Recce Changes, 16 Rounds in 2004

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GilesGuthrie

GilesGuthrie

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The FIA has issued a press release detailing the outcome of a fax vote. There's a lot of guff in there about "detailed proposals" (i.e. "We have agreed to do nothing"), but here are the following changes of interest (my thoughts follow):

"Milles Pistes" Reconnaissance
Except for the first two events (Monaco and Sweden, where planning is already too advanced), the following event structure will be adopted.

Wednesday: first single-pass reconnaissance;
Thursday: balance of first reconnaissance (if any), scrutineering, shakedown, optional ceremonial start;
Friday: second single-pass reconnaissance of Friday stages, followed by Friday stages themselves;
Saturday: second single-pass reconnaissance of Saturday stages, followed by Saturday stages themselves
Sunday: second single-pass reconnaissance of Sunday stages, followed by Sunday stages themselves.

Events where this structure will result in a day which is too lengthy can apply for a waiver for reduced stage mileage.

All competitors will use either absolutely standard road cars or their rally cars for all reconnaissance. Gravel cars will no longer be allowed.

Manufacturers’ team structure
Currently, manufacturer points are scored by the best two results from three cars entered. From 2004 manufacturer points will be scored by two-car teams with both results counting. This will lower the barrier to new manufacturers, reduce the differential between the well and not so well financed teams and create a more level playing field.

2004 Calendar
Code: 
Monte Carlo    January 23, 24, 25
Sweden         February 6, 7, 8
Mexico         March 12, 13, 14
Argentina      April 30, May 1, 2
Cyprus         May 14, 15, 16
Greece         May 28, 29, 30
Turkey         June 25, 26, 27
New Zealand    July 16, 17, 18
Finland        August 6, 7, 8
Germany        August 20, 21, 22
Japan          September 3, 4, 5
Great Britain  September 17, 18, 19
Italy          October 1, 2, 3
France         October 15, 16, 17
Spain          October 29, 30, 31
Australia      November 12, 13, 14
 
Well, that's going to set the cat amongst the pigeons!

16 rounds in the 2004 series? More is better! But a finale at Australia, and an earlier Rally GB continues the trend to make events easier, in my view. In both cases, the switch brings more temperate weather, particularly so for Rally GB, which is in 53 weeks' time. Currently, it's glorious weather outside, and I always thought that one of the charms of Rally GB was the foul weather. Oh well. New events in Mexico and Japan should be interesting.

This business about 3rd drivers and Manufacturer's Points has been a complete shambles. I don't think anyone cares about the Manufacturer's Championship anyway, but this has led to a huge loss of clarity, which I don't think WRC needed.

Milles Pistes I'm not sure what to think. I guess that someone's going to complain, whatever happens.
 
Havent they just done away with the 3rd driver rule now? I read somewhere that freddie loix was contracted to peugot, only for the rule to fall away, leaving him without a drive.
 
It was either 14 rounds and 3 cars or 16 rounds and 2 cars. Money doesn't grow on trees.
Not even for Corrado Provera. :p
 

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