time 6.4 seconds faster than championship rival Elfyn Evans to win the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 5.6 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.8 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS6, Vlachovo Brezi 2
Elfyn Evans stopped Rovanperä’s dominance with a stage win on SS6. Evans would set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take his first stage win of the day. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.9 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS7, Zvotoky 2
Kalle Rovanperä was back to his ways on the seventh stage of the Central European Rally. With Rovanperä posting a time 8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.9 seconds slower than Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 6.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS8, Sumavske Hostice 2
Thierry Neuville capped the second day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. The Belgian would set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to win the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 10 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.7 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6.4 seconds slower than Ogier.
Rovanperä Dominates
Kalle Rovanperä was at his A-game today. Winning 4 out of the day’s 6 stages and taking a 36.4-second lead over Thierry Neuville into day three. This is ideal for Rovanperä who has a chance to win the championship this weekend. Rovanperä sits 47.2 seconds up on his championship rival Elfyn Evans. All Rovanperä has to do now is hold his lead. This is Rovanperä however and he will likely continue to push tomorrow. As if he didn’t, there may be cause for concern.
Not Again
Esapekka Lappi is once again out of the rally due to an accident. His rally lasted 4 stages longer than it did in Chile earlier this month. However, on SS5 Lappi would go wide on a corner and clip a tree. Flinging his car into a berm and then off the road. His i20 was too damaged to continue. He may rejoin the event tomorrow but it’s looking unlikely.
What To Expect From Day Three Of The Central European Rally
Day three of the Central European Rally will see drivers compete two loops of three stages yet again. This time the loops are shorter, only totalling 54.75 km for each loop. Making the total stage kilometres on the stage 109.50. This time however Kalle Rovanperä won’t be the first on the road. He will be the last Rally1 car to drive the stage. Being the current rally leader is a slight disadvantage for Rovanperä on tarmac. As overtime, the more drivers cut on the stage the more dirt and mud will go out onto the road. Pierre-Louis Loubet will be first on the road as he currently sits last. Then Grégoire Munster second and Teemu Suninen third.
The first day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville leads the rally after the day.
SSS1, Velka Chuchle
Ott Tänak kicked off the Central European Rally with a stage win. Tänak would set a time 0.7 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the opening stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.8 seconds slower than Lappi.
SSS2, Circuit Of Klatovy
Thierry Neuville topped the second stage of the weekend. Posting a time 2.2 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take the rally lead. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Lappi.
Not The Start Evans Was Hoping For
Elfyn Evans is in the pressure zone this weekend. As his championship hopes are on the line. Evans didn’t have the greatest start to the Central European Rally. As he currently sits 8th overall 10.7 seconds behind Thierry Neuville. More importantly, he sits 4.8 seconds behind his championship rival and teammate Kalle Rovanperä. Evans won the last time the WRC had a tarmac event. However, that was all the way back in April. There is a reason why Evans is behind, however. As on SSS2 he overshot a corner and lost time after his brakes locked up. Overall Evans probably doesn’t have much to worry about, however, those 4.8 seconds could be the difference maker in his championship hopes staying alive or ending this weekend.
What To Expect From Day Two Of The Central European Rally
The first full day of the Central European Rally will see drivers face two loops of three stages totalling 60.90 km each loop and 121.80 km total. Kalle Rovanperä will be the first on the road all day long. As he is the championship leader. This isn’t much of an issue for Rovanperä however. As tarmac rallies don’t require sweeping like gravel events do. It also is ideal for Rovanperä on the first run through each stage as over time more mud will be pulled out of corners from drivers cutting. The current forecast says the stages will be wet tomorrow. Which in turn means more mud for drivers to pull out and slicker roads overall.
The Shakedown stage for the Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville set the fastest time on the stage.
Shakedown WRC1
Thierry Neuville topped the shakedown stage for the WRC1 class. Neuville would set a time 1.4 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä. Rally Chile BioBio winner Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the shakedown stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the shakedown stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Evans.
