Extra Points for 2011 WRC Confirmed by the FIA

The latest meeting held by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Paris resulted in some interesting changes to the World Rally Championship rulebook. From a competitive standpoint at least, we'd argue that the most important change regards the extra points to be awarded for the fastest driver and co-driver of each round.

“Commencing 2011 each World Rally Championship (WRC) event must include one special stage on the final day for the purpose of enhancing television coverage. The fastest drivers and co-drivers will be awarded additional points (3-2-1) in accordance with the general classification of this stage,” said the FIA press release on Wednesday.

This way, all the drivers will fight until the chequered flag to grab the extra points, rather than loosen up and conserve their advantage until the finish line. Another interesting change is that “commencing from 2011, all cars will start special stages at one-minute intervals, to increase interest for spectators.”

Also, some new rules were confirmed for the FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship, and also the newly introduced FIA Production Car Cup for drivers of 2WD.

“An FIA Production Car Cup for drivers of 2WD cars entered in the Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC) will be introduced in 2011 to encourage competitors in Group R cars. At each round of the PWRC, a separate classification will be produced for the drivers of 2WD cars and points allocated according to the same scale as the Championship.”

“The Production Car Cup will be awarded to the driver who has scored the highest number of points. As entrants in the PWRC, drivers of 2WD cars must nominate their events from a list and can score points in both the PWRC and Production Car Cup.”

“From 2011, cars eligible to contest the FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship must have a normally aspirated engine with a cylinder capacity of less than 2000cc. There will be no FIA WRC Cup from 2011.”

“After the fourth event in the 2011 WRC calendar, Manufacturer and WRC Teams are permitted to use a maximum of two engines per car for the remaining nine events,” added the press release.

For the complete changes for 2011, click here.