IRC 2007 by oweh

19-Oct-06 08:48 AM 

The IRC (now called Intercontinental Rally Challenge) calendar for 2007 has been published:
9-11 March Safari Africa
24-26 May Russia Russia
22-23 June Ypres Belgium
2-4 August Madeira Portugal
24-26 August Barum Czech
27-29 September San Remo Italy
12-14 October Turchia Turkey
25-27 October Vallais Switzerland
23-25 November China China
(for details see http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~IRC--Nine-event-schedule-confirmed-for--07-~cid~26~id~139146.htm)

It includes two old friends from WRC, some known from ERC and some events I don't know anything about. I am particularly surprised about the rally in Switzerland, as I thought that motorsport was forbidden there. Maybe someone here can tell more about it.

What also surprises me about the series is that, although it was co-launched by eurosport, there is almost no coverage, there's not even an organizers website I could find. It's a pity as there seem to be big plans around, and it's difficult to find the current standings on the web.

 Re: IRC 2007 by RonSkoda

19-Oct-06 09:14 AM 

It is interesting indeed.

This year it was very low profile and had few entires but expect much more next year.

Eurosport have promised more coverage too.

Just hope they don't overdo it and go to more than 9 events. The selection they have now is good.

 Re: IRC 2007 by Chris B

19-Oct-06 04:55 PM 

It is actually a very good calendar, a better one than WRC!

What made you think motorsport was forbidden in Switzerland? In contrary, the Rallye du Valais is aclassic with many hilly, twisty, Alpine stages.

 Re: IRC 2007 by Thomas206wrc

20-Oct-06 04:35 AM 

From a newspaper today...Bryan Bouffier is aiming to take part to the IRC07 with the 207 S2000 he's developping and testing !!!

 Re: IRC 2007 by oweh

20-Oct-06 05:51 AM 

"What made you think motorsport was forbidden in Switzerland?"

I just knew they had some strange law since the tragic LeMans accident in 1955 were more than 80 spectators were killed. I googled a bit around and the details are: permanent circuits are not legal in Switzerland, so the rally is not affected. Doesn't really make sense from the point of view of spectator security, but there still is no intention to change this law.

The 207 in the IRC would be great. I heard VW are having a Polo S2000 rally car built by some outfit in Belgium. It would also be nice to see that car in IRC 07.

 Re: IRC 2007 by RonSkoda

20-Oct-06 05:54 AM 

The Polo is from South Africa but the Belgian team intend to run/develop it in Europe.

RED are doing something similar with the South African Toyota Corolla.

 Re: IRC 2007 by Chris B

21-Oct-06 10:09 AM 

I think Marc Duez was driving the Polo S2000 a couple of times in Belgium, but there was no success and the car wasn't seen again. The Belgians had the car from South Africa.

Thomas, interesting news with Bryan Bouffier and makes sense for him, the right next step from his carreer at Peugeot so far. I heard Gilles Panizzi is debuting the 207 on Rallye Antibes. Wonder which co-driver he will have.

 Re: IRC 2007 by Chris B

21-Oct-06 10:21 AM 

Seems my info was already outdated on Belgium Polo, with Loix running it in Condroz. Sorry.

 Re: IRC 2007 by Thomas206wrc

24-Oct-06 05:47 AM 

Now Gilles Panizzi would have found sponsor and money to run with a 207 also in IRC 2007(news from the IRC responsibles/organizers) !!!! :0)))


ChrisB, his new codriver is Freddy Delorme, not a french person, but from Monaco(like Daniel Elena, Loeb's codriver) ;0))

 Re: IRC 2007 by Chris B

24-Oct-06 12:50 AM 

Thanks for the info. I would have never guessed Freddy Delorme. There are a lot of high profile French navigators, Dominique Savignoni, Michel Perin, Philippe David, Patrick Pivato, would like to see Anne-Chantal Pauwels again, but Delorme so far was only with low profile drivers.

 Re: IRC 2007 by Martini Lancia

25-Oct-06 10:03 AM 

Fiat's IRC plans for 2007:

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2006/motorsport/rally/s2000/2007_calendar/2510.html

The most interesting paragraph is the last one...

 Re: IRC 2007 by RonSkoda

29-Oct-06 11:23 AM 

I am certainly expecting more entries and a better level of competition from the IRC next year than at this weekend's Rally Oz, 18mins covering the top 8!

 Re: IRC 2007 by Thomas206wrc

1-Dec-06 02:42 AM 

First team to officially announce its participation to the championship, Peugeot-Spain !!!!

Two 207 S2000 will be driven by promising Enrique Garcia Ojeda and a french driver(no name yet) on at least 8 rallies(on a total of 10)...

Good news !! :0))

 Re: IRC 2007 by RonSkoda

3-Dec-06 02:39 AM 

Thanks Thomas!

That is good news, I'm guessing the French driver could be Panizzi but I hope Bengue :)

 Re: IRC 2007 by RonSkoda

6-Dec-06 04:24 PM 

Much more info: http://www.rallye-info.com/article.asp?stid=5812