Eight of those rounds will take place in Europe, whereas the other 2 are to be scheduled outside the Old Continent. In addition to the 10-round series, the FIA also created the WRC Cup for S2000 Teams, to run in parallel with the former championship.
“From January 2010, there will be a Super 2000 World Rally Championship for Drivers. The number of qualifying rallies is 10, and at the time of registration the entrant must nominate seven rallies, including two outside Europe, in which to score points. This Championship is in addition to the WRC Cup for S2000 Teams,” said the FIA statement.
The FIA also announced that 1.6 turbo engines will enter the series in 2011.
“From 2011, S2000 cars (1.6L turbo and 2.0L normally aspirated) and Group N cars will be eligible for the WRC and all FIA Regional Rally Championships. In addition, from 2011, all new homologations of S2000 cars must be fitted with a 1.6L turbo engine,” added the press release.
Furthermore, the WRC drivers will benefit from a brand new helmet in 2010, which took designers no less than 8 years to complete.
“The helmet,(...) provides drivers with increased protection in all key impact areas. It absorbs 50 per cent more impact energy and has improved load spreading during side impact accidents. It also resists 30 per cent more penetration energy and provides up to 30 per cent more protection against injury caused by excessive rotational accelerations.”
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