Rally Great Briton executive Andrew Coe is hoping the decision not to debate the World Rally Championship calendar at last week’s Witt Commission meeting will buy the event time to save Britain’s round of the series.
Rally GB’s Cardiff agreement is up after this season and finding either an extension to that contract or a replacement is vital for Britain retaining its WRC round. The decision not to discuss the calendar at the Commission meeting was taken to offer WRC promoter North One Sport time to conclude outstanding calendar issues.
“1 can’t make any predictions about when we can have an agreement in place,” said Coe.
“We’re working as hard as possible right now. The fact that it doesn’t appear that the lendar will be discussed before next month could help us by giving us more time to get something finalized.”
North One Sports’ Simon Long said: “All of the parties agreed that we need more time to discuss the calendar to get it absolutely right. The WRC can’t avoid any wasted years; it’s vital we get this right. There are one or two questions outstanding regarding events that are in the frame for a calendar place.”
Long refused to be drawn on whether Rally GB is one of the events.
“We’re in discussion with the MSA,” he added. “And we’re hoping for a positive outcome from their own negotiations for a host venue. This is an uncertainty for the event.”
