The World Rally Championship is undergoing significant changes. The FIA introduced a host of reforms in February, set to be implemented as early as next year.
The WRC is moving away from hybrid units, and the costs of cars are being reduced in other ways as well.
One major change is the return of remote service areas. Fixed service parks will no longer be seen at rallies, further reducing overall costs.
The proposed changes have been met with both praise and criticism. Emil Lindholm is fundamentally positive about the planned changes.
“Actually, it now provides options for how to compete in the main class of the WRC in the future. Which is a good thing, as hybrids have been too expensive,” Lindholm told RallyJournal.com.
“But then it also means that the Rally2 is dying. What’s the point of running Rally2s when the Rally2-plus is probably going to be about the same price,” Lindholm continued.
The aim of the changes is to reduce costs and attract more manufacturers and thereby more drivers. However, Lindholm estimates that costs will increase in the smaller classes.
“It will definitely raise the costs for juniors, but then on the other hand, we will be in the main class, and getting funding will definitely be easier than now,” Lindholm speculated.
The WRC2 is intended to be brought closer to the main class. A so-called WRC kit has been devised as a solution.
“I think the idea is to make the second class cars as powerful and fast as the first-class cars,” Lindholm said.
This change is a positive one in Lindholm’s view.
“I’ve always thought that the second-class cars are really nice, they just needed a bit more power. Now they’re getting more power, and that’s exactly what was needed,” Lindholm stated.
The rest of the season’s schedule is not yet finalized
Emil Lindholm last competed in the WRC in February in Sweden. The next event is already known.
“Croatia is next for us, that’s clear. The rest isn’t fully locked in yet. Of course, there are a lot of fast gravel rallies in the summer. They always suit us Finns well. We’ll see after Croatia,” Lindholm planned.
Lindholm performed promisingly in last year’s Central European Rally, giving hope for success in Croatia as well.
“It’s a great event. Last year, the Central European Rally went well until that sad Sunday morning. Croatia, at least on paper, looks like a rally that could suit our team very well,” Lindholm anticipated for the rally scheduled in April.