Shakedown WRC2
Yohan Rossel topped the shakedown stage in the WRC2 class. Rossel would post a time 0.8 seconds faster than Adrien Fourmuax. Gus Greensmith finished with the third fastest time on the shakedown stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Fourmaux. WRC2 Championship leader Andreas Mikkelsen set the fourth fastest time on the shakedown stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Greensmith. Nikolay Gryazin rounded out the top five in WRC2 on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.
Stage Interrupted
The shakedown stage was brought to a stop. It was stopped due to emergency traffic needing to get through to a non-rally related emergency. Luckily this didn’t interfere with anyone’s run on the stage or prevent drivers from running the stage.
What To Expect From Day One Of The Central European Rally
Tomorrow (October 26th) marks the start of the first-ever Central European Rally. The event will kick off with two SuperSpecial stages. The first SuperSpecial is 2.55 km long and the second is 8.92km long. Not much will be decided tomorrow. As normally gaps on a SuperSpecial stage are tenths of a second between the top runners. However, with a near 9km stage, it’s possible there will be a couple seconds between the top drivers to end the day. Seconds that could help a driver win the event.
The 2023 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with the twelfth round, the Central European Rally.
Drivers’ Championship Rundown
Kalle Rovanperä remained in the championship after a rough Rally Chile BioBio. Rovanperä managed to only lose two points to Elfyn Evans, who had an equally rough event. Heading into the penultimate round just 31 points separate the two Toyota drivers. The championship has a chance to be handed out this weekend as a result of this 31-point gap. All Rovanperä needs to do to win his second consecutive championship is score equal to or more points than Evans this weekend.
Moving on from the championship contenders to the rest of the top five. Thierry Neuville will likely be looking to close the gap between himself and Evans this weekend. As just 31 points separate the two. Second is the highest Neuville can achieve this season. This weekend may be Neuville’s best chance to close the gap between him and Evans if he wants a chance at second in the championship. As Neuville has won on German tarmac before. Neuville will likely receive pressure from his teammate next season Ott Tänak. As Tänak sits just 9 points behind the Belgian and is likely hungry to get on the podium in the championship. Sebastien Ogier still sits fifth even though he hasn’t driven since Greece. Ogier will return this weekend, however, the only thing he can do is hold position in the championship from Esapekka Lappi who sits just one point behind.
A Newish Experience
This weekend will mark the first-ever Central European Rally. With the event taking place in the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. Some drivers have past experience on German tarmac, however, nobody has experience on it in a Rally1 car. Outside of Pre-event testing of course. Which is something all teams did before the event. As this is the first time tarmac has been seen in the WRC since April for the Croatia Rally. A new rally means it’s hard to know what to expect from every driver. Meaning the ones who are willing to take the risks could be rewarded big time, or have their chances at a win ended abruptly.
World Rally Team Rundowns
Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT
Hyundai sits in a decent spot currently. As the team and drivers have no pressure heading into the weekend. With the manufacturers’ championship being wrapped up in Chile, it takes that weight off the teams shoulders. This will likely allow the team to do some much-needed R&D throughout the event this weekend. It will also allow the drivers to learn the event with a bit less pressure on their shoulders. Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi and Teemu Suninen will drive for the team this weekend.
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
With Toyota wrapping up the Manufacturers championship in Chile it now turns the attention to the Drivers’ Championship. Something Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans are battling for currently. With the Manufacturers Championship out of the way, it’ll give Evans and Rovanperä a bit more breathing room. It’ll also potentially allow them to take more risks if they want to. Joining Rovnanperä and Evans this weekend will be Takamoto Katsuta and 8-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier.
