German rally confirmed for 2002

As widely expected, next year's 14 round WRC calendar will include the German rally, further to high praise from the various WRC teams who entered the event this year and confirmation of the decision by the World Rallies Commission in August. Portugal has been dropped in favour of the German event, following a number of complaints by drivers and team bosses about its bad organisation and the wet weather conditions on this year's event.

From next year, WRC rounds will be limited to run a maximum of eight different stages a day with Legs one and two recommended to be completed by the first 15 cars at 1800 (local time), excluding super special stages. The final Leg is expected to finish by 1600 and a maximum of two service areas will be permitted during the event with one change of location, although a single service park is advised.

A third day of recceing has been added before all events, following complaints that with only two days the drivers had to rush. The draconian penalty of a one-year ban for any drivers caught recceing outside the allotted times was also reiterated by the World Council.

On the safety front, a medical delegate is to be appointed by motorsport's governing body, the FIA, for every world championship event. And from 2004, all WRC cars will expected to use FIA standard fuel.

The World Cup for Drivers of Production Cars, otherwise known as Group N cars, will become the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship with a maximum of 30 entries. The series will compete on eight WRC rounds with a minimum participation of six events. Cancellation of the FIA Teams Cup comes as no surprise after complaints from teams that it was not felt not to be attracting a high enough entry to make it viable.

Finally, the Super 1600 Championship has been renamed the FIA Junior World Championship for drivers. There will be a maximum of 30 entries in the six-round series, but the introduction of an age limit - which has yet to be announced but is expected to be 30 - will not be brought in until 2003.