IRC - Intercontinental Rally Challenge


Thursday, July 24, 2008

More IRC news from Yahoo! Eurosport

1. Who is eligible to join the Intercontinental Rally Challenge?

Any driver in an eligible car made by any IRC-registered manufacturer can compete in the series. The eligible cars have to fall into one of the following categories:

- Super 2000 and Group N
- Group A up to class A7 (2000cc).

2. How does the points system work?

Before every rally, a list of the IRC-eligible competitors will be drawn up. At the finish, points will be allocated to those drivers using the standard FIA system (i.e. 10 points for 1 st place down to 1 point for 8 th place). The manufacturer points will also be allocated using the standard FIA system. The highest-placed two cars from each manufacturer will be eligible to score points.

3. How are the championships decided at the end of the year?

There are nine rounds in total, and the best seven scores will be taken into account at the end of the year to decide the championship.

4. Does an IRC driver have to compete on all the rounds in order to be eligible for points?

No, a driver can pick and choose the events he or she would like to do and still score points. One-off appearances are also allowed.

5. What is the reasoning behind the calendar?

The nine-round calendar has been chosen to provide a mix of classic events (such as Safari and Sanremo) with innovative new rallies, like Russia and China. We believe that this offers competitors the best marketing opportunities within a traditional context. With a roughly even mix of gravel and asphalt, the IRC presents rallying at its spectacular best.

6. Which incentives exist for competing on the IRC?

On an IRC round, the IRC registered drivers are the main show and so receive the appropriate amount of publicity. Eurosport – Europe’s largest TV channel – will broadcast extensive coverage from every round, including several live shows, that will reach 110 million homes in 59 countries across the world. In addition, there will be innovative on and off event publicity for every round.

7. What is the philosophy behind the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and who is behind it?

The philosophy behind the series is to provide a thrilling and marketable spectacle in the most relevant areas at an acceptable cost. This is essentially the thinking behind the slogan new rally, new generation. The championship is organised and promoted by SRW Events, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurosport.

8. How do I find out more or register?

The full sporting regulations can be found online on this website: please click here. Other sporting enquiries can be addressed to Nunzia Corvino at nunzia@ircseries.com. Media enquiries can be addressed to Anthony Peacock at media@ircseries.com (or telephone +44 7765 896930). Manufacturer or commercial enquiries can be addressed to SRW Events on +44 207 468 7746.