M-Sport Ford WRT
Pressure has been mentioned a lot in these rundowns. However, M-Sport really hasn’t had any pressure in a while. As Tänak hasn’t been competing for wins at the second half of the gravel events. Thanks to retirements or penalties. His first real chance since Rally Italia Sardegna to take a win was Rally Chile BioBio. Which he snapped up the opportunity and won showing he still has it. The Central European Rally will be Tänak’s penultimate event with M-Sport. As the Estonian is going back to Hyundai next season. This weekend will also be Pierre-Louis Loubet’s final event of the season. As Adrien Fourmuax is subbing in for Loubet at Rally Japan. Grégoire Munster will once again join Tänak and Loubet for this weekend’s event.
Kalle Rovanperä will once again have a chance to win the Driver’s’ Championship at the Central European Rally this weekend.
How Rovanperä Can Win
Kalle Rovanperä has a strong chance at taking home his second consecutive Drivers’ Championship this weekend. All Rovanperä has to do is the following to win the championship. Score equal to or more points than Elfyn Evans. Alternatively, if Rovanperä scores 1 point less than Evans he will also win the championship via countback. However, if he wins this way, the championship likely won’t be awarded until Rally Japan.
How Evans Can Stay In The Battle
Elfyn Evans also won’t have the hardest of times stopping Rovanperä from winning the championship this weekend. As all he needs to do is score 2 points more than Rovanperä to remain in the championship race. However, even if Evans scores the 2 points needed to stay in the championship hunt it likely won’t matter. As that will only put Evans 29 points behind Rovanperä. This means Rovanperä will likely win the championship in Japan next month. As at that point the only way Evans could win the championship is if he wins Rally Japan and places second or higher on the Powerstage and Rovanperä retires.
Rovanperä’s To Lose
Given everything previously mentioned, Kalle Rovanperä has practically won the drivers’ championship. There’s about an 80% chance Rovanperä will claim the championship this weekend. Yes, the amount of points Evans needs to stop Rovanperä from winning is slim. However, Rovanperä is head and shoulders the best driver in the championship currently and Evans won’t have an easy time beating Rovanperä this weekend. The battle will come down to experience. Evans has more experience, especially under pressure. While Rovanperä really doesn’t. Evans needs to hope he pressures Rovanperä into a mistake or Rovanperä makes a mistake on his own.
Earlier this week Pierre-Louis Loubet announced his new co-driver for the Central European Rally, find out who it is below.
Who Is It?
Pierre-Louis Loubet goes from an experienced WRC co-driver in Nicolas Gilsoul to a less experienced former WRC co-driver. As Loubet will be joined by Benjamin Veillas for the Central European Rally next weekend. Veillas has a bit of history within the WRC. As he has previously co-driven for Eric Camilli in WRC1 and WRC2. He also spent last season up until Rally Japan co-driving for some guy named Sebastien Ogier. Veillas only has 1 WRC win under his belt and an additional podium. Both with Ogier last season.
A Bit Of History
Veillas started his co-driving career in 1997. He pretty much exclusively did rounds of French rally championships but never found much success in the championships. Nonetheless, in 2015 Veillas got his big break. Joining Eric Camilli in WRC2 for the season. Veillas still co-drives occasionally for Camilli now. The duo found mixed success in WRC2, claiming a handful of podiums and 3 WRC2 event wins. In 2022 Veillas joined Sebastien Ogier for the season. The duo had decent results, finishing top five at all but one event.
Why Did Loubet Choose Veillas?
The exact reason why Loubet chose Veillas will likely remain unknown. However one of the bigger factors as to why Veillas was chosen probably has to do with his nationality. Veillas is French, much like Loubet. In the past, Loubet has had decent results with a French co-driver. Experience likely didn’t play much of a part in why Loubet chose Veillas. However, it doesn’t seem like the Loubet and Veillas partnership will be a long-term thing. As Veillas is 45 and will be 46 in February. While Loubet is 26 and will be 27 in February. Veillas likely isn’t going to co-drive for much longer. Which raises the question of why Loubet chose him. When he could’ve chosen a younger co-driver who’s around his age to build experience with. Much like those before him have. The answer to that question is probably availability. Loubet had to find a co-driver in relatively short notice as far as we are aware. As it’s likely Loubet’s decision to split from Gilsoul came after Rally Chile BioBio, which was less than a month ago.
