2017 World Rally Championship-3
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The 2017 FIA World Rally Championship-3 was the fifth season of the
2013.[1]
Drivers and teams had to nominate a maximum of seven events, the best six results counted towards the championship.[2]
Simone Tempestini did not return to defend the
Ford Fiesta R2T.[4]
Calendar
The season was contested over thirteen rounds in Europe, the Americas and Oceania.[5][6]
| Round | Dates | Rally name | Rally headquarters | Rally details | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Finish | Surface | Stages | Distance | ||||
| 1 | 19 January | 22 January |  Monte Carlo Rally
|
Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France | Mixed[N 1] | 15[N 2] | 355.96 km | |
| 2 | 9 February | 12 February |  Rally Sweden
|
Torsby, Värmland | Snow | 17[N 3] | 305.83 km | |
| 3 | 9 March | 12 March |  Rally Mexico
|
León, Guanajuato | Gravel | 17[N 4] | 231.25 km | |
| 4 | 7 April | 9 April |  Tour de Corse
|
Bastia, Haute-Corse | Tarmac | 10 | 316.76 km | |
| 5 | 27 April | 30 April |  Rally Argentina
|
Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba | Gravel | 18 | 356.49 km | |
| 6 | 18 May | 21 May |  Rally de Portugal
|
Matosinhos, Porto | Gravel | 19 | 349.17 km | |
| 7 | 8 June | 11 June |  Rally Italia Sardegna
|
Alghero, Sardinia | Gravel | 19 | 312.66 km | |
| 8 | 29 June | 2 July |  Rally Poland
|
Warmia-Masuria
|
Gravel | 22[N 5] | 338.34 km | |
| 9 | 27 July | 30 July |  Rally Finland
|
Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi | Gravel | 25 | 315.62 km | |
| 10 | 17 August | 20 August |  Rallye Deutschland
|
Saarbrücken, Saarland | Tarmac | 21 | 309.17 km | |
| 11 | 6 October | 8 October | Rally Catalunya
|
Salou, Tarragona | Mixed[N 6] | 19 | 312.02 km | |
| 12 | 26 October | 29 October |  Wales Rally GB
|
Deeside, Flintshire | Gravel | 20 | 306.13 km | |
| 13 | 17 November | 19 November |  Rally Australia
|
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales | Gravel | 19[N 7] | 287.68 km | |
| Source:[5][6][15][16] | ||||||||
Calendar changes
The FIA re-organised the calendar for the 2017 season to include a greater variation in surfaces between events, bringing the Tour de Corse forward from October to April.[5][17] The decision was made after concerns were expressed about the 2016 calendar, which originally contained six consecutive gravel events followed by four tarmac rallies.[18]
The
Rally of China was removed from the calendar.[6] The event had been included on the 2016 calendar before storm damage to the proposed route forced its cancellation.[18] The round was removed from the 2017 calendar to give event organisers more time to prepare for a future bid to rejoin the calendar.[19] Similarly, the FIA put the Rallies of Argentina and Poland on notice regarding safety concerns, threatening to rescind their World Championship status for the 2017 season unless safety standards were improved in 2016,[20][21][22] with drivers citing a lack of safety marshalls and expressing concerns over spectators getting too close to the cars as the main areas to be addressed.[23] Both events were subsequently included on the calendar.[5][6]
The
Route changes
The Rallye Monte-Carlo introduced a heavily revised itinerary, with eighty-five percent of the route used in 2016 being revised for the 2017 event,[24] which saw the competitive distance increase from 337.59 km to 382.65 km and included the Col de Turini as part of the Power Stage.[24] Rally Sweden adjusted its route to remove the emphasis on purpose-built stages that had filled out the event itinerary in previous years. The new route raised the average speed of the rally and introduced more competitive mileage in Hedmark County in neighbouring Norway.[25]
Rally Portugal shortened its route by twenty kilometres, reintroducing stages that had not been used for several years and reconfiguring stages from the 2016 event.[29] Rally Poland also revised its route, introducing a series of brand-new stages close to the Russian border. The changes saw the crews compete on a wider ranges of surfaces—including tarmac and cobblestones—within individual stages, although the rally was still officially classified as a gravel surface event.[30]
Following the cancellation of stages in Rally Sweden when the front-running cars exceeded the maximum average speed mandated by the FIA,[10] Rally Finland was forced to revise its route to find ways of keeping the average stage speed down—with some estimates predicting that the 2017 generation of cars could exceed 140 km/h (87.0 mph)—to avoid stage cancellations.[31] This was achieved by installing artificial chicanes into all but two of the stages, which proved to be controversial as drivers complained that they were too narrow and thus had the potential to damage cars, and were poorly-positioned with little regulatory oversight from rally organisers.[32] With Rallye Deutschland moving to a new headquarters, the rally routed was revised. The vineyard and military proving ground stages in the Baumholder region were retained, but the final leg of the route was changed to introduce high-speed stages based on country lanes.[16]
