The mystery of Abu Dhabi's WRC loss
Major World Rally Championship sponsor Abu Dhabi's sporting body has conspired to prevent its own national event becoming part of the series next year. David Evans is as baffled as he is disappointed
The excitement was everywhere during Rally Argentina last week. The news was out: Monte was back. And the Abu Dhabi deal was sorted. A year book-ended by the classic of classics and the coming event of the World Rally Championship was a massive reason to be cheerful in South America.
And then came the World Motor Sport Council last Friday.
In fact, from what I'm told, Abu Dhabi didn't even get to the table to be discussed. Rally Abu Dhabi was sunk the night before the WMSC meeting, when - allegedly - the FIA was informed by the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates that Abu Dhabi wasn't ready to run a round of the championship.
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