The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team announced earlier today that Adrien Fourmaux will drive a Rally1 Puma for the team at Rally Japan.
Getting A Chance
Adrien Forumaux will get another chance in a Rally1 car at Rally Japan. Forumaux hasn’t driven a Rally1 car since Rally RACC Catalunya last season. Forumaux and M-Sport decided to cut his season short after the Frenchman had a poor showing all season long. Including 3 retirements due to crashes in the first 5 events of the season. M-Sport called this Fourmaux’s reward for winning the British Rally Championship this season. However, that’s likely just a cover-up for the actual reason Fourmaux is getting the opportunity. As it has been speculated Fourmaux will drive for the team next season in a Rally1 car. Fourmaux may be getting the opportunity in the car in Japan for M-Sport to see if he’s improved. Alternatively, it’ll also be a chance for Fourmuax to get back used to the car before next season.
Filling In For Loubet
Adrien Fourmaux’s opportunity to drive a Rally1 car again comes with a slight catch. As Fourmaux will fill in for Pierre-Louis Loubet whose last event will be the Central European Rally. The decision for Loubet to end the season after the Central European Rally was made after EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. M-Sport and Loubet hope the extended break will allow Loubet to concentrate on getting everything ready for the start of the 2024 season in Monte-Carlo. This may also be the first sign that Loubet will be with M-Sport once again next season. Loubet’s future with M-Sport was in question after the Frenchman started a rumor that the team would leave the WRC next season. However, that rumor was quickly put to bed by the team. M-Sport could roster a team of Loubet and Forumaux as full-time drivers with guys like Grégoire Munster being part-time, among other WRC2 drivers.
Earlier today (October 19th) the World Rally Championship revealed the calendar for the 2024 season. Find out more below.
The Calendar
- Rallye Monte-Carlo 25-28 January
- Rally Sweden 15-18 February
- Safari Rally Kenya 28-31 March
- Croatia Rally 18-21 April
- Vodafone Rally De Portugal 9-12 May
- Rally Italia Sardegna 30 May-2 June
- Orlen 80th Rally Poland 27-30 June
- Tet Rally Latvia 18-21 July
- Secto Rally Finland 1-4 August
- EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 5-8 September
- Rally Chile BioBio 26-29 September
- Central European Rally 31 October-3 November
- Forum8 Rally Japan 21-24 November
New Additions
As previously confirmed Rally Poland and Tet Rally Latvia are being added to the 2024 World Rally Championship calendar. Rally Poland is a returning event that was last run in 2017. While Tet Rally Latvia is making its World Rally Championship debut after being a European Rally Championship mainstay for years. Both events are fast gravel events somewhat like Rally Estonia which has been removed from the 2024 calendar. Rally Poland and Tet Rally Latvia will be part of back-to-back-to-back fast gravel events. With the legendary Secto Rally Finland being the third event.
Taken Off The Calendar
Rally Estonia and Rally Mexico are the only events taken off the 2024 World Rally Championship calendar. Both events were expected to be taken off. As Mexico was known to be a one-off event before it even took place this season. While it was also known Rally Estonia would be absent from the 2024 calendar.
Neither event being absent from the calendar is a surprise. It’s disappointing that two fan-favorite events are taken off the calendar but you can’t always get what you wish for. Rally Mexico has a chance to return in the near future, however, it’s unlikely with a WRC event in the United States seemingly around the corner. As for Estonia, it’ll likely only be a matter of time before the event is back on the calendar. However, it likely doesn’t top the list of events that will return or be added to the calendar in upcoming seasons.
Event Changes
The only major change to the World Rally Championship calendar in 2024 is the time Safari Rally Kenya runs. Since its return to the WRC in 2021 the event has run in June. However, up until 1998, the event ran on Easter Weekend.