Rally Catalunya introduced several new and returning stages to its route, focusing on the tarmac legs of the event.[33] Organisers of the Wales Rally GB retained the event route used in 2016, but revised the itinerary to increase its difficulty, with the route featuring earlier start times, later finishes and the reintroduction of night stages.[34] Rally Australia underwent route revisions, introducing a new loop of stages north of the rally headquarters in Coffs Harbour. The new stages were designed to be faster and more technical than in previous events.[35]
Teams and drivers
Season report
The season started with the Rallye Monte Carlo. In the category, there were six entries, including four by Renault Sport. The rally was won from start to end by Raphaël Astier, winning by more than nine minutes over the rest of the crews. The podium was completed by Renault's Luca Panzani and Charles Martin.[47]
Louise Cook was the sole entrant for Rally Sweden in the category. She had to retire after losing the bumper of her car before the Colin's Crest jump during the second pass over the Vargåsen stage.[48] She was able to re-assemble the car, but an homologation problem in the spare seat brackets, made her unable to start the final leg of the rally, leaving the category with no winner.[49]
After there were no entries in Rally Mexico, the action continued Tour de Corse, which also featured the first round of the Junior championship. Raphaël Astier lead the event from start to finish, winning the event by almost a minute and a half from Junior entrant Nil Solans. The podium was completed by local Nicolas Ciamin, who claimed to that position after a driveshaft problem prevented fellow Frenchman Terry Folb the means to finish in the podium.[50]
Results and standings
Season summary
| Round | Event name | Winning driver | Winning co-driver | Winning entry | Winning car | Winning time | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rallye Monte Carlo
|
Raphaël Astier
|
Frédéric Vauclare
|
CHL Sport Auto
|
Peugeot 208 R2
|
4:39:55.8 | Report |
| 2 | Rally Sweden
|
No WRC-3 finishers | Report | ||||
| 3 | Rally Mexico
|
No WRC-3 entries | Report | ||||
| 4 | Tour de Corse
|
Raphaël Astier
|
Frédéric Vauclare
|
CHL Sport Auto
|
Peugeot 208 R2
|
3:52:18.7 | Report |
| 5 | Rally Argentina
|
No WRC-3 entries | Report | ||||
| 6 | Rally de Portugal
|
Francisco Name
|
Armando Zapata
|
Name-Rua Racing Team
|
Citroën DS3 R3T
|
4:37:20.7 | Report |
| 7 | Rally Italia Sardegna
|
 Nil Solans
|
Miquel Ibáñez
|
M-Sport
|
Ford Fiesta R2T | 4:00:07.8 | Report |
| 8 | Rally Poland
|
Nil Solans
|
Miquel Ibáñez
|
M-Sport
|
Ford Fiesta R2T | 3:17:47.0 | Report |
| 9 | Rally Finland
|
Nicolas Ciamin
|
Thibault de la Haye
|
M-Sport
|
Ford Fiesta R2T | 2:57:23.4 | Report |
| 10 | Rallye Deutschland
|
Julius Tannert
|
 Jürgen Heigl
|
ADAC Sachsen
|
Ford Fiesta R2T | 3:30:54.4 | Report |
| 11 | Rally Catalunya
|
Nil Solans
|
Miquel Ibáñez
|
M-Sport
|
Ford Fiesta R2T | 3:29:02.3 | Report
|
| 12 | Wales Rally GB
|
Raphaël Astier
|
Frédéric Vauclare
|
CHL Sport Auto
|
Peugeot 208 R2
|
3:45:26.7 | Report |
| 13 | Rally Australia
|
No WRC-3 entries | Report | ||||
FIA World Rally Championship-3 for Drivers
Points are awarded to the top ten classified finishers.
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
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FIA World Rally Championship-3 for Co-Drivers
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FIA World Rally Championship-3 for Teams
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Notes
- Rallye Monte Carlowas run on a tarmac and snow surface.
- ^ Rally Sweden was shortened when the second pass over the Knon stage was cancelled on the advice of the FIA as the leading drivers exceeded the maximum average stage speed of 130 km/h (80.8 mph) during the first run through the stage.[10]
- ^ Rally Mexico had its route shortened when a highway accident prevented the cars being transported to León in time for the start of the first stages.[11]
- ^ The sixth stage of Rally Poland was cancelled after heavy rains in the region created large puddles of standing water on the stage which was subsequently deemed too dangerous.[12]
- Rally Catalunyawas run on a tarmac and gravel surface.
