Marcello Lotti, the General Manager of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, has said the inclusion of two new countries, France (Corsica) and Hungary, plus a new event in Argentina on next season’s IRC calendar will ensure the series continues to go from strength to strength.
Speaking following the publication of the 2011 IRC schedule, Lotti said: “The IRC continues to go from strength and the addition of two new territories to the calendar, Corsica and Hungary, will ensure the interest and excitement is maintained when the IRC turns five in 2011.
“Both events are unchartered territory for the IRC but both enjoy significant public interest and this will only multiply when they play host to the IRC. We hope that confirmation of these new events plus more groundbreaking live television coverage will be just some of the highlights on offer in next season’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge.”
Next season’s IRC calendar will once again start with the famous Rallye Monte-Carlo and conclude with the Cyprus Rally, which will be run over mixed surfaces. The full schedule is as follows:
2011 IRC calendar*
01 19-22 January (Monaco): Rallye Monte-Carlo (Asphalt)
02 04-06 March (Argentina): Rally de los Alerces** (Gravel)
03 14-16 April (Spain): Rally Islas Canarias Trofeo El Corte Ingles (Asphalt)
04 06-08 May (France): Tour de Corse (Asphalt)
05 23-25 June (Belgium): Geko Ypres Rally (Asphalt)
06 14-16 July (Portugal): Sata Rallye Acores (Gravel)
07 04-06 August (Portugal): Rali Vinho Madeira (Asphalt)
08 26-28 August (Czech Republic): Barum Czech Rally Zlin (Asphalt)
09 09-11 September (Hungary): Mecsek Rallye (Asphalt/gravel)
10 22-24 September (Italy): Rallye Sanremo (Asphalt)
11 14-16 October (Scotland): RACMSA Rally of Scotland (Gravel)
12 03-05 November (Cyprus): Cyprus Rally (Asphalt/gravel)
*Subject to FIA approval
**Subject to signing the Promoter’s agreement
– Credit: ww.ircseries.com