Rally GB may move to September

Mud, snow, rain and short daylight hours may no longer be features of Rally GB after this year's running of the event if rumours from high office are to be believed, as a move to being held in September would transform the nature of the long-standing event at a stroke.

FIA Rallies Commission president Shekhar Mehta told Autosport magazine that "there's almost unanimous approval for moving the rally to September."

He continued: "Such a move would change the whole way the rally is run. We'd have extended daylight hours, which would be better for spectator safety and media coverage, and we'd lessen the chances of people having to stand in six inches of mud. We saw with the good weather last year what a positive effect it could have on the event."

The benefits are obvious, but this date change would mean tha Rally GB would no longer be the championship finale. Wales Rally GB boss Tim Foster suggested that there are both pros and cons to the date change, saying: "Being the climax of the championship has brought tremendous drama in the past, but equally trying to make Margam Park look attractive in gale force winds wasn't so good." Rally Australia is thought to be making a pitch to become the WRC's final round.