The calendar for the remainder of this year’s World Rally Championship is – according to series insiders – likely to take another turn this week as Rally Turkey’s future is decided.
The Marmaris-based event is understood to be working to a timetable which will deliver a decision on whether or not it will run in its intended September 24-27 date.
One source told DirtFish: “From what we can understand, this isn’t a coronavirus thing, this is more to do with backing for the event.”
Backed by the Turkish government, the rally is in its third year of a current three-year WRC agreement.
Turkey was previously on the calendar from 2003 to 2006, as well as in 2008 and 2010 after one year as an Intercontinental Rally Challenge round. The event has no renewed contract in place with WRC Promoter for next season.
Rally Turkey’s website still doesn’t feature Rally Guide 1 and much of the detail on the site relates to last year’s event, despite the start of the rally being just two months away.
Officials from the rally have declined to comment on speculation relating to a date change – Ypres Rally organizers had requested Turkey move forward by one week to facilitate logistics to include the Belgian classic – or the event’s immediate future.
Following September’s planned rallies in Estonia and Turkey, the WRC is set to conclude its shortened eight-round season with Rally Germany (October 15-18), Rally Italy Sardinia (October 29 – November 1) and the return of Rally Japan (November 19-22).
Should Turkey not be able to take up its calendar slot, Ypres or an asphalt rally in Croatia are the most likely replacements.
