ERC
It’s Qualifying with a difference in the ERC
The FIA European Rally Championship is introducing a new Qualifying Stage feature for 2026, starting with this week’s 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site.
In order to highlight the importance of the Qualifying Stage and the potentially decisive impact it can have on the outcome of a rally, the driver and co-driver setting the fastest time will visit the Qualifying Stage Hot Zone following their run.
They will then remain on the Hot Zone until their benchmark effort is eclipsed by another crew, with a trophy presented to the eventual Qualifying Stage winner once the final car has completed its run.
Qualifying Stage winners will receive this trophy
© ERC
In a further exciting development, the Qualifying Stage will be broadcast live and free on the FIA’s official YouTube channel with the trophy presentation concluding the coverage.
Rami Virtanen, the ERC championship manager said: “The Qualifying Stage is a key feature of an ERC weekend, with its importance potentially huge due to the fact the winner will secure what, in theory, is the most advantageous road position for the opening leg of an event. That’s why the overall length was extended to a minimum of six kilometres for the 2025 season and why these changes for 2026 are a further reflection of the significance of the Qualifying Stage in the ERC.”
The Qualifying Stage is a key feature of an ERC weekend
The Qualifying Stage of the 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site gets under way at 12:01 local time over the 6.38-kilometre Los Villares test, which is located 20 kilometres north of event base Córdoba.
