Rally-eMag 014 December 2013 | Page 9

Rally-eMag December 2013 / News This month’s wrap up ERC 2014 Calendar Jännerrally (Austria) Rally Liepaja (Latvia) Sibiu Rally Romania Acropolis Rally (Greece) Circuit of Ireland SATA Rallye Açores Ypres Rally (Belgium) auto24 Rally Estonia Barum Czech Rally Zlín Cyprus Rally Rallye du Valais (Switzerland) Tour de Corse (France) (All dates are finish dates) 9/64 Hyundai joins WRC 05 January 02 February 01 March 30 March 19 April 17 May 21 June 19 July 31 August 21 September 25 October 8 November The FIA ERC calendar has been published and it must be said, it looks mighty interesting. WRC Dropout Acropolis has been added to the calender although it’s a shame to see Sanremo disappear. There will be special ‘Masters series’ this year too for the Ice, Gravel and Tarmac rallies. First up is the ‘Ice Master’. The driver with the most points after the opening three rounds (all held in ice/ snow conditions) will claim the Ice Master title. Image: FIA ERC Image: Hyundai Motorsport Hyundai Motorsport presented its WRC assault this month. The team will be back by Shell as its main sponsor and run under the official name Hyundai Shell World Rally Team. The introduction of Shell as a title sponsor was more good news as yet another world known brand committed itself to the WRC. number of drivers. Dani Sordo will be the first to get a taste of the action as he will partner Neuville in Monte Carlo. After that not much is confirmed but it seems likely that Juho Hänninen will do Rally Sweden. Chris Atkinson will also get selected outings in the new car and is confirmed for rally Australia. No word yet on a program for Bryan Bouffier despite the test efforts The drivers for the 2014 season were the Frenchman put in. presented as well although some doubt remains as to who will do which rallies What we do know is that the car looks the exactly. Thierry Neuville is their number deal. It’s aggresive and the Shell sponsorone and will do the full season. A second ship definitely adds something. We can’t Hyundai i20 WRC will be available for a wait to see what it can do on the stages!