Finland returns as World RX reveals calendar with three double-headers.

Event winner foust leads Timur Timerzyanov.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Championship.

The FIA World Rallycross Championship has formally announced the return of Finland to the 2020 calendar, and a trio of double-header events.  

Due to the delayed start of the World Rallycross Championship season, the event format for the first three weekends (Sweden, Finland, and Latvia) includes two separate rounds condensed into two days, both of which will be awarded full World Championship points.

These changes were announced in conjunction with the formal confirmation that World RX will return to Finland after six years. In addition to this, the World RX has also confirmed that Abu Dhabi will host a single event rather than a double-header as previously announced.

The newly added CapitalBox World Rallycross of Finland will form rounds three and four of the championship that is now projected to take place over eight weekends from August to December.

Finland last featured in World RX in 2014 when the fourth round of that year’s FIA World Rallycross Championship was run on the undulating track at Kouvola. The event was won by Tanner Foust, the first American to win a round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

"I’m delighted that we can add events in Finland. Everything from the initial idea, to getting a contract, has taken just a few weeks and illustrates the best kind of lateral thinking and cooperation from the event organiser, our World RX competitors, the IMG World RX team and the FIA to recognise an opportunity and make the most of it," said Paul Bellamy, Senior Vice President of motorsports events at IMG.

IMG, World RX rights holders issued a statement regarding the attendance of spectators in 2020. The statement read: "All events in 2020 will run within the prevailing national health and safety requirements for mass gatherings and individual event organisers will provide information on spectator attendance closer to their race date."

“Our main focus is to organise a great event for the competitors, and at the same time to take care of the safety of the participants, with all the necessary restrictions," said SET Promotion’s Event Manager, Sami Puumalainen. "It’s great to get World Rallycross back to Finland after such a long break. We know that many teams and drivers have good memories of the Kouvola circuit; we will do our best to make this one a great and memorable event too." 

The Finnish event will be run behind closed doors and without spectators.

Provisional FIA World Rallycross Championship 2020:

1. Sweden, Höljes, August 22-23 (two rounds in one weekend)

2. Finland, Kouvola, August 29-30 (two rounds in one weekend)

3. Latvia, Riga, September 19-20 (two rounds in one weekend)

4. Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps, October 3-4

5. Portugal, Montalagre, October 10-11

6. Spain, Barcelona, ​​October 17-18

7. United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, October 30-31

8. Germany, Nürburgring, December 12-13

*Subject to FIA approval

Written By - Junaid Samodien