Teams applaud new changes

Earlier this week, the WRC Commission unveiled a provisional 2005 calendar that is likely to stay set for three years, elected to scrap flexi-servicing and limit the number of mechanics in each team, while a definitive version of the restart system which has been trialled this year was decided - and the controversial Superally points system dropped.

Cars retiring from events will instead receive a five-minute penalty for every stage missed, but will be able to rejoin and be eligible to score points from the event. The merits of the system have been acknowledged following extensive debate over other systems, which awarded points each day. Rules to open up the schedules of events and cut costs for teams through changes to the technical and tyre regulations were also discussed.

"We have been working on this for some time," said Subaru team principal David Lapworth. "There is a strong consensus between the teams. What we have ended up with is something everyone is happy with. We've got some moves to reduce costs by making engines, transmissions and turbos last longer and reduce the number of spares. There are also measures to take out some of the exotic materials and testing reductions, as well as measures with the homologation process to slow down the rate of development."

Peugeot Sport boss Corrado Provera was pleased with the new format of the restart system: "The idea of having points given away each day, no matter what the amount, was not a good thing to do. I think for everyone the winner of the rally is the one who starts on Friday and finishes first on Sunday's last stage. The five-minute penalty for not finishing a stage is the best compromise."

Double world champion Carlos Sainz was also pleased that the WRC could now move forward in a positive direction: "It's good for the organisers, the public and the TV [to have cars re-joining]. Five minutes is quite a lot. As soon as you are a bit unlucky, you can forget about drivers' points, but maybe you can score some manufacturers' points. This way we still have one winner, the character of rallying will not change and it's easier to explain what's happening."