The council made several key decisions across various motorsport categories. Among them was one likely to bring particular joy to Jari-Matti Latvala, the team principal of Toyota’s WRC team. Starting next season, it will be possible to compete in FIA historic rallies, such as the European Championship for historic rally cars, with slightly newer vehicles.
The council outlined that from the 2025 season onwards, cars built between 1991 and 2000 will be eligible for FIA-organised historic events. Latvala has long expressed his wish to compete in the historic championship with his Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185, which has not been possible until now.
“These changes mean that, from 2025, racing cars built between the years 1991 and 2000 will be able to carry the Historic Technical Passports that allow them to compete in FIA championships and international motor sport events,” the FIA announced on their website. “This update will bring many of the world’s most iconic race and rally cars back into the crucible of motor sport, allowing fans and enthusiasts to enjoy the sights and sounds of what was a remarkable decade of technological advancement..”
The mid-90s Group A era featured cars like the Subaru Impreza, which became synonymous with the late Colin McRae. Mitsubishi Lancer, Ford Escort Cosworth, and iconic models from Toyota and Lancia were also highly successful during this period.
The update will also allow for the inclusion of WRC cars in historic events, meaning fans could soon see legends like the Toyota Corolla WRC, Subaru Impreza WRC, Ford Focus WRC, and Peugeot 206 WRC from the start of the WRC era in 1997.
The council also made another key decision related to the WRC, permitting remote services during event days instead of returning to the traditional service park for tire changes. This change will provide rally route planners with more flexibility and support teams by enabling them to keep cars in the rally for longer through strategic servicing.
