Two major changes in the new regulation

The World Council today ratified some changes to the regulations for the next two seasons. The top fifteen will start in the order of their ranking starting in 2008, and mixed events will make their return in 2009!

The two biggest decisions of this World Council are steps backward. From the start of the 2008 season, the starting orders will be based on the rally standings for the second and third days. Therefore, there will no longer be an inversion of the top fifteen in the overall standings. These new old rules will undoubtedly allow the return of tactics to follow throughout the weekend. A strategy will necessarily come into effect.

Second important point: the return to mixed events from the 2009 season, provided that only one surface is used for two consecutive days.

Starting in 2008, the word stage is replaced by day and a ten-minute service park will be mandatory before the finish podium.

Finally, for the 2009 season, the length of the rallies will be increased from 360 to 400 kilometers.

It is also important to remember that Pirelli, the Italian manufacturer, will become the sole tire supplier in 2008. BFGoodrich, a subsidiary of Michelin, will therefore be forced to leave the discipline at the end of the season.

According to a WRC statement