- ^ Rally Australia had its route shortened after a bridge in the Newry stage was found to be damaged, making the second pass over the stage impossible to complete.[13] The penultimate stage, Pilbara Reverse 2, was also cancelled after heavy rain made conditions unsafe.[14]
References
- ^ "2013 FIA World Rally Championship Sporting Regulations" (PDF). fia.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ "The WRC Lowdown: Support Championships". wrc.com. 10 January 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
- ^ "Tempestini:Corsica challenge was tough". WRC.com. WRC.com. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
- ^ "Nil Solans WRC-3 champion". WRC.com. WRC.com. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "2017 WRC dates confirmed". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ a b c d "FIA Announces World Motorsport Council Decisions". FIA.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ Benyon, Jack; Evans, David (19 January 2017). "Hayden Paddon crash halts Monte Carlo Rally's opening stage". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ^ "Spectator dies in tragic start to Monte Carlo Rally". speedcafe.com. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ^ "Sebastien Ogier lands first victory of new WRC era". speedcafe.com. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ a b Benyon, Jack (11 February 2017). "Rally Sweden stage cancelled due to high speed of 2017 WRC cars". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ "WRC stars left carless in Mexico". speedcafe.com. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "Rally Poland — Day 1". 2017 World Rally Championship season. July 2017. WRC Promoter GmbH.
- ^ "Neuville in command after stage cancellation". Speedcafe. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ Howard, Tom (19 November 2017). "Heavy rain cancels penultimate Rally Aus stage". Speedcafe. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- ^ Evans, David; Beer, Matt (28 September 2016). "World Rally Championship only confirms partial 2017 calendar". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ a b c Evans, David (17 August 2017). "WRC crews say new Rally Germany route 'really boring'". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (20 September 2016). "Tour of Corsica set to get April slot in 2017 WRC schedule". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Rally China cancelled due to weather damage". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ Lomas, Gordon (17 December 2016). "WRC: More at stake than Aus v NZ for 2018". speedcafe.com. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ Evans, David (2 March 2016). "FIA taking hard line on WRC Rally Argentina safety". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ Evans, David. "Rally Argentina under FIA observation after 2015 safety failings". autosport.com. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
- ^ Evans, David (30 June 2016). "Rally Poland under pressure to prove safety to ensure WRC future". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
- ^ Evans, David (15 December 2016). "WRC drivers want Rally Poland safety improvements for 2017". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Rallye Monte Carlo preview". 2017 World Rally Championship season. January 2017. WRC Promoter GmbH.
- ^ "Rally Sweden — Day 1". 2017 World Rally Championship season. February 2017. WRC Promoter GmbH.
- ^ Evans, David (31 December 2016). "Mexico drops World Rally Championship's longest stage for 2017". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (25 January 2017). "Rally Mexico adds stage around Bond film venue in Mexico City". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- ^ "Corsica route 2017". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ "Rally Portugal review — Day 3". 2017 World Rally Championship season. May 2017. WRC Promoter GmbH.
- ^ "Rally Poland — Day 2". 2017 World Rally Championship season. July 2017. WRC Promoter GmbH.
- ^ Evans, David (4 April 2017). "Rally Finland set to slow its stages for 2017 World Rally Cars". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- ^ "Drivers slam 'stupid' Rally Finland chicanes". speedcafe.com. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
- ^ "Rally Catalunya preview". 2017 World Rally Championship season. September 2017. WRC Promoter GmbH.
- ^ Evans, David (24 May 2017). "Rally GB announces 2017 itinerary including return of night stages". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ "Organisers confirm new stages for Rally Australia". speedcafe.com. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ "Rallye Montecarlo Entry List" (PDF). acm.mc. Automobile Club Montecarlo. 2 January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
- ^ "Rally Sweden Entry List" (PDF). rallysweden.com. Rally Sweden. 16 January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ^ "FIA Monte Entry List". FIA.com. FIA. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- ^ "Tour de Corse Entry List" (PDF). tourdecorse.com. tourdecorse.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
- ^ "Rally Portugal Entry List" (PDF). rallyportugal.py. rallyportugal.pt. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "Rally Italia Entry List" (PDF). rallylink.it. Rallylink. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
- ^ "Rally Poland Entry List" (PDF). rajdpolski.pl. rajdpolski.pl. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Rally Finland Entry List" (PDF). nesterallyfinland.fi. nesterallyfinland.fi. Retrieved 30 June 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Rallye Deutschalnd Entry List" (PDF). adac-rallye-deutschland.de. adac-rallye-deutschland.de. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Rally Spain Entry List" (PDF). rallyracc.com. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Wales Rally GB Entry List" (PDF). walesrallygb.com. 6 October 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ "WRC-3 Monte Results". EWRC-Results.com. Shacki. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- ^ Louise, Cook. "Cook loose bumper". Twitter.com. Twitter.com. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ Louise, Cook. "Cook Homologation problem". Facebook.com. Facebook.com. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "Junior WRC in Corsica: Solans claims opener". WRC.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. Retrieved 13 April 2017.